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Baby names

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

Original poster

I'm NOT naming her after my sister!

232 replies

Sprinklesandsprinkles · 11/11/2024 12:46

I'm wanting to get opinions on this name vs my DSs please.

We are having a baby girl and both really like the name Pippin. We'd mostly call her Pip, and have the options of Pippy or Pips. I like a name with lots of variation options that we like.

The thing making me unsure is I have a sister called Philippa and I know that a lot of people called Pip have it shortened from Philippa. I don't want people to always be asking Pip- is she Philippa named after your DS?

However DS has always been Phil and NEVER Pip so I can't decide if that makes it a non issue?

Side note- can Pippin be taken seriously on job applications etc?

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PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 11/11/2024 13:05

EmpressaurusKitty · 11/11/2024 13:00

Pippa as a full name might be awkward too when she goes on holiday.. Pipa is Greek slang for blow job, & pipi means pee in several languages…

I agree that Pippin’s an absolute no, though.

Greek as well? good to know. It means the same in Italian.

It seems to be a vulgar word for genitals in Polish, btw… Not a name that seems to travel well, unfortunately.

pinkdelight · 11/11/2024 13:05

Pippin is that dog on Come Outside. Or a hobbit. Or a musical that bombed. Please don't call a human baby Pippin regardless of sibling associations. There must be less cringe names that you both like.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 11/11/2024 13:04

Why are you more worried about people thinking you’ve named your dd after your sister than naming her after the dog from “come outside”?

Pippin is either a rubbish apple, an annoying hobbit or a fat dog from children’s tv.

if you want to call your dd Pip go with Philippa.

AllTangledUpInTinselAndTiaras · 11/11/2024 13:04

Yeah I'd think it was a homage to your sister's name.

thatischarming · 11/11/2024 13:03

Well you know Pip is short for Philippa and that is your sister’s name so you have to be prepared for people to mention it. What would you say?

lawlessland · 11/11/2024 13:02

Pippin is a nickname or pet name. In fact I know two dogs called Pippin.

TheFormidableMrsC · 11/11/2024 13:02

I'm not sure I'd pick that name. The only Pip I know is a 75 year old man, short for Phillip.

Hohofortherobbers · 11/11/2024 13:01

Pippin is the dog that got eaten in Jaws.

Laalaalaand · 11/11/2024 13:01

Pippin is a male hobbit from the Lord of the rings.

Berthatydfil · 11/11/2024 13:01

Pippin - are you on glue?

EmpressaurusKitty · 11/11/2024 13:00

Pippa as a full name might be awkward too when she goes on holiday.. Pipa is Greek slang for blow job, & pipi means pee in several languages…

I agree that Pippin’s an absolute no, though.

minipie · 11/11/2024 12:59

Pippin is a dog’s name.

Pinkruler · 11/11/2024 12:58

I think Pippin is an excellent name and along with your sister and husband they can form the Three Pips..

ChangingChangingMe · 11/11/2024 12:57

Yes I think people would assume she was named after your sister.

Is that a big issue?

Yes people will probably look sideways at Pippin on a job application. And I’d assume male given the LOTR name. There are plenty of odd names out there these days though, I think this is pretty low on the odd scale!

romdowa · 11/11/2024 12:57

Will pippy have long stockings ?

chichiwaaa · 11/11/2024 12:57

Or what about piper? Pippin really doesn't sound like a real life name. It sounds like a pet name or a name from some twee fairytale that nobody would use in real life.

RememberRememberTheMonthofNovember · 11/11/2024 12:57

It may not matter to you, but I only know Pippin as a boy’s name. The most well-known of these are Pippin the musical, very very loosely based on the story of Pippin, son of Charlemagne, and Pippin (short for Peregrin(e)) in Lord of the Rings.

Edit: the only Pips I know are also male. In their case Pip is short for Philip.

Scorpion84 · 11/11/2024 12:56

pippin would definitely not be taken seriously as an adult name . The first thing I thought was it would be a good name for a rabbit .

Ellerby83 · 11/11/2024 12:56

Please don't call her Pippin

loropianalover · 11/11/2024 12:55

Pippin is a pet name, go with Pippa officially.

Entertainmentcentral · 11/11/2024 12:55

People will assume it's a tribute to your sister but it won't make any difference will it?

I think you can introduce her as whatever you want but secretly put Pippa on the birth certificate.

Hermanfromguesswho · 11/11/2024 12:54

I have a Pip (short for Philippa!) Pippin is a pets name or a nickname for Philippa. Literally everyone will think she’s named after your sister I think!

Needmorelego · 11/11/2024 12:54

@MrsSkylerWhite literally that was my first thought.
Pippin the Dog is/was a legend (there were several Pippin's over the years....).

Lancelottie · 11/11/2024 12:53

It would make a good nickname for that old MN favourite, Persephone. Or Penelope, maybe

Awful as a full name though. Would you like to go through life named after an apple?

DaylightTreachery · 11/11/2024 12:53

Pippin is a particularly annoying hobbit in LOTR, whose real name is Peregrine. Or Cox’s Orange Pippin.

It seems odd you’ve chosen a name where people are likely to assume you’ve called your baby after your sister if you’re adamant you didn’t.

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