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Baby names

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

Original poster

Margaret or Lavinia

79 replies

Summer8summer8 · 08/01/2025 11:30

Hi which name is better for daughter: Margaret or Lavinia?

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LostMyLanyard · 08/01/2025 18:11

I may be biased because I have a now 29 year old Margaret. It was my grandma's name and she died on the day my daughter was born. My lovely girl has used Meg or Maggie for most of her life (answers to either) but as a family we use Ret (because my eldest couldn't say Margaret when her baby sister arrived, and it stuck 💕).

Lavinia...not so nice in my opinion, as all I can think of is 'lav' or 'lavvie'- and who wants that nickname at school?!? 😲

EmpressaurusKitty · 08/01/2025 18:11

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 08/01/2025 17:46

I really love the name Margaret! It's elegant and classic. I wouldn't abbreviate but Meg is ok. Less keen on Lavinia. Both names are key characters in the book Thursday's Child.

Yes, I was wondering if that was what the OP was thinking of.

Hoppingabout · 08/01/2025 18:09

Both are awful (in my opinion). Perhaps too soon for a revival.

girljulian · 08/01/2025 18:03

I love Margaret. Margot for short is so elegant and 20s.

Lavinia just makes me think of lavatories.

thicklysettled · 08/01/2025 18:02

I think they're both pretty terrible, I'm afraid.

AdaColeman · 08/01/2025 18:00

Margaret is a lovely name, but Marguerite is prettier.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 08/01/2025 17:46

I really love the name Margaret! It's elegant and classic. I wouldn't abbreviate but Meg is ok. Less keen on Lavinia. Both names are key characters in the book Thursday's Child.

midlifeattheoasis · 08/01/2025 17:11

Neither

TappyGilmore · 08/01/2025 17:09

I had Lavinia on my list for DD but didn’t go with it because of “lav” being used as a nickname. But it’s a pretty name and not used much.

I don’t like Margaret at all.

LouisvilleSlugger · 08/01/2025 17:07

You can’t saddle a baby with Margaret!

Jeeeeez · 08/01/2025 17:04

One of my Aunts is a Margaret and she can’t stand it. ‘Where did they get that name from’ is her comment about her name . Lavinia is pretty awful.

SizzlingPrickle · 08/01/2025 13:21

They are quite different! Are they family names or just ones you like?

I prefer Margaret, nickname Maggie.

Moreteaandchocolate · 08/01/2025 13:19

Margaret is lovely with its range of nice nn options (I love Maggie personally).

Lavinia would unfortunately become Lav around here by secondary age.

BootballJoy · 08/01/2025 13:01

Out of the two, Margaret is far better although I don't love it. Maggie/Meg/Peggy all nice shortenings though. I'm really not a fan of Lavinia.

Aintnobodygottime · 08/01/2025 12:58

Margaret. A brilliant strong name and, like others say, lots of different ways to use it if you want. I like Mags as a shortening.

windyhairday · 08/01/2025 12:57

I prefer Margaret and would call her Maggie at home I think. Its softer and more gentle to me. Lavinia has something about that V sound, like viviene or veronica that is harsh to me, austere and puts me in mind of a sharp featured upper class woman with a cold countenance

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 08/01/2025 12:56

Hmm - wasn't there a Luscious or Lascivious Lavinia in 4 Weddings & a Funeral?

I prefer Margaret also. So many lovely variants too before you even start on nicknames

CollectedStories · 08/01/2025 12:48

I can't get past Lavinia in Titus Andronicus, who is raped and then mutilated so that she can't implicate the men who did it.

AllPlayedOut · 08/01/2025 12:44

They’re both dreadful.

OnlyWhenILaugh · 08/01/2025 12:44

Margaret.
Classic and lots of options for diminutives.

MrsSunshine2b · 08/01/2025 12:42

It depends if planning to give birth to a 64 year old PA, or a low ranking aristocrat in a Barbour jacket and Hunter wellies.

Hotafternoon · 08/01/2025 12:42

A schoolfriend back in the late 60s had a friend called Lavinia and always called her Lav. Not an ideal abbreviated version of the name. 🙁

user1492757084 · 08/01/2025 12:38

I like Margaret. particulary Meg. (always a gorgeous character in books)
Margaret is successful and no nonsence confident.
I like the many nicknames and the meaning of Pearl from the sea.
Margaret is relatable in that every one possibly knows a Margaret. Princess Margaret, Margaret Thatcher, Dame Margaret Fonteyn, Anne-Margaret, Margaret Court, Margaret Olley.

Lavinia seems remote, artistic and frilly. Lavy is not a great nick name. Vinni and Livi are cute. The Roman history of the name is interesting. Lavinia is classical. I only know of one real life Lavinia. And there is Lavinia Fontana, artist from the1600s. Lavinia is less common.

whatsoccuringnow · 08/01/2025 11:44

Neither, sorry. Lavinia is slightly better- Margaret= cross old posh lady

Babadook76 · 08/01/2025 11:41

Not massively keep on Margaret, but there are cute nicknames I guess. It’s far better than Lavinia, that sound like a country. Or it’ll get shortened to lav, like lavatory