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Baby names

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

Original poster

Blythe

91 replies

brightonlad · 17/01/2009 21:14

My DW and I were completely settled on Blythe as the name for our 2nd DD until a dinner party at my parents when it got roundly slated by all in attendance. She's two weeks old now and we can't come up with another name we like as much. Before we 'stick it to the man' and go with it we want to try to understand what the haters don't like about it. Any insight?

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esmewitchery · 19/01/2009 00:56

Blithe is the original and correct for the meaning (look in any dictionary).I'm sure we can all guess the origins.
Blythe is from Blithe it is the surname.
I only know this as a surname or name for a boy. Hideous.

vlc · 19/01/2009 00:46

Erm, mimpumpkin, someone earlier described it as made up, hence my earlier post. Good for you that you have heard of it.

(Although you apparently advocate spelling it incorrectly )

mimipumpkin · 19/01/2009 00:31

Use Blithe if you like the meaning.
Otherwise it (Blythe) does look chavvy.

mimipumpkin · 19/01/2009 00:30

Of course we've heard of it before.

I don't assume it is new and invented, because it is a common surname

KerryMumbles · 19/01/2009 00:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

vlc · 18/01/2009 23:56

BTW, it's a really old English name - definitely not 'made up' or 'chavtastic', but rather elegant, classic and with a lovely meaning. The spelling evolved from blithe to blythe a long time ago.

I think because some people simply haven't heard of it before, they are assuming it must be new and invented, but they are mistaken.

Bertolli · 18/01/2009 22:50

PS i should also add- i really like Blythe too

Bertolli · 18/01/2009 22:48

If you love it, stick with it or you are sure to regret it.

We called our boy Bertie which raised a lot of eyebrows, but now everyone loves it on him. It really suits him and i really do enjoy saying his name every day (corny)

Gemzooks · 18/01/2009 22:37

I would sod them and go for it. It's not so outlandish or anything.. I don't like it a lot personally but like that it's unusual.. certainly not an unpleasant name.

jumblyuufa · 18/01/2009 22:22

Downmarket chav name

SmilePlease · 18/01/2009 21:43

Blythe is the name of a scary looking japanese doll. I used to have them as posters in my teenage years (i was most definately the freak of nature).

For this reason don't call your child this.

Google image it though... they are quite cute.

MenaMilou · 18/01/2009 21:40

Beautiful name

nooka · 18/01/2009 21:40

I have to admit I thought it was a boys name, and very dated (Forsythe saga spring to mind for some reason). However otherwise I would agree with the advice of those who say announce the name with the child. You are not going to please everyone whatever you choose.

helsy · 18/01/2009 21:34

I think it's lovely, elegant.

MrsMattie · 18/01/2009 21:33

I thought the word was 'blithe' not 'blythe'...? Isnt 'blythe' just a made up word? Like saying 'lyght' or 'smyle'...?

stillenacht · 18/01/2009 21:32

I think its quite a bohemian name - not chavvy at all.

dittany · 18/01/2009 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrannyandZooey · 18/01/2009 21:26

i love it - ds2's middle name is blythe
means happy - great name imo

babyneris · 18/01/2009 21:22

The Blythe I know isn't from a posh family.
Why being from a posh family should make a name acceptable though I've no idea.

stillenacht · 18/01/2009 21:09

Of course and thats yours. A family i know who have a Blythe are quite bohemian and posh. Lovely lovely family.

babyneris · 18/01/2009 21:07

That's your opinion, I think it is

stillenacht · 18/01/2009 21:06

I don't think Blythe is chavtastic at all.

babyneris · 18/01/2009 21:05

Chavtastical, it wouldn't be my choice.

jeanjeannie · 18/01/2009 20:58

Oh and Blythe is lovely and you both like it Plus, you keep coming back to it.

I've got two DDs and people have reactions to their names all the time and it's not like they're that unusual (Iris & Verity) When Verity was born we really divided the family But so what - WE love both names and that's all that matters!

wrinklytum · 18/01/2009 20:57

Do you know,I don't go for unusual names (DD has a "Popular" name but I actually quite like this.

IIRC there is an actress with this name (Blythe Duff)I have heard he interviewed and warmed to her(Scottish,in Taggart,largeish nose but quite attractive in an unconventional way)

I think it is a lovely yet unusual name and if you like it go for it