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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby name Polly if my name is Holly

88 replies

Nellyelephanty · 30/01/2025 15:54

Is this a completely ridiculous idea? I really like the name but I’ve lost sight of whether this is downright silly

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ExitPursuedByAPolarBear · 15/02/2025 06:42

@Followthetrend Sue-Ellen reminds me of a cartoon character from Arthur. Having said that, I can certainly imagine how confusing it must have been 😂.

Followthetrend · 15/02/2025 05:42

I knew a girl called Sue-Ellen (mother was a Dallas fan) and she called her DCs Sue and Ellen.

It caused no end of confusion.

ExitPursuedByAPolarBear · 15/02/2025 05:38

@Nellyelephanty Polly is lovely, but I can see why you might be second-guessing it since your name is Holly 💐. If you like Polly but want a bit of distance, what about Poppy? It has a similar cheerful feel and also ties into a red/nature theme, like Holly. Ruby, Hazel, Sienna, Ivy, or Scarlett could also be great options if you like something classic with a bit of a seasonal/natural link.

If you really love Polly but want more flexibility, you could also use it as a nickname for Paloma or Penelope – gives you the best of both worlds! Or, if you’re unsure about it as a first name, Polly could make a gorgeous, vintage-feeling middle name.

ExitPursuedByAPolarBear · 15/02/2025 05:28

Florence19791 · 30/01/2025 17:27

I know a Joanne with a son called Joe and a daughter called Anne.

That almost sounds like a limerick 😂.

JuneySunshine · 13/02/2025 11:18

Oh no, I definitely wouldn't.

Escaperoom · 08/02/2025 23:45

I knew someone when my kids were at nursery who was called Zoe and her daughter was Chloe. I privately thought it was hilarious but would never have let her know that of course and I really liked the name Chloe so I could see why she chose it.

peachystormy · 03/02/2025 22:10

No sorry it sounds daft

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 03/02/2025 21:57

Don’t think it’s that much different than when daughters used to be named after their Mums - just in your case it’s a rhyming name instead. So if you love Polly more than any other name, go for it.

I’d advise against twins named Holly and Polly but for Mum and daughter I personally think it’s less of a big deal- but only you know if you are going to be comfortable saying your names together when meeting people for the first time.

Lucyaugust2007 · 03/02/2025 16:05

I think it might raise a few smiles when you introduce the two of you at mother and baby groups, "I'm Holly and this is Polly".

Or for anyone old enough to remember Pigeon Street, there were twins on there called Molly and Polly. The song from my own childhood randomly popped into my head! That will only raise a smile if you introduce yourselves to someone my age though!

CoffeeChocolateWine · 03/02/2025 00:20

It is slightly twee and personally I wouldn't, but it seems a shame not to use a name you love just because it rhymes with your own. Polly is a lovely name and so much nicer than Poppy which will never not sound ridiculous to my ears!

Thinking about it, I know a few mother-daughter combos that are very similar...
Polly and Poppy
Laura and Lara
Charlotte and Scarlet
I definitely thought it was odd and twee when I first met them but now I don't give it a thought.

TinyMouseTheatre · 02/02/2025 22:01

I know a few with matchy names.

Alison with a Harrison

Sam with a Dan

And a Steve with a Niamh

I just assumed that they really liked their own names and possibly had little imagination.

mathanxiety · 31/01/2025 22:13

DoveLisand · 30/01/2025 16:56

If I met you at baby group or at school I would laugh behind your back about holly and Polly. In fact typing it makes me laugh. But maybe I am v bad and most people wouldn’t

.
typo

Edited

Yes, most people wouldn't.

mathanxiety · 31/01/2025 22:11

Go for it!

You'll be "Mum", she'll be Polly.

Introduce yourselves as "Holly Surname and my daughter Polly".

Polly is a great name.

Mangoesintoapub · 31/01/2025 20:48

Do it if you love the name. It will give people who meet you both together a smile but tbh that’s only a very short time- for most of her life it will be irrelevant.

muddyford · 31/01/2025 20:46

A dog trainer friend had a class where there were puppies called Dolly, Folly, Holly, Molly and Polly. Pick another!

UninterestingFirstPost · 31/01/2025 20:27

Posy?

TwigletsAndRadishes · 31/01/2025 20:23

Well I wouldn't do it. I think it will drive you potty constantly thinking people are calling you when they are actually calling her, and vice versa.

theduchessofspork · 31/01/2025 20:12

Well you couldn’t for siblings, but I think you just about could for mother and daughter

In case she hates it later, I’d probably call her some version of Mary (Polly is traditionally a pet form of Mary) as a full name - like Marianne or something - and use Polly as a shortform

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 31/01/2025 19:56

Love Polly

Mochudubh · 31/01/2025 19:55

For some reason "Polly" makes me think of a Georgian era slattern, but that's probably just me.

Vitriolinsanity · 31/01/2025 19:28

One of my favourite children ever is a Polly.

BuntyBeaufort · 31/01/2025 12:42

Polly is lovely.
If you like it go for it.

Everyone else can stfu.

xRobin · 31/01/2025 09:33

Nellyelephanty · 30/01/2025 21:30

okay thanks for all opinions!!!

I do like Poppy so maybe that is the better choice

What about Peggy?
Or Primrose/Prim?

I love the name Polly but “Holly and Polly” sounds a bit much. Could it be used as a middle name? x

Beachs · 31/01/2025 06:36

I like polly but I think poppy might be better but trust me it is in no way as bad as my friends Mae who had the unfortunate surname of Day, and her sister was Summer 😱

Swearwolf · 31/01/2025 06:05

I do think people will constantly mix up who is who, particularly in the baby/toddler group stage. It happened to me! My name doesn't rhyme with my daughter but both start with the same letter and that was enough for some people.