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Original poster

Wanda or Rebecca?

109 replies

Epli · 02/10/2024 17:35

What do you think of these names? Are they awfully old-fashioned? I am not from the UK and often struggle all cultural or social connotations surrounding names.
Am I right that people would probably use Becky instead or Rebecca?

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WeddingDressguest · 21/08/2026 20:09

I don't like Wanda

I like Rebecca, but people aren't going to say it and I don't like any of the nicknames. It depends if you like the nicknames that come with a name though

FillTheGoldenCupWithRoses · 21/08/2026 14:11

Sorry didn’t see it’s old! Love Alexandra!

FillTheGoldenCupWithRoses · 21/08/2026 13:58

Rebecca. Wanda is cool on a certain person but you don’t want someone called Wanda if they turn out awkward or mousy.

Original poster
Epli · 21/08/2026 13:48

Oh I did not expect this thread to come back to life! We decided on Alexandra :).

OP posts:
DPotter · 20/08/2026 23:34

Rebecca with shortened form of Becca. Becky is fine for a small child but you can grow into a Becca

SheilaFentiman · 20/08/2026 22:49

Baby is weaned and walking / check OP date!

Giraffehaver · 20/08/2026 22:28

I love Veronica with Ronnie or Vera for short

Calliopespa · 20/08/2026 18:16

Epli · 02/10/2024 22:19

I like Francesca in English but in Poland it's associated with 90 year old nuns and I need something that works in both countries :)

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Quite honestly, 90 year old nuns are better than fish or vibrators!😂

Francesca is beautiful, Rebecca is ok, Wanda is 🤐

ThisTealViewer · 20/08/2026 13:45

Rebecca.

SheilaFentiman · 20/08/2026 13:14

TGIRetired · 20/08/2026 12:55

I like Wanda, it is not a regular name one hears. Give your baby (even if it is a snake) a name that has a connection and a meaning and ignore the fashionistas bc next week they will hate the name you chose this week!

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The thread is from 2024…

TGIRetired · 20/08/2026 12:55

Epli · 02/10/2024 17:44

Thank you! I was expecting Wanda not to be liked. My friends from Poland hate it as well. I really like Rebecca but hate Bec/Becky?

What about Veronica? Is it also considered very old fashioned in the UK?

I like Wanda, it is not a regular name one hears. Give your baby (even if it is a snake) a name that has a connection and a meaning and ignore the fashionistas bc next week they will hate the name you chose this week!

Ifitistobesaid · 03/10/2024 12:48

Not Wanda. I listen to an IVF podcast and Wanda is the nickname given to the probe used for transvaginal ultrasound scans.

Rebecca is lovely.

SheilaFentiman · 02/10/2024 23:28

outdamnedspots · 02/10/2024 23:04

Are you very young? It's a classic. You should watch it.

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Came out in 88, you don’t have to be very young not to know it.

Scarlett? As a nod to the Scarlet Witch

Daisybuttercup12345 · 02/10/2024 23:14

Rebecca.

outdamnedspots · 02/10/2024 23:04

RoundAgain · 02/10/2024 17:48

Oh, I googled and there is a film called "A fish called Wanda". I have no idea what it's about.

Are you very young? It's a classic. You should watch it.

lifeturnsonadime · 02/10/2024 22:32

This has made me smile as we have a little terrier called Wanda, after the Scarlet Witch rather than the fish.

She's a cutie and everyone comments on her lovely name. I probably wouldn't have thought to use it for a girl but I actually much prefer it to Rebecca which, to me, is very boring.

So out of your two Wanda for sure.

Moreteaandchocolate · 02/10/2024 22:29

Rebecca sounds traditional and fresh among today’s Ellie’s, Evie’s and Isla’s. Wanda sounds old fashioned in a bad way to me.

Dazedandconfusedma · 02/10/2024 22:29

I like Wanda! But I always seem
to feel differently about names compared with most on mumsnet. I loved a Fish Called Wanda though, so that may be why. Can’t believe how few people have heard of it!! Great film.

Rebecca is totally fine.

Original poster
Epli · 02/10/2024 22:22

Thank you all! Wanda used to be relatively popular in Poland that's making a come back. Will cross it off my list, DH will be delighted :d

OP posts:
Original poster
Epli · 02/10/2024 22:19

PosiePetal · 02/10/2024 18:46

Rebecca is lovely.

Francesca?

I like Francesca in English but in Poland it's associated with 90 year old nuns and I need something that works in both countries :)

OP posts:
SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 02/10/2024 21:49

There's an old film or TV programme 'A FIsh Called Wanda' and that is all I can think of when I hear the name, which is not at all common. Rebecca is a classic name easily shortened to Bec, Becky, Bex etc, a good safe choice.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 02/10/2024 21:46

Rebecca is a classic that became very popular in the 70’s/80’s - and yes many were shortened to Becky/Bex so that diminutive does feel now quite dated on the UK. A very similar style name would be fellow classic Victoria (rather than Veronica) - and in the 70’s/80’s most Victoria’s here were shortened to the now dated Vicky.

A Rebecca of today could get Becky - but she could just as easily insist on her full name or even a less dated nn like Reba. Same with Victoria - most would probably try to a use another diminutive instead like Vita now. Basically it’s the nn’s/diminutives that feel particularly dated, not the full names!

Veronica has probably never been popular enough in most of the UK to be considered that dated - although it may be considered dated in countries like Ireland and N. Ireland (where I think it was much more popular - certainly the couple I have met in RL have been older Irish women).

Wanda would be very rare in the UK - it wouldn’t sound especially dated but more like she was from another country (likely the Southern USA). In the UK most peoples reference for it would likely be “A fish called Wanda” (comedy film).

Anisty · 02/10/2024 21:45

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

@TheDeepLemonHelper - Beryl!!!! I LOVE that name! Our beloved cat was called Beryl but I would have 100% used it for a DD if DH had liked it.

And Vera was my Mum's name.

Neither are in the same genre as Rebecca though!

Can't agree with your opinion of Rebecca though. I love it.

Even if you don't love the name - you will love the book and film.

The biblical spelling Rebekah is lovely too.

WandaFishy99 · 02/10/2024 21:27

A Fish Called Wanda is a really funny film but I'm afraid I don't like the name for a little girl!
Rebecca is nice, it's timeless. Becky is a nice short version too.

Itsaboutvinted · 02/10/2024 21:26

My Rebecca is still little so she doesn't get her name shortened. I hope it stays this way (unless she wants it to be shortened).

I always thought Becky sounds better than Becca but I wasn't raised in the UK so maybe that's why I can't understand it fully?

Becca sounds very cold to me.

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