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Baby names

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

Original poster

Pearl or Dorothy or Flora

53 replies

rhymeswithjello · 17/05/2024 16:49

We've named our daughter Pearl, but after saying it for a few months it has felt a bit dusty, and I wish it was longer than one syllable. So we are considering changing it to either Dorothy (Dot, Dottie, Dory as nicknames) or Flora (Flor?).

For context, our other children are Leo, Newell, and Coco.

Would appreciate any thoughts!

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user1492757084 · 19/05/2024 13:56

My favourites from your posts:

Leo, Newell, Coco and ..

Flora Pearl - Flo, Floss
Dorothy Pearl - Dot, Dolly, Dodo, Dottie
Dorothy Rae - Dorit, Dorrae, Do Rae Me,
Rae Flora - Rae

Firsttimebabymummy · 19/05/2024 12:02

I'd keep Pearl, it's lovely

JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods · 19/05/2024 10:22

Neverpostagain · 18/05/2024 12:06

I'd change it to Dorothy. I'm so over having to listen to vegans pointing out what a pearl is, and I wouldn't want to have to inflict that on a child.

😂

Coconutter24 · 19/05/2024 08:34

Neverpostagain · 18/05/2024 12:06

I'd change it to Dorothy. I'm so over having to listen to vegans pointing out what a pearl is, and I wouldn't want to have to inflict that on a child.

Going by that logic OP should go with Flora because the vegans would love that 😂

BroughttoyoubyBerocca · 19/05/2024 07:33

Pearl is beautiful, can you nickname her Pearlie whilst she is young?

RuthW · 18/05/2024 23:17

All lovely but keep Pearl

PostalPanic · 18/05/2024 22:48

Flora fits best of the three.

Lurkingandlearning · 18/05/2024 22:29

I think Pearl is lovely too

Hermanfromguesswho · 18/05/2024 22:20

Pearl is much nicer than the other two. And fits much better with your other children’s names!

keffie12 · 18/05/2024 22:13

Nickname her a bit longer and call her Pearly - that way, you keep her name and make it playful. Just a thought. It's a beautiful name. I love it

Dora33 · 18/05/2024 21:49

Sorry I meant would you consider Dara, not wouldnt

PieFaces · 18/05/2024 21:19

Pearl is beautiful

Dora33 · 18/05/2024 21:02

Also wouldn't consider using Dara, which means Pearl.

Dora33 · 18/05/2024 20:49

Definitely Flora or maybe even keep with Pearl if unsure.
Only Dorothys I know, were named after older relations and neither like their names or any of the most used nick names for it. One now goes by their middle name.
The other says Dorothy is too serious a name and goes by Thia. Which I think is a lovely name and never would realised was a nickname for Dorothy till I heard it.

chesterelly1 · 18/05/2024 20:35

The name Margaret means Pearl and has loads of diminutives or nicknames. Could you adopt one of those but keep her official name Pearl? Perla, margarite, Rita, Meg, Meggie, peg, Peggy, Mags, Maggie, Margot, Gretta,

AcrobaticCardigan · 18/05/2024 20:18

Absolutely love Flora & Pearl, though I think Pearl sounds fabulous with the sibling names.

lljkk · 18/05/2024 12:15

I like Pearl. I don't like the others. Flora is what you have in your guts. But I guess that doesn't matter, she will make the name work whatever she's called.

GrandHighPoohbah · 18/05/2024 12:10

I can't help but think of Pearl, the old battleaxe in Last of the Summer Wine. But then again I am in my 50s and from Yorkshire, so it's probably not a problem for most people! But I agree with PP, of all the "old lady" names these days, Pearl isn't one that's revived well. I would go with Flora.

Neverpostagain · 18/05/2024 12:06

I'd change it to Dorothy. I'm so over having to listen to vegans pointing out what a pearl is, and I wouldn't want to have to inflict that on a child.

Theoldwoman · 18/05/2024 11:59

Pearl is fabulous and the pick for me!

I have a Daughter with a one syllable name and she only gets called that.

PrettyFlyforaMaiTai · 18/05/2024 11:56

I adore Pearl, it has cool vintage vibes but still sounds quite modern. It also fits well with the sibset.

I don’t like Dorothy as a first name, too clunky and fussy old lady vibes. Dora, Thea and Dotty are better alternatives although Dotty has obvious bullying potential.

Flora reminds me of margarine and I just find it a bit cloying for some reason.

I personally like Pearl Dorothy as a potential name.

NoSnowdrop · 18/05/2024 10:08

Pearl is dreadful if you’re Scottish.

Flora is a great name. I don’t associate it with that chemical crap “spread” at all. Does anyone even buy that shit anymore?

PeterGabrielsunderpants · 18/05/2024 09:54

Pearl us a lovely meaning but doesn't sound great with that uurr in the middle of it. Why not try Marguerite, which has the same meaning?

JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods · 18/05/2024 08:19

What's a "naming scheme"???

JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods · 18/05/2024 08:18

Change it to Flora Pearl