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Baby names

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

Original poster

Flora = margarine?

78 replies

soundbites · 13/10/2008 13:51

We already have an Isla and hoping that this bump is a little Gregor, but if it is another girl we are finding it hard to think of another name with Scottish leanings (to go with our surname). I like Flora and DH quite likes it but struggles to get away from the margarine connection. What do you think?

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Lubyloo · 14/10/2008 21:21

I love the name Flora but Dh vetoed it because of the margarine connection. I will push harder for it next time!

Heated · 14/10/2008 21:18

Adore the name Flora.

Far too posh in our house to make the connection to a margarine.

ScottishMummy · 14/10/2008 21:16

congratulations on your pg but fgs dont be swayed by a bunch of strangers your choice you decide

thing about name threads is some will love name some will not

all opinions valid, but that's what happens when you ask a range of opinions

you get them

i wouldn't select a name on basis of responses on a thread.v personal up to you

Original poster
soundbites · 14/10/2008 21:04

Agreed, Anna ? thanks very much for the positive comments! Made me feel more confident about it.

Flora MacDonald (our surname is Mc) was the inspiration for the name. Catriona (problematic pronunciation and several Catherines, and variations on this spelling, in the family) and Iona (don't really want Isla and Iona) don't work for me. Lovely to hear of a 12 year old Flora who the name really works for (and the 2 year old, of course!).

Thanks for your time.

xxx

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 14/10/2008 19:27

Nice to get a vote of confidence given what has been said by some on this thread.

TheFallenMadonna · 14/10/2008 19:23

I think Flora is a smashing name.

Anna8888 · 14/10/2008 19:21

Tarantella - a friend of mine whose maiden name was MacDonald named her daughter Flora

SheSellsSanctury · 14/10/2008 19:20

I think it is lovely. My DS is called Gregor and it is a great name.

2 good choices.

Tarantella · 14/10/2008 18:02

We have a 12 year old Flora, I had never heard of the spreads easily campaign although my Dh was very worried about margarine. Anyway still love the name chosen over Catriona which didn't really go with our surname. Wanted a Scottish name and I named her for Flora Macdonald and to date no major problems. She was the only Flora at a school of 400 kids packed with Ellies, Millys, Lucys and Bethanys to name but a few of the common duplicates.

Scarletibis · 14/10/2008 12:58

oh i loved Flora but also have a husband who had issues with the margarine thing.

(as well as Tamsin 'too much like tampon )

Scottish names - Iona, Catriona

elliott · 14/10/2008 12:51

I see its just me then. Everyone else is thinking 'who's cecil parkinson?'

Piati · 14/10/2008 12:42

Flora is really sweet! Ignore the idea of marg/spreads easily jibes, they just show up the ignorance/bad taste of anyone who makes them.

Original poster
soundbites · 14/10/2008 12:40

Good luck for number 3 Frazzled! I wouldn't mind two girls, but think that if we do DH might suggest a third baby in case we get a boy third time lucky. Our family has loads of girls so a girl is perhaps more likely.

xx

OP posts:
Megglevache · 14/10/2008 12:40

There was a Flora at one of my after school groups and she was teased mercilessly and told that she spreads her legs easily.

That said, I do think it's a beautiful name. I had a Fleur at school too.

Pruners · 14/10/2008 12:40

Message withdrawn

AnybodyHomeMcFly · 14/10/2008 12:39

Flora's a lovely name, Iona as someone else mentioned also great although maybe you don't want two 'I's

frazzledoldbag34 · 14/10/2008 12:35

Hope you get your boy, but I have to say I have 2 girls (one Flora) and it is just fab! (and I have another ??maybe girl on the way!) Good luck.

elliott · 14/10/2008 12:33

I'm sorry but to me Flora=cecil parkinson's love child
but that obviously dates me somewhat!

Original poster
soundbites · 14/10/2008 12:32

Thanks everyone!

Got until early April to decide, ages really ? I didn't grow up in the UK so the margarine connection isn't on my mind. Must admit I haven't heard the other uses for Flora, but find I'm not too put off by them. Funny about the dog called Flora. DH's stepmother begged us to take Angus off the boys' list because she'd had a dog by that name! Really don't like Florence which is odd considering they are such similar names. Rather hoping we'll be spared any decisions by having a boy! Thanks for liking Gregor, BigBadMouse.

OP posts:
ScottishMummy · 14/10/2008 10:00

flora i think old fashioned scottish name, wee grannies.bonnie prince charlie girlfriend

but yes skin flora and mrsa, and StrepB does spring to mind now you mention it

BigBadMouseInHauntedHouse · 14/10/2008 09:59

I didn't think of the margarine - 'tis next doors dog's name but I think it is fine for a little girl. I would connect it to flora and fauna far more than a tub of margarine anyway..

Really like Gregor though

findtheriver · 14/10/2008 09:42

Now Florence is lovely

cupchar · 14/10/2008 09:37

what about Florence?

findtheriver · 14/10/2008 09:35

LOL at that last comment - I don't think it's got anything to do with whether you eat margarine. The 'spreads easily' slogan was a marketing device and as such was widely known in the UK, and some years ago 'Flora' did tend to be used as a vulgar term for a slapper.

Though having read the post about vaginal flora, I think I could never use the name for that reason alone!!

Anna8888 · 14/10/2008 09:13

My half-French half-English daughter is a Flora. And there is another one in her class at school, who is Brazilian.

There is no Flora margarine in France. But quite honestly I wasn't remotely bothered by the association. I suppose it depends whether you and the people around you eat margarine.

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