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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sheila, Lorraine or Glinda?

213 replies

plinkyplonk123 · 29/12/2025 21:00

I know these names are unconventional but I was thinking they might be nice. I was originally going to go for Sheila or Lorraine (Lorrie for short) but after watching Wicked I’m thinking maybe Glinda would be fun!

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maddiemookins16mum · 29/12/2025 22:16

I can honestly say they are three of the worst, although Lorraine less so.

RosesAndHellebores · 29/12/2025 22:16

If Sheila appeals, what about Shirley. At least it's pretty.

Lorraine just sounds very harsh. Lauren or Laura are better.

I have no words for Glinda. Gloria?

Joystir59 · 29/12/2025 22:14

I wouldn't call my worst enemy Glinda.

Dinosaurhearmeroar · 29/12/2025 22:12

If you do like Shelia why not go for ones that have that soft sound but are a bit more contemporary. Shelby? Or Shiloh?

with Greta, Greta Thunberg is too prevalent in the media for people not to make connections and think you’ve done it in homage.

Alison is a bit 80s and im not sure it’s gone full circle yet. Maybe just go with Ali?

LemaxObsessive · 29/12/2025 22:10

Please don’t name your baby after a Quiche

cobrakaieaglefang · 29/12/2025 22:10

Oh and my name is firmly 1950s , born 60s..

ForgottenPasswordNewAccount · 29/12/2025 22:10

Sheila out of those

Sìle is making a come back in Ireland

Haupt · 29/12/2025 22:10

FionnulaTheCooler · 29/12/2025 22:01

Not to put a downer on it, but the first thing I associate with Vivienne is that drag queen who died of a ketamine overdose earlier this year.

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I think of Vivienne Westwood - v talented.

Dinosaurhearmeroar · 29/12/2025 22:09

FionnulaTheCooler · 29/12/2025 22:01

Not to put a downer on it, but the first thing I associate with Vivienne is that drag queen who died of a ketamine overdose earlier this year.

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That’s quite niche though. I’m calling my
baby Bianca and my mum made the eastenders link (ricckkkkyyyy!!) but that reference has aged out now.

cobrakaieaglefang · 29/12/2025 22:09

If anyone seriously thinks they are better than the Evie, Edie, Cecily, Ruby names being bestowed on small children currently they are delusional. Names go in circles, 30 years ago the names above would have been unthinkable. Lorraine and Sheila will come back at some point. It's up to OP whether she uses them now though. I think she's got the point, and can see how judgemental some are about names.

HeartyBlueRobin · 29/12/2025 22:07

mrswhiplington · 29/12/2025 21:53

Me too. I can't believe how despised my name is. Makes me feel a bit crap.🥵

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Fortunately I'm not that bothered what people on MN think of my name. I probably wouldn't choose it myself but I can think of worse. 😂

Needmorelego · 29/12/2025 22:04

Of the follow up names Alison is lovely.
A really nice and pretty name.
It was very popular in my teens and it was at school with loads (late 80s).

Greta....not so great. A bit "clunky".

Needmorelego · 29/12/2025 22:02

Lorraine is fine. Nothing wrong with the name. Probably considered by many as "a bit dated" but names go in life cycles of popularity so it doesn't matter.
Sheila is ok but personally I just don't like it. No reason - just not a fan.

Glinda....no. Just don't.

Cat1504 · 29/12/2025 22:02

plinkyplonk123 · 29/12/2025 21:57

another name I was thinking of was Greta perhaps, or Alison maybe? They’re perhaps a tad bit less controversial?

No neither

FionnulaTheCooler · 29/12/2025 22:01

plinkyplonk123 · 29/12/2025 21:48

Vivienne! Ooh I like that!

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Not to put a downer on it, but the first thing I associate with Vivienne is that drag queen who died of a ketamine overdose earlier this year.

Dollymylove · 29/12/2025 21:59

I like Sheila. Time it was resurrected 😆

Waitingfordoggo · 29/12/2025 21:59

mrswhiplington · 29/12/2025 21:53

Me too. I can't believe how despised my name is. Makes me feel a bit crap.🥵

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I can’t speak for anyone else but for me it’s not that they have an awful sound or association, just that they’re very ‘of their time’ and it’s hard to imagine any of them for a baby.

Original poster
plinkyplonk123 · 29/12/2025 21:57

another name I was thinking of was Greta perhaps, or Alison maybe? They’re perhaps a tad bit less controversial?

OP posts:
LighthouseLED · 29/12/2025 21:57

mrswhiplington · 29/12/2025 21:53

Me too. I can't believe how despised my name is. Makes me feel a bit crap.🥵

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Most names are despised on here.

Other than Glinda, which is too linked to the Wicked film, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the names. Just probably a few years too early for a revival.

MN hates my name as well (not one mentioned on this thread so far!)

SheSpendsAFortune · 29/12/2025 21:55

They're all terrible.

sakura06 · 29/12/2025 21:55

I like Lorraine, but prefer Laurie or Lorna. I like Linda too (there was a thread on that recently)! I don’t think you can go with Glinda though!

GreywackeJ · 29/12/2025 21:55

When I was born in 1972, my dad really wanted to call me Lorraine. I’m eternally grateful that my mum put her foot down and refused.

loislovesstewie · 29/12/2025 21:54

Or Bunty?

Waitingfordoggo · 29/12/2025 21:54

Have you considered Pauline? Or Jackie?

mrswhiplington · 29/12/2025 21:53

HeartyBlueRobin · 29/12/2025 21:43

Well I'm one of the names! 😞

Me too. I can't believe how despised my name is. Makes me feel a bit crap.🥵