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Baby names

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

Original poster

Miriam, Elise, Laura or Polly?

82 replies

Leda · 09/05/2008 10:56

Please help, I?ve completely over-thought this and I?m sick of it, but can still not make up my mind.

We have more or less settled on Miriam as a name for dd2 due in two weeks, but I?m suddenly worried that it is too religious (we?re not) or something.

We also like Elise (dh?s favourite), Laura and Polly. Two syllable surname starting with Gar (like in garden). Is one of them obviously better that Miriam? Are they all awful? I am not overly sensitive about this so please say.

I?m open to other suggestions too.

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mylittlepudding · 12/05/2008 20:42

Laura (Lauren, Laurel) and Elise were both in our top 5. I do think "Jewish" with Miriam - but that's not a bad thing, just a reflection of where I have worked/ lived.

mazzystar · 12/05/2008 20:35

all brill, especially miriam and polly

CristinaTheAstonishing · 12/05/2008 20:32

MrsBadger - in Romanian Laura is pr. LA-oo-ra, with the emphasis on the first a. It sounds lovely to my ears.

TotalChaos · 12/05/2008 09:00

I think they are all lovely. Not very helpful am I

electra · 12/05/2008 09:00

But agree - maybe wait and see what seems to suit her.

electra · 12/05/2008 08:59

I would choose Laura.

tortoiseSHELL · 12/05/2008 08:45

MI - dd isn't a PFB, but a first girl, and I agree with you about expecting EVERYONE to think the name amazing! And most people do. However when we told my dad her name, he said 'you'll be using her middle name then...'

We have had loads of lovely comments about her name - a gran at school said to me the other day how every time she hears Miriam's name she thinks what a beautiful name it is.

squanderedzeitgeist · 12/05/2008 02:40

like Polly best...had a great friend called Polly and still think it's really pretty.

then Miriam, which would be unusual nowadays,and has a certain allure

not a great fan of Elise or Laura. Laura is a bit dull

Tortington · 11/05/2008 19:09

elise is a tracksuit or a car
miriam stoppard
laura - ambivolent at best.

Polly put the kettle on - however its a pretty name

motherinferior · 11/05/2008 19:04

Ah, you see my Miriam was my PFB so obviously I expect everyone in the entire world to think her name and everything else are utterly marvellous .

Actually I like Elise too.

Buda · 11/05/2008 14:49

DS was supposed to be Laura! Didn't suit him though when he turned into a boy!

Am liking Miriam Elise a lot though.

Original poster
Leda · 11/05/2008 14:21

Oh I hope you are not offended by the thread Motherinferior.

I really think it is a great name: Plain without being dull, beautiful without being frilly. Most of the comments on the thread have confirmed this, I think.

And I actually find the really astonishing ease with which I've managed to dismiss all the more negative comments a good sign that I should just go with it.

I really appreciate everybody's input. I'm quite surprised by how useful this thread has turned out to be.

OP posts:
mumblesmummy · 10/05/2008 18:45

I don't like Miriam as I know one who is soooooooooo beyond snotty and pretentious and so I associate it with her.

I really like Elise.

Jenbot · 10/05/2008 18:39

I like Miriam and Elise best out of the four.

matildax · 10/05/2008 18:23

lol sorry motherinferior

matildax · 10/05/2008 18:20

i have a daughter laura, i think its a lovely name, its not too babyish or cute. and manages the transition from baby to lady very well.(shes 19 now.)
polly is sweet, but perhaps a little twee???? elise ok, not too keen to be honest, but miriam, imo is a religious "old" name like ethel. but its only my opinion!!!!
good luck with your baby. im sure whatever you decide, you will be thrilled with it, and thats whats important xx

RubyRioja · 10/05/2008 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

motherinferior · 10/05/2008 18:06

I am taking all the Miriam comments frightfully personally

lottiejenkins · 10/05/2008 18:02

Miriam is the name of the lady who helped to bring me up I love that name!!!

LaDiDaDi · 10/05/2008 18:01

I have a dd called Laura so that swings me but tbh I like them all apart from Elise.

ElizabethBeresfordSW19 · 10/05/2008 11:26

Yes that would be such an eye-roller! Here is my daughter Laura, pronounced la-oor-a!

Lowra I like though. I had a Spanish friend called Lowra. Obviously written down it was still Laura.

MrsBadger · 10/05/2008 11:00

who says La-oo-ra? lots of people in Europe say L-ow-ra (like Fowler) but have never heard La-oo-ra

ninedragons · 10/05/2008 07:31

Miriam is simply fabulous.

I am actually a little bit jealous that I didn't consider it for our DD.

snowwombat · 09/05/2008 22:30

They are all lovely, but I do love Elise- complete bias as it is my best friend's name and she is absolutely beautiful!

CristinaTheAstonishing · 09/05/2008 22:07

I like Laura (esp. La-oo-ra). I have a niece called Miruna (Mee-roo-nah), i don't know if it's a variation of Miriam, but I think it's lovely.

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