Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Tell me what your name is without telling me what your name is

807 replies

BatsatHalloween · 14/10/2025 17:20

My name has a male and female variant
It was number 36 the year I was given it
It was acceptable in the 80s
It's a bit French
It's also a little bit Essex
Most people shorten it

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Violinist64 · 14/10/2025 21:50

SeptemberOctober25 · 14/10/2025 19:34

Feels like it's the name of all the girls born in 1987 1988.

Gemma?

QuickPeachPoet · 14/10/2025 21:49

Spookyspaghetti · 14/10/2025 21:36

Lindsey

Show quote history

Correct! And correct spelling too!

bluedelphiniums · 14/10/2025 21:49

Whowahway123 · 14/10/2025 19:33

I went to Manderley

Rebecca!

Alexandrine · 14/10/2025 21:49

Mine is one of those names that is considered classic and timeless - but only with the “a” ending or “et” ending. I have the “a” ending version and it’s more popular internationally that it has ever been in the UK (where it has never reached the Top 50).

However in the “e” ending variation WAS uber popular in the UK during the 50’s-70’s - but particularly in the swinging 60’s due to a certain glamorous, fashionable actress.

My “a” variation is very literary -it’s mentioned in the Bible, and used by Shakespeare, the Brontes, Austen, Dickens… but Shakespeare was the one who made the “et” ending variation very famous.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 14/10/2025 21:48

SmolkedSamon · 14/10/2025 21:23

No. There is potentially someone on the thread with the same name. The clue is a little easier though than mine so won’t say it just yet. I always go by a shortened version these days. There was never anyone in my school in 90s with this name

Edited
Show quote history

Cecelia?

maras2 · 14/10/2025 21:48

Glowingup · 14/10/2025 21:24

Sarah?

Show quote history

Yep. No aitch though.

Notashamed13 · 14/10/2025 21:47

fraggiequeen · 14/10/2025 21:44

Gem/Gemma?

Show quote history

😁😃

IDontLikeSpam · 14/10/2025 21:47

I was born in the 70s and have never met anyone else ( even younger or older) with this name, even though it’s a very old name you’d think of as being very British.

It’s in a song.

You can shorten it and I have the shortened version. Very few people believe that the shortened version is an actual name and assume that my name is the longer version. I have had people actually argue with me about what my name is and what’s written on my birth certificate. (Not because it’s that unusual but because they are stupid and don’t understand that the shortened version is actually a name too).

I googled a list of famous people with my name and recognised only one person with my shortened version. A couple more with the longer version, but still not loads.

I don’t mind it now, but I hated it as a child. I would advise any parent wanting to call their child this name to think again.

Redhairandhottubs · 14/10/2025 21:47

QueenieBeeSmith · 14/10/2025 21:45

Welsh female sounds very much like pink stuff you clean your windows with

Gwendoline?

Thatsthewayilikeitt · 14/10/2025 21:47

bookworm14 · 14/10/2025 21:45

Kayleigh?

Show quote history

Got it in one 🌟

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 14/10/2025 21:47

QueenieBeeSmith · 14/10/2025 21:45

Welsh female sounds very much like pink stuff you clean your windows with

Gwendoline

Changingplace · 14/10/2025 21:46

It’s more often known as the surname of the author of what’s commonly cited as the first science fiction novel.

NotmeMother · 14/10/2025 21:46

Gwendoline?

Biscoffbiscuits · 14/10/2025 21:45

Handrearedmagpie · 14/10/2025 21:37

Ann?

Show quote history

Correct

bookworm14 · 14/10/2025 21:45

Thatsthewayilikeitt · 14/10/2025 21:44

Do you remember?

Kayleigh?

QueenieBeeSmith · 14/10/2025 21:45

Welsh female sounds very much like pink stuff you clean your windows with

Thatsthewayilikeitt · 14/10/2025 21:44

Do you remember?

EternalFogInMyNotSoSpoltlessMind · 14/10/2025 21:44

Whowahway123 · 14/10/2025 19:33

I went to Manderley

Haha, me too.

bookworm14 · 14/10/2025 21:44

RoosterSpud · 14/10/2025 21:43

Lucy?

Show quote history

Yes - that was too easy Grin

fraggiequeen · 14/10/2025 21:44

Glowingup · 14/10/2025 21:39

Ruby?

Show quote history

Gem/Gemma?

KalimeraMatera · 14/10/2025 21:44

ImplodingLoading · 14/10/2025 21:37

0ooh I like this game!mine was very popular in the 80s/90s, three others in my year at school. Can be shortened to a name in it's own right. Has a male equivalent.
No-one called this now aside from a very famously couple's son's, famous in her own right, wife.

Nicola?
Did you know that's a boy's name in Italian, like Andrea.
Caused endless amusement amongst officials checking my petite blonde friend's passport when we were back packing in Italy many moons ago.

Handrearedmagpie · 14/10/2025 21:44

ImplodingLoading · 14/10/2025 21:37

0ooh I like this game!mine was very popular in the 80s/90s, three others in my year at school. Can be shortened to a name in it's own right. Has a male equivalent.
No-one called this now aside from a very famously couple's son's, famous in her own right, wife.

Nicola

RoosterSpud · 14/10/2025 21:43

bookworm14 · 14/10/2025 21:43

I’m in the sky in a Beatles song!

Lucy?

bookworm14 · 14/10/2025 21:43

I’m in the sky in a Beatles song!

Holluschickie · 14/10/2025 21:42

AnAudacityofinlaws · 14/10/2025 21:41

Notorious scandal involving a high profile politician back in the day.

You are also Christine!
Unless you are a man. Then you are Norman. 😂

Swipe left for the next trending thread