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Baby names

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

Original poster

Phoebe or Poppy

65 replies

girlmum6 · 29/07/2025 13:26

Hi there, husband likes Poppy for our daughter due in a few months. I prefer Phoebe. (I also quite like Clara). Please can I get other peoples preference. Thanks

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Calliopespa · 16/09/2025 20:06

Violetsspa · 29/07/2025 15:08

I find Phoebe such an ugly name …fee/bee has no redeeming qualities

I'm sorry but I sort of agree with this op - though I know its classic and many love it. I wouldn't call it a weird name, but it does make me think of both amoeba and feeble.

I seem to have typed that comment a lot lately on here, so I'm guessing its also getting very common atm.

Poppy is sweet but is it really good as a BC name for life? To me its a lovely nn.

Whatever you do don't go for Phoebe Poppy or Poppy Phoebe: it sounds like a batch of popcorn in the microwave.

Clara, however, I LOVE!

Cookiesandbeans · 16/09/2025 09:45

I don’t think of Phoebe as fee-bee but as Fibi which is actually a name on its own.

Cookiesandbeans · 16/09/2025 09:41

I love Phoebe! It’s cute but it still suits both a child and an adult, it’s got a beautiful meaning and feels like a classic name . I know a couple of Phoebe’s -both of them are clever, lovely little girls .
I also like Clara.

Fartughtyred · 15/09/2025 20:57

Violetsspa · 29/07/2025 15:08

I find Phoebe such an ugly name …fee/bee has no redeeming qualities

Couldn't agree more (although I used to think it was pronounced 'Fobe' 😅

lrjh · 15/09/2025 20:50

custardcreamx · 29/07/2025 20:20

As a fellow Poppy (outing myself here, but oh well!) I’m quite offended by some comments😂 I’ve always had compliments on my name saying how lovely it is and never have I heard of it as wet (well… not to my face). Poppy would clearly be my vote lol

lol, absolutely agree. I have a Poppy, albeit not named by me. I wouldn’t change it, she is vibrant, bold, wild. The comments about Poppy sounding wet are so interesting, given what it represents.

i do love Phoebe, and we may have gone with it. However I’m a HUGE friends fan and every single time I see it I repeat
p is for Phoebe
h I’d for heobe
o is for obe
etc

thats a very small reaction I am sure 😂

We have a Klara in work. She is an absolute darling. The K seems to give it something?

Pyjamatimenow · 15/09/2025 20:28

Phoebe is best

RuthW · 15/09/2025 20:25

Phoebe - Poppy isn’t a very good name for an adult.

luckylavender · 15/09/2025 19:50

I prefer Phoebe. I think Poppy is flimsy but also quite trendy / chichi now. Also Boris Johnson named his last child Poppy. He said her nickname is Pop Tart 🤢

falalalalaaaaaaaa · 15/09/2025 03:24

Much prefer Phoebe, and really love Clara too. Bee/Bea is a lovely nickname. Poppy is sweet but I think probably not as solid on an adult as it is a child, sorry.

LivingTheDreamish · 15/09/2025 02:57

I love Phoebe (also like Clara). I don't dislike Poppy, it's just not a favourite - there is something a bit insubstantial about it.

I don't see why you couldn't use Poppy as a nickname for Phoebe, it's quite sweet actually. But I suppose on balance it might be better for you and DH to settle on a name you both like rather than giving her two names!

Dearnurse · 15/09/2025 02:05

You could have penelope & use poppy , penny or nelly / nell as a nickname

TealSapphire · 02/08/2025 08:05

Phoebe! Was my 'girl name' for each of my four, all boys.

Fintoo · 02/08/2025 05:32

I’ve known several dogs and one cat called Poppy. If you called Poppy across the park, you might not get what you expected running towards you.

LuckyHare · 02/08/2025 05:13

I like poppy. Or penny?

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 01/08/2025 21:16

Phoebe

Poppy is one of those flower names that’s a bit wet. it is cute for a little girl though, so there’s no reason not to use it as a nickname - I know a little Penelope who is Poppy day to day

Bee is also a nice short form

gotellsomeone · 30/07/2025 15:41

Definitely Phoebe

MyMilchick · 30/07/2025 15:40

girlmum6 · 30/07/2025 12:31

Thanks all. I think if she is a Phoebe we won’t use Phoebs as her nickname but potentially Bea.

Feebs

MyMilchick · 30/07/2025 15:39

Phoebe

PurplePeugoet · 30/07/2025 15:38

you can call her Phoebe and have the nickname Jim of you want. Doesn’t have to be related!

zebrastripesarefun · 30/07/2025 15:33

I really like Poppy I have three friends children. All flower names. Poppy Rose and Daisy

luckylavender · 30/07/2025 15:24

Phoebe. Boris Johnson’s new daughter is called Poppy. He nick named her Pop Tart!

TempsPerdu · 30/07/2025 15:20

Phoebe is lovely - great meaning and has a lot more substance to it than Poppy.

Beachtastic · 30/07/2025 12:49

girlmum6 · 30/07/2025 12:31

Thanks all. I think if she is a Phoebe we won’t use Phoebs as her nickname but potentially Bea.

The trouble is, I'd think that was short for "Beatrice"...?

Unless it's "Be" in which case people might think you're making some sort of cosmic statement, maaaaaaaan...

Original poster
girlmum6 · 30/07/2025 12:31

Thanks all. I think if she is a Phoebe we won’t use Phoebs as her nickname but potentially Bea.

OP posts:
JeremyBearimysTimeKnife · 30/07/2025 12:03

I definitely prefer Phoebe. I get the concerns about Poppy not being ideal for a professional woman but I’m currently dealing with a solicitor called Poppy so clearly it hasn’t held her back too much!

Still, Phoebe is a more elegant choice to my ear. Both lovely names though.

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