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Baby names

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

Original poster

Abby or Emma

45 replies

Hanssoe · 22/11/2024 06:15

Hi all, posted before looking for some help with baby girl names.
We decided to drop Katie, Anna and Natalie from the list. We won’t be using these (please don’t try and change our mind on this it’s been hard to get this far 🤣).
Now we are stuck between Abby (this spelling not Abbie and not short for Abigail) and Emma. We both slightly prefer Abby but worry about the spelling issues. We love Emma too especially as it’s a timeless classic.

Which would you pick?

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Leeloo1233 · 23/11/2024 09:04

Singleandproud · 22/11/2024 14:51

Emma - nothing really rhymes with it so minimal name related bullying andits timeless it's not going to come in and out of fashion.

Abby - I'd go for Abigail and use Abby as a nickname but I wouldn't use it as a full name.

Abby is far too easy to rhyme unfortunate words with Flabby if she's larger, Scabby if she has eczema, psoriasis or acne etc, Chavvy if she has a penchant for fake tan, large hooped earrings or whatever the fashion is of the day when shes older.

Edited

If you think like this, there's not a name in the world that works. Besides if kids want to bully they will - she can be Emma poohead, Scabby-Emma, etc

Leeloo1233 · 23/11/2024 09:00

I think you should go with Abby. It's clearly your favourite and it's really lovely! Emma is pretty dull tbh.

DreamyMe · 22/11/2024 20:55

Emma feels like more of a complete name.

salamithumbs · 22/11/2024 18:53

I prefer Abby as I find Emma a bit bland but they're both nice names!

SkaneTos · 22/11/2024 16:16

They are both lovely names.

I voted for Abby, since you write that you prefer that name.

clarepetal · 22/11/2024 14:57

Emma.

TomatoSandwiches · 22/11/2024 14:55

Emma, Abby doesn't really feel like a proper name imo.

SereneFish · 22/11/2024 14:53

I don't see Abby as a name but a cutesy nickname. Emma is a real name.

Singleandproud · 22/11/2024 14:51

Emma - nothing really rhymes with it so minimal name related bullying andits timeless it's not going to come in and out of fashion.

Abby - I'd go for Abigail and use Abby as a nickname but I wouldn't use it as a full name.

Abby is far too easy to rhyme unfortunate words with Flabby if she's larger, Scabby if she has eczema, psoriasis or acne etc, Chavvy if she has a penchant for fake tan, large hooped earrings or whatever the fashion is of the day when shes older.

bettyskitchen · 22/11/2024 14:48

FWIW as someone called Abby I've never been called Scabby haha.

Duckyfondant · 22/11/2024 09:47

I can't see how she wouldn't be called Scabby sooner or later, so I vote Emma.

user1492757084 · 22/11/2024 09:34

Emma and you will be able to watch that hilarious 2020 film with beautiful music called Emma every birthday.
Emma is lovely.
Abby is great too, though it seems a bit more nick namey to me.

Firsttimebabymummy · 22/11/2024 09:23

Emma. It's a beautiful classic

Not keen on Abby

UnderZealous · 22/11/2024 08:34

Emma

toastofthetown · 22/11/2024 08:33

If you both prefer Abby I’d go with that. Anecdotally that’s the spelling I see most often anyway.

thesunisastar · 22/11/2024 07:18

Emma 100%. Beautiful, classic name.

Really not keen on shortened names as given names and Abby looks wrong anyway, like there is a letter missing somewhere.

JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome · 22/11/2024 07:04

Would you consider Abbey? This is my DD (it is short for Abigail in our case) and we have no issue with spelling.

BoleynMemories13 · 22/11/2024 06:56

Emma is such a beautiful classic. Abby isn't in the same league for me, especially this spelling.

However, it's totally your choice. If you both prefer Abby, you should use it. Just be prepared that she will inevitably go through life having to constantly correct people on the spelling or assuming it's short for Abigail (with Abbie and Abi both being more popular alternatives, in my experience).

Moreteaandchocolate · 22/11/2024 06:19

I vote Abby! I love the name (and you say it’s your favourite too!) Emma is lovely but every other mum in the playground is called Emma, so although it’s not so commonly used now, when she grows up there are likely to be multiple Emma’s wherever she works etc.

StartupRepair · 22/11/2024 06:17

Emma. Beautiful classic name.
Abby will lead to a lifetime of her having to spell it explain etc.