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Baby names

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

Original poster

Phoebe sue?

37 replies

Babybirdmum · 20/12/2023 10:31

My mum is called sue so thought that would be a nice middle name, do you think it goes with a Phoebe that’s the first name DH and I have chosen.

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KirstenBlest · 27/12/2023 13:45

Probably. I have Ellies, Mollies and Evies at work.
I don't think middle names matter that much, but I have a colleague with a fairly upper class sounding name and it helped him. (Something like Charles Grosvenor Fellowes, and boss assumed links to gentry, but it's just coincidence)

Women are at a disadvantage generally, and there are things like (lack of) looks and height that set you at disadvantage, but I think that an 'unaspirational' name will not help.

I don't really get the need for a 'MN High Court Judge name on BC' but something like Louie-Jay or Kaci-Leigh might best be avoided.

The Alfie/Hallie/Lily-Rose type names aren't ones I particularly like and weren't used in my age group. I just don't like Theo, and Theodore is awful, but I know Leos my age and it's fine. I think it's the 'Th'. I don't like the vowelly names either. DC have names that are quite 'safe' and don't really link them to a particular decade.

nmchg · 27/12/2023 12:59

@KirstenBlest Thanks for replying. I can see your point and possibly 10 years ago or so it would've likely been the case. I do think there's so many children nowadays with very cutesy names though. By the time they're in the workplace it'll be all the Alfie/Theo/Hallie/Lily-Rose's etc calling the shots anyway and they probably won't bat an eyelid at any potentially infant-like names.

KirstenBlest · 27/12/2023 11:51

@nmchg , I know you didn't ask me but generally a name gives an impression and 'cutesy' isn't an impression that gives off CEO vibes.

You might have got to the top with a cutie name but others might, if faced with a choice of George, Olivia, Muhammad, Hannah or Hallie-Rae, subconsciously favour a more established name.

nmchg · 27/12/2023 11:16

@tokesqueen can I ask why that reason would mean no? I'm in my late 40s and still frequently get referred to as cute by friends, family, co-workers etc and I can honestly say it really doesn't bother me one bit. I'm still taken seriously in my job- I'm the CEO. I do have quite a cutesy name by MN standards I suppose but it really hasn't held me back at all. In fact being seen as cute as an adult has its benefits too, you can definitely use it to your advantage rather than view it as a negative.

KirstenBlest · 27/12/2023 10:55

@tokesqueen , it's too twee isn't it

tokesqueen · 27/12/2023 08:46

SkaneTos · 20/12/2023 22:15

Phoebe Sue. It sounds very cute.

For this reason alone, no.
Phoebe Susan is ok.

OctaviaRedQueen · 27/12/2023 08:40

OccasionalHope · 26/12/2023 21:52

Sue as a middle name sounds very 1950s America.

Agree.

Phoebe Susannah is nice with Phoebe as first name and Susannah as middle.

OccasionalHope · 26/12/2023 21:52

Sue as a middle name sounds very 1950s America.

Spyrothedragonn · 25/12/2023 21:11

Really sweet but not babyish - go for it!

Daisybuttercup12345 · 25/12/2023 05:19

Susan is much better. Infact why not have it as a first name? You won't hear another in her class.

Fartughtyred · 23/12/2023 11:54

Phoebe as her first name with Sue as a middle name is ok. Phoebe Sue as a first name is not good and sounds like someone's sneezed!

BabyYoshke · 23/12/2023 11:48

It’s lovely ❤️❤️❤️

KirstenBlest · 23/12/2023 11:46

@signaturecollection , sweet for a little girl, but I think the Sue would get dropped after a few years.

signaturecollection · 23/12/2023 11:36

KirstenBlest · 23/12/2023 11:31

@signaturecollection , OP says Phoebe as a first name, Sue as a middle name, so she'd be Phoebe not Phoebe Sue.

I missed that, thanks Smile
In that case I'm not sure but I still like Phoebe Sue as a full name (not hyphenated though cos that'd be a pain for filling online forms)

EarthlyNightshade · 23/12/2023 11:33

I love it

KirstenBlest · 23/12/2023 11:31

@signaturecollection , OP says Phoebe as a first name, Sue as a middle name, so she'd be Phoebe not Phoebe Sue.

signaturecollection · 23/12/2023 11:07

Am I right in thinking you're planning to use the full name Phoebe Sue day to day?
In which case Phoebe Susannah would sound awful OP, your suggestion of Phoebe Sue is gorgeous! It flows well and has a really good vintage vibe which works well. Please come back and let us know your own thoughts on it too.

KirstenBlest · 23/12/2023 09:24

I think Phoebe Susanna (or which ever spelling you prefer) sounds much nicer
This, and she could still be Phoebe Sue.
I'm not a fan of one syllable middle names.

user1492757084 · 23/12/2023 02:08

Phoebe Sue is gorgeous.

Jemimapinotduck · 22/12/2023 23:37

I think Phoebe Susanna (or which ever spelling you prefer) sounds much nicer

ORANGEORANGEORANGE · 21/12/2023 16:19

Love it

ChangingTheNarrative · 21/12/2023 15:53

I think it's really cute

peaceinourtime · 21/12/2023 15:52

It’s fine so long that it’s not hyphenated

Marcipex · 21/12/2023 14:17

I prefer Susan, if that’s your mums name.

Rocknrolla21 · 20/12/2023 23:19

blackfluffycat · 20/12/2023 20:35

Phoebe yes

Sue no. Not even for a middle name.

I think it depends on the first name. Sue is definitely ‘vintage’ and it looks and sounds really weird after Phoebe imo.

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