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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Margaret or Charlotte?

95 replies

cashmerexcat · 19/05/2023 16:16

Which name sounds better?

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MargotBamborough · 19/05/2023 20:21

I really like Margaret. It's really underused and has so many great nickname options. I also think it sounds stronger than Charlotte.

WishICouldSmile · 19/05/2023 20:19

Margaret

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 19/05/2023 20:19

Love Peggy, which fits with old lady unpopular but great names.

MotherOfVizslas · 19/05/2023 20:18

Margaret

Monkelmo · 19/05/2023 19:34

I like Margaret

Spidey66 · 19/05/2023 19:27

I prefer Charlotte.

Ps my dog is called Maggie but don't let that sway you!😉

Startyabastard · 19/05/2023 19:25

I know it's not the same name, but I know an 18 year old girl called 'Joyce' which I think is cruel but her sister has the name Charlotte, middle name Margaret which I think is ok because it is as a middle name.

itssquidstella · 19/05/2023 19:24

Margaret

helpmyskinplease · 19/05/2023 19:24

Also think Charlotte a bit overdone recently

helpmyskinplease · 19/05/2023 19:24

Don't like Margaret but LOVE Maggie

Fleur405 · 19/05/2023 19:20

I like both. I think Charlotte is a little boring these days though. Love Maggie as diminutive for Margaret.

ParistoMilan · 19/05/2023 19:18

Charlotte is lovely and my favourite of the full names. As little girls though Lottie v Maggie is probably about equal but as they go through teen/ adult years I think a Margaret has much better name choices. Charlotte as an adult is Charlotte or Charlie. Margaret as an adult is Margaret, Maggie, Daisy, Pearl, Mags, Margot, Greta, Peggy, Meg, etc.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one so it depends on you last name and the 'nickname' culture in your family.

NewNovember · 19/05/2023 19:16

Makes me think of Little Britain "Margaret" 🤣

Londonlady1423 · 19/05/2023 19:16

Out of the two I definitely prefer Charlotte, like others I find Margaret a bit harsh sounding. As an alternative I do like Martha

Beeswood · 19/05/2023 19:09

I prefer Charlotte.

toastofthetown · 19/05/2023 19:03

I prefer Margaret of the two. It's more interesting to me than the done to death Charlotte. It's strong, classic and I think you'd be ahead of the trend with Margaret. There's a plethora of more 'girly' diminutives (Maggie, Margot, Greta, Maisie, Daisy, Pearl) if she's not a fan of the name. And while Margaret isn't a popular name at the moment, there were over 100 Margarets registered in 2021 in England and Wales so some of the over the top reactions to the name being suggested in 2023 seem a bit out of place to me.

And as someone suggested Marguerite, I'll throw in Margarita.

Spcd · 19/05/2023 19:03

Margaret definitely.

WaltzingWaters · 19/05/2023 18:59

Charlotte. I don’t like Margaret at all, although I don’t mind Maggie.

GoodLies · 19/05/2023 18:57

I like Charlotte. Margaret is awful. I know a Margaret known as Maggie in her 50s and it seems harsh and old-fashioned even at her age.

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/05/2023 18:55

I quite like Margaret, or there is Marguerite

Charlotte is lovely but so overused that I wouldn’t

bakewellbride · 19/05/2023 18:54

I have a Charlotte.

RoseBucket · 19/05/2023 18:53

It would be lovely to bring Margaret back and lots of lovely nicknames from it.

MotherofPearl · 19/05/2023 18:51

Margaret is absolutely not an ugly name. I think it's a really strong, classic name (and much nicer than Charlotte).

Thatsshallot1967 · 19/05/2023 18:49

thatsn0tmyname · 19/05/2023 17:49

Consider Marguerite.

Yes consider this, op. Marguerite is wonderful. I'm afraid Margaret is rather dowdy (but loads of great nicknames) and reminds me of "MarGRIT!" old lady from Little Britain and MIL .

SwedishEdith · 19/05/2023 18:43

Don't think they're equivalents at all. Margaret is such an ugly name. And the Mags/Maggie shortenings are even worse. Rhyming with saggy, baggy, naggy, craggy. All harsh sounds.