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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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plunpun · 30/01/2025 18:59

I wouldn't have thought anything of it until I actually met and now know a mum and daughter with almost identical names. It evokes a feeling that the mum has prevented the daughter having her own identify or wants to be weirdly linked to her like a twosome. It's odd.
Sorry if that's not what you want to hear but it's a genuine albeit surprising response I had to it.

Muddypawsies · 30/01/2025 18:41

Polly and Holly? No.

NellyCortado · 30/01/2025 18:38

Mmm, I wouldn't personally.
That said, I know of a Millie/Molly mum and daughter and it just sounds a bit nursery rhyme.

Firsttimebabymummy · 30/01/2025 18:28

I think it's fine! Nice, even.

There's so many male 'x' Junior so why not.

sel2223 · 30/01/2025 18:23

No, don't do it.

You'll be cringing forever having to introduce yourselves.

It took long enough for me to accept that the name DH and i like best shares my first initial. I'm still not 100%:sure about it but it's literally the only name neither of us hates

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 30/01/2025 17:34

Zippidydoodah · 30/01/2025 16:27

i met a Charlotte and Scarlett at a baby group and though it was impossibly twee. Holly and Polly is…….worse. Sorry! Pollyanna might work.

I knew someone once named Charlotte. Her husband was Chris. They names their kids Carly and Charlie. When the post arrived addressed to C Smith it was confusing 😂.

trainedopossum · 30/01/2025 17:29

Nice names and no important reason to avoid this pairing, but I did have these thoughts.
One of the following is my name but I've been called Holly, Dolly, Polly and Molly. People mishear all the time. (And once someone called me Pauline 😄) If you're introduced as Polly and Holly, new acquaintances are likely to mix them up.
Also a lot of dogs seem to have one of these names (if that makes a difference). Both my mum and I have adopted rescues with a name from this list.

Florence19791 · 30/01/2025 17:27

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

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 30/01/2025 17:25

I think it's quite cute. Polly is a lovely name. I knew someone called Anna who called her daughter Annabelle and I think that's odder than rhyming names.

SpringBunnyHopHop · 30/01/2025 17:23

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

Well… You’re nice.

I don’t think it’s that bad.

Moreteaandchocolate · 30/01/2025 17:22

I don’t think it matters - you become mum to them once they’re born - it’s not like having rhyming siblings. If it does bother you then I like Penelope nn Polly.

Catlord · 30/01/2025 17:05

I mean it's nice in itself but a bit silly rhyming with yours sorry. Not unusable but seems like making slight fools of you and your child to me. Maybe if it was short for something? Pauline/a, Polina, Paula, Apollonia or Apolline maybe?

Dsdurga · 30/01/2025 16:57

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

Gosh people like you are why so many upset new mums post on here jeez

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

ShortWide · 30/01/2025 16:55

So sorry OP but I laughed out loud.

purpleme12 · 30/01/2025 16:55

I think it's fine actually. Don't think it matters.

What I would say is when someone says her name to get her attention your ears will constantly prick up and you'll forever think they're calling you cos it's the same sound.

Edenmum2 · 30/01/2025 16:54

I think if you are even considering it being an issue then it'll niggle you always so best to choose something else I'd say

Namesy · 30/01/2025 16:53

There's loads of fathers that name their son after them, which I find more odd than rhyming names. Could get confusing though so maybe use Polly as a middle name.

Emanwenym · 30/01/2025 16:53

Leopoldina?

Snowmanscarf · 30/01/2025 16:52

I would use Polly as a nn for a longer mane.

Peregrina · 30/01/2025 16:51

I thought your surname was Holly and thought Polly Holly - NO. But it's not, and how often are you going to be introduced together? When she gets to school, she will just be Holly.

Drachuughtty · 30/01/2025 16:49

Do not do this!

IsItAllRubbish · 30/01/2025 16:49

I know a Hannah with a daughter, Anna. It’s a bit much. But if you like it, go for it.

Emanwenym · 30/01/2025 16:47

Dsdurga · 30/01/2025 16:23

Could you maybe have pollyana or something so it isn’t an exact rhyme

Just NO! It's awful.

mummysmagicmedicine · 30/01/2025 16:27

Lovely names but agree with pp about introducing at baby groups, but also to her future friends mums etc etc.

Think Penny may be a better option, either as Penelope or just Penny!