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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bobby as a girl’s name

87 replies

Semma · 19/07/2025 14:49

What does everyone think of this? I love that it is the more masculine spelling, feels cool and edgy but also cute. But just need some positive reinforcement as most current online threads really slam it as a full name!

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Loubylie · 19/07/2025 19:18

Just checked and Bobbie Gentry was a Roberta. Roberta Lee Streeter. Very cool name.

Ddakji · 19/07/2025 19:16

CurlewKate · 19/07/2025 18:30

Yep. Then you can call your next son Sophia.

Why would she do that?

Loubylie · 19/07/2025 19:15

I would spell it Bobbie in honour of Bobbie Gentry. Great name.

yellowdress34 · 19/07/2025 19:11

Please don't.

Pinty · 19/07/2025 19:03

EmpressaurusKitty · 19/07/2025 18:54

I’ve never understood why a name being ‘sweet’ or ‘cute’ is a good thing unless you’re naming an animal or nicknaming a small child. Or where the line is between sweet, cute and twee.

I’m short & have always looked younger than I am - not so much now but for a long time, & got utterly sick of the patronising comments. Getting taken seriously was hard enough on occasion without having a ‘cute’ name on top.

I think it's because people focus on naming a baby or small child. It's difficult to imagine your tiny baby as an adult.
But I agree people need to bear in mind that their child will spend most of their life as an adult.

Somethingtosayagain · 19/07/2025 19:03

Read this thread, save everyone making the same points about giving girl's boy's names (and how the opposite NEVER happens

Be proud of your girl. (Robyn is nice!)

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JillyGiraffe · 19/07/2025 18:55

Robyn nn Bobby is such a lovely idea! Then she has options for when she’s older. Robyn sounds more ‘adult’.

EmpressaurusKitty · 19/07/2025 18:54

I’ve never understood why a name being ‘sweet’ or ‘cute’ is a good thing unless you’re naming an animal or nicknaming a small child. Or where the line is between sweet, cute and twee.

I’m short & have always looked younger than I am - not so much now but for a long time, & got utterly sick of the patronising comments. Getting taken seriously was hard enough on occasion without having a ‘cute’ name on top.

Clarabellawilliamson · 19/07/2025 18:53

I have a Roberta that we call Bobby. She was very nearly a Robin but was due at Christmas and I didn’t want it too ‘themed’. I love her name, she is never teased for it or called ‘Booby’ or any of the other mad things people suggest on here.
for the person who asked if you would call your son Jean- I was very very close to using Gene- does that count?!

if you like it, use it.

Princessfluffy · 19/07/2025 18:40

It’s a bit of a statement to give a girl a unisex name that is more commonly a boys name and with the masculine version of the spelling.
Could potentially be a burden for the child.

CurlewKate · 19/07/2025 18:30

Yep. Then you can call your next son Sophia.

rosesandkisses · 19/07/2025 18:28

reminds me of her from home and away

as an aside I knew a bobby socially and she was insufferable so hard no from me

Ddakji · 19/07/2025 18:27

I never get MN’s obsession with “proper” names. I have a “proper” name which I have never in my life used. The only things it’s in are those that relate back to my birth/marriage certificate. I never use it at work, it’s not on my CV.

Pretty much no one asks if I have that name. Because no one cares outside the name snobs here.

And I don’t really get the issue with the “male” spelling. Most kids these days won’t even know Bobby as a male NN for Robert, nor care that it “should” be spelled Bobbie (or even Bobbi - gasp) for a girl. There are no male and female spellings for Alex, are there? And Sasha as a boy’s name is become more common as it’s a male diminutive elsewhere in Europe.

user2848502016 · 19/07/2025 18:17

I like it but would go Roberta on birth certificate so she has a “grown up” name in the future

TheEndlessNight · 19/07/2025 18:16

I really like the name although would spell it Bobbie. Like other posters it reminds me of the railway children.... Doubt future generations will know that film at nursery, school etc.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/07/2025 18:13

Liliwen · 19/07/2025 17:08

I taught a Bobbie many years ago. She suited it

It looks like boobie to me

lovemycbf · 19/07/2025 18:08

Im not a fan
especially the male version spelling.
Edgy try hard names are a bit naff

Viviennemary · 19/07/2025 18:03

It's pretty awful. Not a name to be taken seriously.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/07/2025 18:03

No. It’s a poo where I am
from.

newfriend05 · 19/07/2025 18:02

Personally I love it , one of the most inspirational special-needs teachers that I ever met was called Bobbie .. so for me it will always be linked to her .. she was so kind , and beautiful in a really lovely way ..

MargaretMarigold · 19/07/2025 18:02

I like it. I also knew a female Joey once and that was cool too.

Bowling4soup · 19/07/2025 18:02

Not too keen but there is a girl in DS class called Bobby. They’re age 5/6, I just asked him but he doesn’t know if it’s short for anything

muggart · 19/07/2025 18:02

I just think Bob the Builder. I certainly don’t get the edgy/ cool association. It’s a bog standard bloke’s name like Phil or Gary.

NeverTrustTheScales · 19/07/2025 18:01

What ever the opposite of cool and edgy is, it's that.

LucieLemon · 19/07/2025 18:00

Have worked with an adult Bobby, it suited her, I didn’t give it a second thought.

It’s only on Mumsnet I hear how much the “wrong” name will hold you back and cause career problems in later life.