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Baby names

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

Original poster

Charity

57 replies

MellowMellow · 24/05/2026 11:45

Has anyone ever met a girl called Charity? Thoughts on it? It’s quite a guilty pleasure name for me because I know many will see it as downmarket, but I think it sounds like it would be the name of a very wholesome, humble, and sweet person. I normally don’t care much about the meaning of names, but I also can’t ignore the fact that it has a lovely meaning. It’s appealing to me.

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IsItWickedNotToCare · 24/05/2026 21:40

Obviously Dingle springs to mind

Loures · 24/05/2026 21:37

It’s pretty. I do think that virtue names are always risky. What if the child is the opposite of what their name suggests? I guess that could apply to any name but is more obvious with names that imply a certain personality trait.

KnickerlessParsons · 24/05/2026 21:26

Bubblewrapart · 24/05/2026 19:43

@KnickerlessParsons you know I've heard the name Ernest so many times now that I think of it totally separate to the adjective. Took me a moment to realise what you meant! But agree on Hope, Patience, Prudence etc.

Please educate me on Augustus?

Someone who is ”august” (with the emphasis on the second syllable) is dignified and worthy of respect.

Zov · 24/05/2026 21:02

Not keen on Verity either. Not an awful name, but not great for a little girl in the 2020s.

Zov · 24/05/2026 21:01

I wouldn't @MellowMellow There are plenty of other names.

VeganSteakAndFries · 24/05/2026 21:00

Catlover1705 · 24/05/2026 19:55

Verity as an alternative?

Love Verity!
I used to know a woman called Fidelis - really suited her.

VeganSteakAndFries · 24/05/2026 20:59

Ipsevenenabibas · 24/05/2026 11:48

I would assume Charity is African/of African heritage or from a religious family.

This

user293948849167 · 24/05/2026 20:00

I haven’t, but it is a sweet name

Catlover1705 · 24/05/2026 19:55

Verity as an alternative?

imaravenGRONKGRONK · 24/05/2026 19:51

I think it’s lovely and don’t see how it could be worse than Grace or Hope or Faith. Love a virtue name, personally.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/05/2026 19:45

Charity Dingle on Emmerdale is what I think of. Not a name I’d choose, unless you were of a heritage where it is more popular.

Bubblewrapart · 24/05/2026 19:43

@KnickerlessParsons you know I've heard the name Ernest so many times now that I think of it totally separate to the adjective. Took me a moment to realise what you meant! But agree on Hope, Patience, Prudence etc.

Please educate me on Augustus?

ForPinkDuck · 24/05/2026 18:33

I feel sorry for women with virtuous christian names.

KnitWitsAnonymous · 24/05/2026 18:12

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/05/2026 17:55

Why is it problematic??

Show quote history

Charity shops, Charity bags, Charity runs, donating to charity etc etc etc

The word charity is used in so many ways and some people (in my experience, work colleagues) think it's the height of humour to make jokes about names like this

I know ladies called Joy and Ruth and both of them have had to endure jokes about them being joyful or ruthless

PurpleNightingale · 24/05/2026 18:06

I like the name and think its very beautiful. I am torn whether it is a bit of a heavy thing to put on a child having a character trait kind of name though. We have a boy in my sons class with a character trait name meaning calm and he is the least calm in the class. I worry that the irony of his name with his personality type probably makes the difference more noticeable/ highlighted.

She might be at risk of sniggering from other mums if Charity ever decides she doesn't want to share and isn't seen to be being 'charitable'.

KnickerlessParsons · 24/05/2026 18:00

I’d be worried that the child didn’t grow up to be a charitable adult!

I feel the same about all virtue names like Hope, Serena, Patience, Prudence, Faith, Ernest, Augustus, Clement, Victor etc.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/05/2026 17:55

KnitWitsAnonymous · 24/05/2026 12:06

I quite like it but wouldn't use it as a first name as I think it's too problematic. Would you consider using it as a second name?

I prefer the name Charis which means Grace

Why is it problematic??

BoleynMemories13 · 24/05/2026 13:26

Charity Dingle is a very well known soap character. The actress who plays her is amazing but you wouldn't want your child associated with her character. Anyone who has ever watched Emmerdale in the last 25 years or so will make the association immediately.

Anonymoususerhere · 24/05/2026 12:51

I personally know (or knew) an American Baptist pastor who has a daughter named Charity. The last time that I saw them was between 2010 and 2011. She’d be in her early 20s now. They’re white, so I wouldn’t say that the name is specific to a certain group. I will say that religious parents do seem to be drawn to it.

Stoicandhappy · 24/05/2026 12:37

Charity Dingle

Peanutlicious · 24/05/2026 12:36

I think it's really lovely

CaramacBar · 24/05/2026 12:18

I had a headmistress whose first name was Charity. She retired in about 84, so maybe born in the 20s. She may have had sisters called Faith and Hope.

Arlanymor · 24/05/2026 12:15

Bubblewrapart · 24/05/2026 12:06

My experience also.

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Mine too. Also all of these women have have been of the Christian faith too - only mentioning it this as if you met someone called Mohammed you might assume he was Muslim. Same goes for names such as those shared in the post I have quoted as regards a prevailing faith. Just something to consider if this matters to you as a consideration.

WhereistheAC · 24/05/2026 12:12

It's my name! White British, early twenties and not religious. I've always liked my name and never had any problems :) Use it, if you love it

compactmotif · 24/05/2026 12:10

think it sounds like it would be the name of a very wholesome, humble, and sweet person

Don't you think that's an unfair pressure and restriction to impose on a child? "I gave you this name because I want you to be this narrow specific kind of person and I will be disappointed if you don't live up to your name"?

Just pick a name with a beautiful meaning that doesn't declare it so ostentatiously to the world.

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