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Baby names

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

Original poster

Impossible middle debacle or just choose the other name?

68 replies

julesmontgomery · 02/04/2026 19:03

We have tried and cannot possibly find a middle name that is of interest with the first name Marigold (who would go by Goldie). Many names flow easily with Goldie, but the hard "D" on Marigold has us a bit stumped. We don't want a simple and expected middle (like June, Kate, Jane, Mae, etc). Any ideas?

My husband says its a sign and we should just choose Clementine, which is our other choice.

I will take any feedback, including impressions of how the name ages, people you know who wear these 2 names, etc.

OP posts:
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Visiblyabove25 · 03/04/2026 13:35

I think they’re both absolutely lovely names, but I’d personally choose a plainer middle name, just in case you’re daughter ever wants to go by something more generic

Marigold Eve
Marigold Amelia
Marigold Ellen

Mumofgirls2017 · 03/04/2026 13:27

I love both prefer Clementine but if you prefer marigold go for that it’s lovely

marigold juliet
marigold eva
marigold sophia
marigold beatrix
marigold florence
marigold annabelle
marigold eliza
marigold phoebe
marigold stella
marigold aurora
marigold alice

NigellaDelia · 03/04/2026 09:17

SardinesOnButteredToast · 03/04/2026 06:44

It just makes me think of the old joke: 'They called her Marigold and hoped she would'.

I like it, it's pretty and it would go with so many of the names up thread. Back your hunch and go for it. Re Clementine - are you sure you wouldn't want to hold it in reserve for a future possible child?

Have you by any chance been reading The Sloane Rangers Handbook? That joke is in the names chapter and always made me laugh!

MirandaBlu · 03/04/2026 09:04

Goldie as a stand-alone, either first or middle, would first make me think it's probably a family surname - e.g., former Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie. Apart from that, it's also a very old-fashioned Yiddish first name for girls, probably from Golda. I prefer Clementine personally, but if you do choose Marigold I would definitely use the full first name. The hard D doesn't have to be an issue - just keep trying names you like and see how they sound with Marigold ___ Yourlastname.

JumpinJehoshaphat · 03/04/2026 08:45

Marigold is just awful. Use Clementine.

And don’t stress about the middle name. They are so unimportant in life, I wouldn’t care about the flow or how they sound with the name.

Oceangrey · 03/04/2026 08:39

I agree many middles work with Marigold
I like the suggestion above of another M name like Marigold Maya. Also liked above Marigold Naomi. But I'd always go for a middle name that is meaningful to you. After a relative, a book character, a virtue? Marigold Joy is pretty. I'd probably avoid another floral like Rose or Iris or Lily.

MikeRafone · 03/04/2026 07:33

Marigold Suzanne
Marigold Safiyya
marigold Sasha

the S softens the D

Shelby2010 · 03/04/2026 07:32

Sorry but Marigold just makes me think of the yellow gloves & Goldie is a Labrador. Stick with Clementine at least it’s just a fruit and an old song.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/04/2026 07:27

Alys
Caterina
Eleanor
Janie
Louisa

roshi42 · 03/04/2026 07:12

Love Marigold nickname Goldie! I think lots of names go as a middle but for flow how many syllables is your last name? And what letter does it start with? A vowel first name you need to be careful with initials.

If your last name is 1 or 2 syllables, then a 2 or 3 syallable middle name works with Marigold or Goldie I think.

marigold Elizabeth jones
goldie Elizabeth jones
marigold Constance parker
goldie Constance Parker

Lots of names work actually!

SardinesOnButteredToast · 03/04/2026 06:44

It just makes me think of the old joke: 'They called her Marigold and hoped she would'.

I like it, it's pretty and it would go with so many of the names up thread. Back your hunch and go for it. Re Clementine - are you sure you wouldn't want to hold it in reserve for a future possible child?

Rhibledd · 03/04/2026 06:03

I think Clementine Goldie is lovely not sure I’d want to be called Marigold. That said the Welsh name for Mary is Mari and gives her another option, and as much as I like Clementine, I hate the nicknames Clem and Clemmie/y

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 03/04/2026 05:22

Don’t use a middle name.

Elleoeez · 03/04/2026 05:13

Clementine Goldie or Goldie Clementine all the way!

Sorry - but I’d hate to be called Marigold, at any age,

mathanxiety · 03/04/2026 04:29

I chose Clementine because it's one of my favourite names, but there are lots of names that would go well after Marigold as a middle name.

Marigold Aurelia
Marigold Anneliese
Marigold Ottilie
Marigold Elspeth
Marigold Eloise
Marigold Ursula
Marigold Isobel
Marigold Estelle
Marigold Evangeline
Marigold Adelaide
Marigold Evelyn
Marigold Eleanore

They all begin with a vowel.

StartupRepair · 03/04/2026 03:39

Both lovely names. Goldie is sweet.
Marigold iris
Marigold Emma
Marigold Anne
Clementine Julia
Clementine Ruth
Clementine Maud

LivingTheDreamish · 03/04/2026 03:32

I do much prefer Clementine. I'm with your husband on this one.

Clementine Goldie or Clementine Marigold both work.

Ikeameatballs · 02/04/2026 22:57

I don’t mind either Marigold or Clementine but I really don’t like them together. I just feels too much.

Marigold Luna
Marigold Posy
Marigold Eve
Marigold Honor

Clementine Truly
Clementine Agnes
Clementine Jean
Clementine Ruth

Brainstorm23 · 02/04/2026 22:45

Marigold is awful in my opinion and Goldie really is a dog's name. You might as well call her daffodil.

BakedBeeeen · 02/04/2026 22:38

Apart from the kid’s christening or marriage you literally never say their first name followed by their middle name. So it really doesn’t matter - pick any middle name you like. Whats much more important is first name followed by surname. Does that flow nicely?

OliviaBonas · 02/04/2026 22:32

Clementine Marigold (or vice versa) is too much like Orange Yellow

Original poster
julesmontgomery · 02/04/2026 22:09

BaronessBomburst · 02/04/2026 19:31

Marigold Clementine Jones
Goldie Clementine Jones

Use both!

Do you think this works in reverse too? With Clementine as the first and Marigold or Goldie as the middle? Making Goldie a cheeky middle might be a nice option.

OP posts:
StationJack · 02/04/2026 19:55

Middle name Orange?

Riapia · 02/04/2026 19:48

How often are the two names going to be used together? Very rarely. So why is the way that they flow of any concern?

Fridgedooropen · 02/04/2026 19:44

julesmontgomery · 02/04/2026 19:10

We prefer a formal first name and Goldie as a first feels rather nickname-style for our tastes.

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In that case, what's attracted you to using Goldie day to day? And as @Happytaytos said, up till what age?