Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

What were you nearly called?

237 replies

Abigail47 · 08/08/2024 19:13

I was nearly called Deborah or Scarlett.

They were in my parents top three names.

Then they finally chose my name.

I feel a bit of a connection to those other two names.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
saltytowers · 08/08/2024 22:12

I was nearly Claire. The registrar commented that it was a really popular name and my mum decided she didn't want that. So gave me an equally popular name of the time.

There were 3 of us with my name in my class at primary school. And one Claire 😂

LardiLaLardiLi · 08/08/2024 22:11

I would have been Maria or Contantin if I were a boy, both of which I quite like. I ended up with a popular name and always had at lease 2 other girls with the same name in a class. Still love my name, though.

grapefruitnights · 08/08/2024 22:11

Harley

Yes, my dad was called David.

Thankfully I was a girl. Though it was only a marginally better option.

Borgonzola · 08/08/2024 22:10

My mother was nearly called Blodwen Grin

Borgonzola · 08/08/2024 22:10

Miriam Grin

Probateprobs · 08/08/2024 22:01

Ianto if I'd been a boy.

Usernamechangeforthis12 · 08/08/2024 21:49

I was very nearly Clare until Gilbert O’Sullivan released ‘Clair’ and every other girl seemed to get the name.

I prefer my name. If I’d been a boy I’d have been Simon. Or possibly Edward which I’d have liked.

changedusernameforthis1 · 08/08/2024 21:48

My Mum really wanted to call me Abigail. I'm forever grateful that my Dad hated it.
I was also told that I'd have been called Luke had I been born male. That's not so bad, I could have lived with that.

Hummusanddipdip · 08/08/2024 21:43

Naomi, only didn't happen because (bit outing) my grandparents kicked off.

I would have been Daniel if I was a boy.

Blarn · 08/08/2024 21:40

Kirsty. I imagine my second name would still have been Louise though as I was born in the 80s!

evtheria · 08/08/2024 21:40

Anaïs

notenoughcaffeine · 08/08/2024 21:39

If I was a boy I was going to be called Joel.
And the other options for my name were Daisy and Eden.

Original poster
Abigail47 · 08/08/2024 21:39

My actual name has been said on this thread.

Names are cool. I've always felt a connection to the name Deborah. Then I learned that I was nearly called it.

OP posts:
Monkeysatonthewall · 08/08/2024 21:37

TheForgetfulCat · 08/08/2024 19:29

Meg short for Margaret. Scuppered by Australian cousin named Megan. Got it as a middle instead.
I think Margaret/Meg/Maggie is almost cool again. My actual name is fine but every second kid in the late 70s was called it and it has yet to have its comeback moment.

Oh I'm so curious to know what your name is now 😂
Can we get the first letter please?

sanityisamyth · 08/08/2024 21:36

Robyn

CheeseWisely · 08/08/2024 21:36

Christopher if I'd been a boy.

An alternative spelling of my name if my Mum had got her way (God only knows why she didn't insist. She who births the baby gets final say IMO Wink)

nildesparandum · 08/08/2024 21:36

My dad wanted me to have his mother's name which was Margaret.When he told, just after I was born, she said no, as there were two many Margarets at that time (I am a lot older than most on MN).She also reminded him that a friend of my mother's had just named her baby wit that name.She told him the name she preferred which was the name of one of her sisters who had died at a few months old.
I got my grandmother's choice, but my dad never told my mother it was his mother's choice of name.

ladygindiva · 08/08/2024 21:34

Jane, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary. My mum loves Jane Austen 🤣

Monkeysatonthewall · 08/08/2024 21:33

Cecilia

TrustPenguins · 08/08/2024 21:32

Alison or Sharon. I much prefer my actual name!

If I was a boy I was probably going to be Michael.

memphiser · 08/08/2024 21:32

I was very nearly called Marley, but my parents changed their name at the last minute.

If I was a boy, I would have been Alfie of Herbie.

Blackcountryexile · 08/08/2024 21:30

Dennis if I'd been a boy. My DC's think it's hilarious.

GoldenLegend · 08/08/2024 21:30

OlympicsFanGirl · 08/08/2024 19:19

Morag

me too!

dodged a bullet there

StMarieforme · 08/08/2024 21:28

I was almost maned Samantha. I also feel a real connection to the name. It would have suited me, I think. I don't mind the name I have though.
It was after a character in the movie "High Society". My actual name was after a prominent film star of the day. 😊

Cherubs4 · 08/08/2024 21:27

Carol - but they decided that too many people would think I was named after them

Swipe left for the next trending thread