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Baby names

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

Original poster

Tallulah or Jessica?

111 replies

SweetTea · 21/04/2008 12:11

Our baby is due any time soon and we are still not decided on a girls name (have chosen a boys).

Jessica we like as it's traditional and flexible (able to shorten), but maybe a little too 'safe' as a choice.

We also like Tallulah, again an old traditional name and flexible, but we are not sure if it's a little bit too unusual.

Please shared some opinions with me to help us decide!

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MaloryTowersTraditionalist · 06/05/2008 09:50

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jessia · 06/05/2008 09:41

It seems funny to read that my name is "boring, ordinary, dull" etc, because when I was little it was way out, everyone asked twice and there was never anyone else called it! I hated it and throughout my childhood was "Jo". Then I moved out of the UK so never saw it increase in popularity. Now I love being "Jess" to everyone and "Jessi" to my husband.
I never knew the meaning of Tallulah but it's wonderful, that would probably sway me, though my first association is with the chicken in Maisie Mouse. However, that would pass...

Original poster
SweetTea · 02/05/2008 07:31

Thanks for all your comments....i'm thinking it's swaying towards Tallulah which is fab!!

As much as Jessica is nice it's a little too ordinary and popular!

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LittleMissMuffett · 30/04/2008 22:21

I also like Tallulah. Great and unusual name!

savoycabbage · 30/04/2008 22:07

I like Tallulah.

magicfarawaytree · 30/04/2008 22:01

tallulah

33kjs · 30/04/2008 21:46

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WingsofanAngel · 30/04/2008 21:43

Don't like Jessica but that is maybe because I know one who is precious.
Tallulah it's ok bit celebrity

Sidge · 30/04/2008 21:37

I prefer Jessica. But not the abbreviations Jess or Jessie.

I also like Jessamy.

Don't like Tallulah - makes me think it's a stripper's name (sorry )

Rosylily · 30/04/2008 21:09

It's an arabic name. I really liked it when I was pregnant, luckily perhaps I had a boy!

Original poster
SweetTea · 30/04/2008 18:42

Jessenia sounds like a made up name? Sorry!

OP posts:
Rosylily · 30/04/2008 11:36

I prefer the shortened versions of both names. I like Tally and I like Jess.

What about Jessenia?

conradblack · 30/04/2008 11:27

What are you thinking of - Tallulah is much more interesting name than plain old Jessica. More importnatly why are you asking other people for thier view - all that maters is what you like. Having had 4 children I found that the name came after the child - most of the names we thought of didn't suit for some reson. I would advice you not to get any advice just go with your gut instinct. Good luck

sophiebbb · 29/04/2008 17:06

Well......my daughter was born Sunday night (at last...!) and she is now a beautiful and spirited Tallulah (which means Leaping Water)!! And oh my waters did leap!!!

I must be poncey surrey middle class and chavvy at the same time

pagwatch · 28/04/2008 14:54

I really really wanted Tallulah for DD but Dh veetoed ( he was allowed as i couldn't choose names after 2nd trimester as hormones made me really poncey. I agreed after my near miss with Emanulella )
I think it is fabulous and feisty and great. And would have loved that for DD amidst all her Emma and Jessica and caitlin friends. Lovely names but all safe.
I don't think it is chavvy either.

Jessica is pretty but just a little tedious. And there are two in DD's class which given that there are only 10 other girls is pretty blah.

sweetbean · 28/04/2008 14:48

Tonta Nicely put !!! very nicely put!!

ButterflyMcQueen · 28/04/2008 14:46

i did think it was an odd mix myself!

Original poster
SweetTea · 28/04/2008 14:34

ButterflyMcQueen.........
How can Tallulah be Poncetastic (which BTW is not a word listed in the OED) and chavvy at the same time?! I'm confused!!

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Becky77 · 28/04/2008 12:05

Tallulah is gorgeous and I like the abbreviation of Lulu... Whilst Jessica is OK I dont really like Jess or Jessy, they're a bit masculine for a girl IMO.

cheesesarnie · 28/04/2008 11:47

i love tallulah-i wasnt allowed to use it!not even for the rabbit!!!
i do like jessica as well,its a lovely name.

ButterflyMcQueen · 28/04/2008 11:45

tallulah is too poncetastic

sadly chavvy imo

MrsStig · 28/04/2008 11:40

Tonta! You are wrong! I am not grey and boring!!

But I do love the name Tallulah! Sadly DH didn't agree with me when choosing a name for DD

brimfull · 28/04/2008 11:38

too many Jessica's

dd has about 600 friends called Jess

she is a teenager so may be different for younger ones.

tallulah is nice

tonta · 28/04/2008 11:35

jessica is exceptionally boring. so very very boring. oh my god. fit right in as a non descript grey person. give your child a lobotomy. they'll live safe in the sludge of the less imaginative realms of society

tallulah is unusual, exciting, playful, pretty. admitedly used by annoying celebs, but only rubbish ones noone will remember in a year's time. the references to tallulah bankwith a performer/singer and tallulah from bugsy malone are distant enough not to swamp your little person's space for their own life.

in short. grey drone fitting into a career in auditing or a sparky ray of sun? your choice.

Original poster
SweetTea · 28/04/2008 09:31

I'm getting the impression that Jessica is liked more by Mumsnet users, but I think perhaps it's because Tallulah is not a commonly heard name.

I'm starting to think that there are just too many Jessica's though, i'm going off it a bit! I think Tallulah is a name that really grows on you the more you hear it, if you can get past your initial reaction to it!
I really don't have a problem with people mentioning Bugsy Malone....for me it was a ground breaking film at the time and one of Alan Parkers best pieces of work!
And as for it being a bit 'celeb'....i think that's only because people remember the more unusual names celebrities give their children, all the common boring names get forgotten about!

(Excuse if this sounds like a rant, I'm now past my due date!)

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