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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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Beachtastic · 30/07/2025 12:02

Phoebe is a nice name, but she will have a lifetime of telling idiots how to spell it.

Love the name Poppy, although perhaps partly because it reminds me of a gorgeous cat I once knew!

Clara is quite a nice name.

Berlinlover · 30/07/2025 12:02

Clara is a beautiful name. I’m not a fan of Poppy or Phoebe.

Emanwenym · 30/07/2025 12:00

Poppy - like it
Phoebe - like it, but don't like Phoebs
Clara - don't like it

Original poster
girlmum6 · 30/07/2025 09:39

Thanks all. Appreciate all the comments.

OP posts:
Norastroud · 29/07/2025 21:07

I actually think Poppy or Pops could work as a nn for Phoebe… it’s your decision!

All lovely names, my preference is
Phoebe
Poppy
Clara

LucasBuck · 29/07/2025 20:30

If you really want to use Poppy as a nickname but perhaps feel it’s too childish sounding for a first name then I think Penelope or at at push Persephone are probably the only obvious longer names (as the Pop letters plus “ee” ending are right there in the names, although obviously Penny and Percy are more common diminutives).

Or you could use Poppy as a middle name or give her middle names so that her initials spell P.O.P Surname. But really that’s a lot of work when you could just call her Poppy - it’s not my taste but it’s been a Top 50 name for over 20 years now (and Top 100 for nearly 30), so clearly it’s a name that a lot of people must like.

LlynTegid · 29/07/2025 20:26

I'd prefer Poppy. Only problem is that the latest Boris Johnson child has been given that name, though the least difficulties that young girl will face.

NC18264 · 29/07/2025 20:24

I prefer Phoebe. It’s a really lovely name. But it is extremely common now if that bothers you. It feels like every other little girl under the age of 3 is called Phoebe.

GlaikitWeeNyaff · 29/07/2025 20:24

Phoebe is more timeless and works at every age.

Firsttimebabymummy · 29/07/2025 20:22

Much prefer Pheobe! Lovely name

I know too many dogs/horses/pets called Poppy.

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

lljkk · 29/07/2025 20:14

The only Poppy I know in real life (an adult) is extremely feisty... tbh, I would only choose Clara from that list. I Have same gut prejudices against the other names that PP said. But obviously i know a Poppy who is anything but wet !!

PeachPumpkin · 29/07/2025 20:13

I like all three. I wouldn’t choose Poppy as a name for my child as I have a tendency to mistype it as Poopy. As for Clara, would you pronounce it Clara to rhyme with Tara or Clara to rhyme with Sarah?

notanothersummercold · 29/07/2025 19:55

Phoebe, Clara, Poppy would be my ranking

dammit88 · 29/07/2025 19:50

Poppy is pretty to me. Clara sounds a bit hoity toity. Phoebe makes me think of friends!

Original poster
girlmum6 · 29/07/2025 19:50

Thanks @JamesWebbSpaceTelescopeand @BoleynMemories13. I think you are right.

OP posts:
BoleynMemories13 · 29/07/2025 19:48

girlmum6 · 29/07/2025 19:45

Thanks all. Possibly a bit of a stretch but do you think Poppy could perhaps be used as a nickname if we went for Phoebe as her official name? I thought it could perhaps be a compromise…thanks.

Well technically nicknames can be anything you want them to be and don't have to be linked to the name at all, but personally I'd find this contrived. After all, there is no P sound in Phoebe.

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 29/07/2025 19:48

I don’t think you can use Poppy as a nickname - they aren’t related at all. Sorry.

Original poster
girlmum6 · 29/07/2025 19:45

Thanks all. Possibly a bit of a stretch but do you think Poppy could perhaps be used as a nickname if we went for Phoebe as her official name? I thought it could perhaps be a compromise…thanks.

OP posts:
Moreteaandchocolate · 29/07/2025 17:02

I like all three - my order would be

  1. Clara
  2. Pheobe
  3. Poppy
ChocolateCinderToffee · 29/07/2025 16:49

Phoebe has been one of my favourite names for decades. Love Clara too.

I've personally known two dogs and a cat called Poppy so wouldn't use it for a child for that reason.

BootballJoy · 29/07/2025 16:42

Really like Phoebe. Poppy is twee to me.

DemonsandMosquitoes · 29/07/2025 16:24

Phoebe.
Poppy is rather wet.
Love Cara though (not Clara but similar).

JillyGiraffe · 29/07/2025 16:08

I much prefer Poppy and really like flower names/classic names for girls. It’s perfectly suitable for children and adults alike. I’m not keen on Phoebe but if you like it, go for it!

Stickytreacle · 29/07/2025 16:05

Clara, not keen on Phoebe and agree with others about Poppy being too cutesy and babyish.