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Baby names

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

Original poster

Penny or Pearl?

62 replies

rhymeswithjello · 07/11/2023 04:59

In agony over choosing a name for my second DD! We've gone though thousands of possibilities and have whittled it down to two options, both with the middle name Rae.

Penny Rae
Pearl Rae

Which would you choose?!

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FourChimneys · 13/01/2024 14:14

Pearl sounds dreadful with my regional accent.

Penny is lovely imo. Maybe full name Penelope although I grew up with one who was shortened to Nelly. I like Polly too.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 13/01/2024 13:41

Penny is lovely. I personally dislike Pearl.

Rae isn´t my cup of tea but it it´s nice with Penny.
Pearl Rae doesn´t sound good (at all).

OwlWeiwei · 12/01/2024 12:39

Pearl is a brilliant name for a girl.

user1492757084 · 12/01/2024 11:03

Penny Rae.

Pearl Rae is too hard on the eyes - all those e a r.

Madeleine Rae
Philomena Rae
Lindsey Rae
Isobel Rae
Polly Rae
Priscilla Rae
Cilla Rae
Bridie Rae
Finty Rae
Nancy Rae

theduchessofspork · 12/01/2024 10:07

Penelope Rae nn Penny - Penny is a bit itsy bitsy as a full name

But if you can think of a different middle name then Pearl - Pearl Rae sounds like a fish or a deadly weapon

Philippa nn Pippa maybe ?

Petra

Ringshanks · 12/01/2024 08:25

I like Penny , fine on its own (that’s what we gave ) but I considered Aspen and Penrose x

peaceinourtime · 08/11/2023 12:01

Penny of the two, it is fine on its own it doesn’t have to be short for anything.

ChillysWaterBottle · 07/11/2023 23:11

Pearl is lovely but I'm biased as its my younger sister's name :)

MaloneMeadow · 07/11/2023 21:20

I really don’t like any of them, very twee and common.
Rae is Hebrew for female sheep! Not sure why you’d want to name your daughter after that

Shutyourcakehole · 07/11/2023 20:58

I'm not fond of either, but if I had to choose, I'd say Penny with Rae sounds much nicer.

I think Polly would be nice though.

Pearl sounds too dated imo. And not in the way that some old fashioned names have made a come back. I'd lump it in with the likes of Freda or Hilda, Jean or Silvia. One of those old names that'd never come back as a trendy old fashioned name...just old fashioned!

Mayhemmumma · 07/11/2023 20:51

Pearl

WetBandits · 07/11/2023 20:50

Penny and Pearl are both on my list! I also love Polly. Perhaps I just really like 5-letter P names.

I think Penny Rae flows better than Pearl Rae, so I would choose Penny as you are set on the middle name.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 07/11/2023 20:48

Julia Rae
Heidi Rae
Lily Rae
Cleo Rae
Olivia Rae
Leah Rae
Lilah Rae
Eden Rae
Megan Rae
Dulcie Rae
Poppy Rae
Polly Rae
Suki Rae
Else Rae
Patsy Rae
Georgia Rae
Kyrah Rae
Zoe Rae

FayCarew · 07/11/2023 14:33

Polly is great. Penny seems a bit plain but is ok. Pearl makes me think of Purl.

clarepetal · 07/11/2023 14:27

I prefer Penny

Roselilly36 · 07/11/2023 14:26

I like the name Penny, I also love Polly. Really don’t like Pearl, no idea why!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 07/11/2023 14:23

Pearl is lovely

Original poster
rhymeswithjello · 07/11/2023 14:16

but i dont love penelope. maybe i should start over 😂

OP posts:
boudiccathecat · 07/11/2023 14:08

Penny is short for Penelope.

CanIPetThatDawg · 07/11/2023 14:07

I like Penny, OP. I've always found Pearl to be a bit hard sounding.

CanIPetThatDawg · 07/11/2023 14:06

FayCarew · 07/11/2023 12:32

Sugar Rae
Destiny Rae
Billie Rae
Xanthe Rae
Calla Rae
Hiphiphoo Rae

are these meant to be funny?

Original poster
rhymeswithjello · 07/11/2023 14:04

i would love your suggestions! my other kids are Leo, Newell, and Coco

OP posts:
FayCarew · 07/11/2023 12:32

Sugar Rae
Destiny Rae
Billie Rae
Xanthe Rae
Calla Rae
Hiphiphoo Rae

FayCarew · 07/11/2023 12:29

we like nnn in the middle because it’s a family name.
Why is it that the filler middle name is always a family name? it's not like Rae Rose, May/Mae have been popular names in the past.

PurpleChrayne · 07/11/2023 12:29

Pearl with a different middle name.

Penny is a bit twee. Rae is try-hard.