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Baby names

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

Original poster

We have narrowed it down to two names. Which should we use?

64 replies

artichokes · 10/10/2008 19:19

After an afternoon stuck in hospital DH and I finally had time to do some serious name chat.

The result is that DD2 will either be:
Hester, known as Hetty.
Alexandra, known as Alex.

Which do people prefer?

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nooka · 11/10/2008 22:58

dd really likes being named after two of her great-grandmothers. It's nice to feel your name has a good origin (ds is named after ancient English Kings). I did think slightly of Hester the Molester (John Irving) but I doubt anyone else will pick up on that

Original poster
artichokes · 11/10/2008 20:57

Hmmmm.
DH is throwing Sophia back into the mix.

OP posts:
mummysue · 11/10/2008 18:13

sorry but not too keen on hester,it reminds me of uncle fester from the adams family........sorry.i was going to call my daughter regina until someone pointed out it sounded like vagina so that put me off.

i always liked kaitlan but opted for madison which sounds like medicine,but hey i like it.we had the two names on shortlist and when she was borned looked like a madison.so id say hold the thought

lolianja · 11/10/2008 18:10

Definitely Alexandra.

brimfull · 11/10/2008 18:08

ooh I love Hester

am currently reading A prayer for Owen Meany and one f the characters is Hester Was just thinking last night that Hester was a lovely name

Playdough · 11/10/2008 18:05

Hester/Hettie.

TheOtherMaryPoppins · 11/10/2008 10:00

Hester

Original poster
artichokes · 11/10/2008 09:54

Thanks for all the comments so far. I thought Alexandra would be way more popular (it seems safer to me) but while a couple of people really hate Hester most of you have been really positive.

The fester associations don't bother me. The idea that Hester is "try hard" and Hetty is "twee" bother me more. So far they seem minority opinions. What do others thing?

MrsM - Hester is the Greek version of Esther. It is the name of the heroine in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel 'The Scarlett Letter'. It was DH's grandma's name which is why we thought of it. DD (2.2) heard us discussing it and loves it, she keeps saying "baby name Hetty please".

OP posts:
MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 10/10/2008 22:50

Hester. The world has enough Alexanders and Alexandras (fine names though they are).

nooka · 10/10/2008 22:47

I'd keep both and then see which suits your dd best. I have a friend with a Hetty (think she is a Henrietta, but she might be a Hester). Suits her very well.

Sesi · 10/10/2008 22:44

Hester is a great name - very classy. I wouldn't even shorten it to Hetty personally.

Alexandra is nice but too popular, a bit boring.

surprise · 10/10/2008 22:32

Hester - congratulations btw

LunarSea · 10/10/2008 22:30

Alexandra

BlackEyedDog · 10/10/2008 22:29

Hester and Hetty deffo

MrsMattie · 10/10/2008 22:29

Esther is a completely different name for me. It's biblical, feminine, lovely. Is Hester a variant? It's nowhere near as nice.

stripeybumpsmum · 10/10/2008 22:27

Both nice but remember what you choose to call DD may be different to what others choose, or what they themselves choose to be known by.

For that reason, I'd say Alexandra as it gives more options. Hetty is quite 'girly' if DD turns out to be tomboy.

Alex/Lexie/Zandra/Sandy/Al/Ali etc

Het/Hes/Hessy/Hetty/Hal

Your choice !

Sidge · 10/10/2008 22:27

I like Esther but not Hester at all.

Sorry, I know that's not what you asked!

Lizzylou · 10/10/2008 22:26

Alexandra, definitely

ingles2 · 10/10/2008 22:25

I know a lovely Hester....

WendyWeber · 10/10/2008 22:25

In fact you could probably call Harriet Hetty too...

(Not keen on Hester you see )

nappyaddict · 10/10/2008 22:24

hester definitely

WendyWeber · 10/10/2008 22:24

You can call Henrietta Hetty - does that help at all?

Otherwise I prefer Esther to Hester (but Esther doesn't lend itself to Hetty if that's what you really want)

Alex is cute though.

HTH

wilkos · 10/10/2008 22:23

alex

ninah · 10/10/2008 22:23

Nah, me too Mrs M. Alexandra every time!

FiveGoMadInDorset · 10/10/2008 22:23

Hester/Hetty lovely.