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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name to honour Nan

38 replies

BBeep · 16/11/2023 08:01

My Nan's name was Betty Adah Louise. She died last month, a few days before I told everyone I'm pregnant... I was gutted I didn't get to tell her.
She was an amazing, big part of my life. I'd really like to honour her in our baby's name, whether it's a boy or a girl.
DH doesn't like any of those three names though and I'm not sure I do either really. Can you help me think of other names that are similar or somehow related? Like, Ava and Betsy. Or for example, if my Nan's name was the Italian name Marguerita, we could use Daisy as it's a translation, that kind of thing.

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theduchessofspork · 19/11/2023 09:28

Sealover123 · 16/11/2023 08:03

Elizabeth for a girl or Louis for a boy?

This

cheleuh · 17/11/2023 13:08

Since Betty comes from Elizabeth, what about another variation of Elizabeth? Isabel, Isabella, Eliza or Beth.

Or perhaps another Hebrew name as both Elizabeth and Adah are Hebrew. A few ideas are Hannah, Leah, Eve, Noah and Eli, but there are plenty more to choose from.

Another idea is to use her initials, BAL. For example, Bella Aurore Lucille or Benny Alexander Lane.

I hope that you find the perfect name in honour of your nan.

MabelMaybe · 17/11/2023 12:17

what was your grandmother's maiden name? One of my DC has my grandmother's maiden name as their middle name.

Original poster
BBeep · 17/11/2023 11:57

BBeep · 17/11/2023 11:46

Haha! Unfortunately, that's a personal decision, because I'm not honouring her for your benefit, but for mine 😊 so it honestly doesn't matter.

This was meant to be in reply to scruffington but it didn't quote for some reason

OP posts:
Original poster
BBeep · 17/11/2023 11:46

Haha! Unfortunately, that's a personal decision, because I'm not honouring her for your benefit, but for mine 😊 so it honestly doesn't matter.

OP posts:
RosaElize · 17/11/2023 11:17

Scruffington · 17/11/2023 10:32

if we name the child in honour of her, then it's in honour of her regardless of whether it's her actual name.

Nah

Of course it is

Scruffington · 17/11/2023 10:32

if we name the child in honour of her, then it's in honour of her regardless of whether it's her actual name.

Nah

Stylishnewmama · 17/11/2023 07:35

Could you use Betty as your baby's middle name if you have a girl? Honour makes tend to be middle names. If it's a boy you could go for Louis as a middle name, masculine version of Louise?

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 17/11/2023 02:42

Rita is a lovely first or middle name

sashh · 17/11/2023 01:48

Whiskerson · 16/11/2023 14:51

No way! That's crazy... May Pearl it is then!! 😂

Show quote history

I agree, May and Pearl are both great names.

In latin Pearl is Margarita.

SageRosemary · 17/11/2023 00:47

noooooooo · 16/11/2023 08:04

Beulah? Uses all her vowels😁 it’s nice to say, Biblical, not over-used. Congrats and sorry about your Nan, she’d be touched.

or Belinda?

Any of the 3 names would make a lovely middle name for a girl.

Louis for a boy. Or Philip, husband of Elizabeth. Or Ely, Eliot as male versions of Elizabeth

user1492757084 · 17/11/2023 00:03

What about Elizabeth - Betty is really cute actually.
Betty is due a resurgence.

cerisepanther73 · 16/11/2023 22:01

Congratulations ons pregnancy Op, !

Lou Betts, Ada
Aday, is a Scottish Galic and Spanish name,

traditional names are having a new found revival.!

Autumn 🍂 like Princess Ann's Grandchild

Ava

RosaElize · 16/11/2023 21:49

I love your suggestion of Bonnie Ava Eloise , and if I knew your nan’s name I’d immediately think it was for her

Whiskerson · 16/11/2023 14:51

BBeep · 16/11/2023 14:44

That's so funny. She was born in May and gave me her pearl necklace on my wedding day. Lovely ideas, thank you!

No way! That's crazy... May Pearl it is then!! 😂

Original poster
BBeep · 16/11/2023 14:44

That's so funny. She was born in May and gave me her pearl necklace on my wedding day. Lovely ideas, thank you!

OP posts:
Whiskerson · 16/11/2023 11:33

What about something that's not related to her name, but something else that reminds you of her? E.g. May if she was born in May, Pearl if she always wore a pearl ring, some spin on a place name where she lived or that had sentimental value to her....

Original poster
BBeep · 16/11/2023 11:13

Interesting answers here! Thanks for your input!
Those saying it's pointless trying to honour her by using a "sounds like" name, well, it doesn't really matter. If we feel like it honours her, then it does. So that's all fine.
For those asking, she was just Betty. I do like the idea of using Elizabeth! And I love the idea of something like Bonnie Ava Eloise, something that has a similar ring to it but isn't the same. Like I said, if we name the child in honour of her, then it's in honour of her regardless of whether it's her actual name.
Thank you for all the suggestions, my mind is even more open now. Lots to discuss with DH, especially when we find out the actual gender!

OP posts:
DuchessOfSausage · 16/11/2023 10:47

Not Elouise, it's horrible. Louise and Eloise are fine.

Riverlee · 16/11/2023 10:45

Elouise
Bettina
Adele

CherryMyBrandy · 16/11/2023 10:41

I think if you want to honour someone you have to use their actual name. Using a sounds like or similar meaning, or slightly different name, is just that. A different name. Bit pointless. If you aren't keen on the names I'd use one of her names as a middle name.

HerMammy · 16/11/2023 10:22

Betty is Elizabeth so plenty's scope there: Beth, Eliza, Lizzie,Lisbeth

Oxomoco · 16/11/2023 10:03

If your DH doesn’t like any of her names, I’d shelve the idea, or it’s just so tenuous it’s ridiculous.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 16/11/2023 10:01

You could honour her by using one of her names as a middle name, that way it's not used day to day but is still being used. I did something similar.

DuchessOfSausage · 16/11/2023 09:59

Initials are BAL - Balonz.

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