Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Roberta

75 replies

ThatPeachBee · 12/02/2025 16:24

Am I going mad? Would be after FIL, Robert who is a truly amazing kind man. Wouldn't use the name without this connection. Bobbie or Bertie for short.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
WulfWulfBeare · 24/01/2026 17:37

The only Roberta I can think of is from the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. Even at that time I remember thinking poor kid: an awful first name with an awful last name to boot. Roberta Quimby.

RuthW · 24/01/2026 17:04

Love it

Emanwenym · 24/01/2026 17:01

If @ThatPeachBee was pregnant when she started the thread, the baby would have been named months ago.

500daysofspring · 24/01/2026 16:55

I’m sorry but I think it’s deeply unattractive, and Bertie is heinous! It’s a lovely sentiment but I wouldn’t saddle your daughter with such an awful name.

District66 · 24/01/2026 16:54

No

GoodVibesHere · 24/01/2026 16:54

Love it! Gorgeously pretty and elegent, yet strong.

I've only ever known Roberta from The Railway Children.

Jugendstiel · 24/01/2026 16:49

I love it. Great, unusual yet classic name with lovely Railway children connotations. And Robbie or Bertie are cute nicknames.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 24/01/2026 16:48

IHateWasps · 12/02/2025 19:05

It’s a very unattractive name. I’d only use it as a middle name.

Got to say I agree. It makes me think of burp or robot. Not feminine at all. Couldn’t do it to a baby girl. A middle name maybe.

WulfWulfBeare · 24/01/2026 16:42

Have you decided on a middle name? Some suggestions:

Roberta Rose
Roberta May
Roberta Jane
Roberta Ernie

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 24/01/2026 16:35

I love it. Always makes me think of the lovely Roberta in the railway children.

WulfWulfBeare · 24/01/2026 16:34

Roberta is lovely. Bert, Bertie, Bobbita, Robbie are lovely nicknames for a girl.

Kumquatzest · 20/01/2026 15:17

I know a lovely Roberta... but the name itself doesn't sound lovely to me. I find it old-fashioned in an unflattering way. Bobbie is very cute though.

Sugarpie9 · 20/01/2026 08:07

It’s just such a masculine name. Sorry not a fan but of course if you love it that’s what’s important and it is a lovely tribute

LilyLemonade · 19/01/2026 22:59

It's a very classic name, unusual but easy to say and use. Not one of my favourites but with a good family reason why not go for it. Makes me think of the epic tale of the Railway Children. What about Berta for a nickname. Or Robbie, which somehow feels more modern than Bobbie/Bobby.

Giraffehaver · 19/01/2026 22:52

I adore it. My favourite aunt was Roberta known as Robbie. Wicked sense of humour and beautiful green eyes.

GingerFox2021 · 19/01/2026 09:11

I love Roberta, but definitely not Bobbie or Bertie for short.
Generally, I like names that are being used in full, that’s the beauty of the name and not a short version.
But everyone has a different taste.

Plastictreees · 05/10/2025 21:48

I’m surprised Roberta is getting so much love - I think it’s awful and not classic at all. I despise ‘Bertie’ as a nickname too. Bobby isn’t much better.

I also strongly dislike the names Henrietta and Thomasina which feel similar to Roberta to me, so it’s clearly just a me preference thing!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 05/10/2025 19:33

I like it, but I wouldn't use it if you don't love it. You could always use it as a middle name and pick something you really love as a first name.

JillyGiraffe · 04/10/2025 20:38

I like it! And think Bobbie is cute too!

Tagalogalog · 03/10/2025 15:44

Yeah a good name

Bertie or Bertie is cute as a nn

LauraFaye88 · 03/10/2025 15:43

i know of a Roberta McRoberts whose brother is Robert McRoberts.

KnightandDay · 03/10/2025 13:44

I went to school with a Roberta, who went by Bobbi - she was great fun!
@ThatPeachBee did you go with this name in the end? Baby must be well here by now.

AnniesMother · 03/10/2025 13:40

Absolutely love the name, was on my shortlist and would have been Bobbie after Bobbie in the railway children. Doesn’t work with my surname sadly

Firebird83 · 03/10/2025 13:37

I love it! It reminds me of the Railway Children. Bobbie is a good nn.

Calliopespa · 01/10/2025 19:11

It's a lovely classic name and no, not remotely a crazy idea.

It doesn't get used enough IMO.

Bobbie is extremely sweet as a nn, and Roberta is a good grown up name. I also think this is a lovely gesture to your FIL.