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Baby names

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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.

OP posts:
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ButterflyMcQueen · 09/05/2008 22:02

Miriam by absolutlely miles

Beautiful - soft - feminine without being silly or 'in vogue'

Spidermama · 09/05/2008 22:00

Polly.

Janni · 09/05/2008 21:59

Miriam sounds very Jewish to me, Laura is nice but common, Elise is very pretty. Polly is OK but sounds slightly fey to me.

I would choose Elise.

tortoiseSHELL · 09/05/2008 21:56

Leda, I bet I know that same violinist - does her surname begin with D?

ElizabethBeresfordSW19 · 09/05/2008 20:19

Thanks Grape! It's funny really. I had such a crisis over it. And now, a few weeks later, I think... well, I didn't say anything on here that I didn't tell everybdy anyway. the only difference is that in real life you only mention what's appropriate when you think that confidence would be welcome (if that's the right word). I mean, if my DC's teacher knows my situation. It's creepy not knowing who the person is. But I've dealt with worse!! It has made me more careful about what I reveal. Even if the lurker is on here and knows who EB is, I can deal with that now. I have a large g&t half drunk beside me. Maybe that's why I'm so cool about it right now!

GrapefruitMoon · 09/05/2008 20:04

ElizabethB - just figured out a day or two ago who you used to be - glad to see you are still around! My memory is so crap I have actually forgotten what your previous MN name was but I know you had to namechange iyswim. Just thought I would mention this in case the person who caused you to name change is still lurking and also figures out your new persona.... if I can, they could. Might want to be a bit careful of what you say for a while

ElizabethBeresfordSW19 · 09/05/2008 18:59

Polly came from Mary? Really? i wouldn't have guessed that. Daisy and Pearl were nns for Margaret too weren't they? It's a versatile name. Margot, maggie, Greta, Daisy, Pearl. you could name a basketball team with just Margaret.

I love that a 'Pollyanna' sees the best of everything. She's an optimist isn't she??

StopSpyingYouFreak · 09/05/2008 18:45

Laura

wessexgirl · 09/05/2008 18:44

Polly, like Molly, was originally a pet name for Mary (which I suppose makes as much sense as 'Peggy' for Margaret). The nurse at our GP practice is called Polly too, but hers is short for Pauline. My Polly loves being the subject of so many nursery songs and rhymes - her sister gets quite jealous .

ElizabethBeresfordSW19 · 09/05/2008 18:41

WEssexgirl, I was wondering if Polly was originally short for anything. I know Molly came from Mary and Sally from Sarah because of French-speakers difficulties pronouncing the r. (not sure why french-speakers would have a baring on English nns though).

I can't think of any name that starts with Par or Por.....

I LOVE the name Polly though.

Joyce I dislike, but I love JOy. And Joyce will probably sound cool in about two years!!

Miriam makes me think of Miriam Stanley from the second series of the apprentice. She was one of the best contestants ever.

Elise makes me think of the car.

Marjory is not a nice sound. I don't care that it's dated. I love some dated names. Valerie for eg.

brimfull · 09/05/2008 18:06

I like in order of preference

Laura
Polly (could be Paulina shortened)
Elise
Miriam

itsahardknocklife · 09/05/2008 18:06

Laura is a favourite name for me, as well. If we ever get around to having another child and we have a daughter, Laura is at the top of the list.

GrapefruitMoon · 09/05/2008 18:03

Elise or Laura would be my choice - Polly is too much of a "pet" name/nickname to me.

Not really sure about Miriam - would prefer Mariam which is how it is spelled in most of the area it originates I think...

suedonim · 09/05/2008 17:59

I like Miriam. It's different but a name people recognise, iykwim.

janeite · 09/05/2008 17:42

Elise is my favourite - even after years of listening to kids do "Fur Elise" for piano practice!

I'm afraid Polly (whilst pretty) just says "Fawlty Towers" to me and I can't help thinking of it in a Manuel accent - sorry .

itsahardknocklife · 09/05/2008 17:37

I like Elise. It reminds me of a song by the Cure.

pointydog · 09/05/2008 17:33

Miriam is a nice sound. Doesn't scream religion. Elise is nice too.

I wouldn't pick Polly. A bit Blyton

JulesJules · 09/05/2008 17:26

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Leda · 09/05/2008 17:18

It is interesting how name associations work Nancy66. I do think Brenda, Joyce and Marjory all sound a bit dated, but I really wouldn't group Miriam with them.

The only Miriam I know is a very talented violinist (who also happens to be rather sexy) so in that sense I have only good associations with the name.

OP posts:
wessexgirl · 09/05/2008 17:11

Polly for me (I've got one).

ElizabethBeresfordSW19 · 09/05/2008 17:06

Miriam is cool. It's cool because the masses don't get it. It's a bit like Nancy, Margot and Lois actually.

Nancy66 · 09/05/2008 17:00

when I said Miriam was not a name that would ever be 'sexy or cool' I just meant that i (personally - no offence to any Miriams or mothers of Miriams) would lump it in with names like: Brenda, Joyce and Marjory.

ElizabethBeresfordSW19 · 09/05/2008 17:00

Polly! I like Miriam too.

tortoiseSHELL · 09/05/2008 16:58

French version of Miriam is Myriam. Dd is very biblical as is Miriam Ruth!

tortoiseSHELL · 09/05/2008 16:57

Miriam is undoubtedly the nicest (my dd is Miriam). I loved her name from the moment I thought of it, and I love it more every time I hear it!