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Baby names

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

Original poster

Barbara

86 replies

bixley · 22/01/2009 20:26

WDYT? Is it ok or laughable? What nns, (not Babs or Barbie!)

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harpsichordcarrier · 22/01/2009 21:34

I like it but it is my sister's name and she is pretty much the loveliest person on earth.
I expect if I posted my family's names there would be huge amounts of sniggering

madlentileater · 22/01/2009 21:31

err....I know lots of Barbaras I consider my contemporaries
(old, mad, cat lady emoticon)

DevilsAdvocaat · 22/01/2009 21:31

yay!

Wispabarsareback · 22/01/2009 21:31

Daphne!!!

slackrunner · 22/01/2009 21:28

It's dreadful.

Original poster
bixley · 22/01/2009 21:23

Swoon at Daphne, that's now on the list!
thanks

OP posts:
DevilsAdvocaat · 22/01/2009 21:21

i taught a barbara nn barbie.
her sis was daphne.

they are both lovely and suit their names.

Nantucket · 22/01/2009 21:17

Mabel and edith are the generation before Barbara, Maureen and Joan so currently enjoying a revival.

Barbara will have to wait 10/15yrs for it's revival, but it will come.

Bixley is just ahead of the game.

I love Mabel by the way.

and Babette is way cool.(not that I really know anything about coolness though you should know).

differentID · 22/01/2009 21:16

There are very few Mabel's and Ivy's etc still alive, therefore you are less likely to meet them and form opinions on the name based on personal experience.
There are lots of Maureen's, BArbara's and Valerie's etc who are peoples mothers, Aunts, Batty old cat lady next door and therefore people are prejudiced against those names because of unpleasant associations.

Original poster
bixley · 22/01/2009 21:15

Barbara Bush the daughter is quite attractive and young!

OP posts:
Wispabarsareback · 22/01/2009 21:10

OK, can someone explain why Mabel and Edie and Ivy and other grim old-lady names are popular, but Barbara and Maureen are unthinkable?? NB I can't stand any of them, personally, but am genuinely baffled at why they become popular.

differentID · 22/01/2009 21:09

sorry that should have read This Barbara

differentID · 22/01/2009 21:09

Barbara gave birth to Dubya

Fragoluccia · 22/01/2009 21:03

I think it's one for the next generation to make cool, not ours

Original poster
bixley · 22/01/2009 21:03

Ah Nantucket, Mabel is also on my list!

So is it naff by association rather than because of the sound or look of the name?

It puts me in mind of Barnaby because of the Bar start and another b in the middle, pretty similar don't you think?

Ra Ra is a nn I hadn't considered, will mull over Babette,

Thanks for all your thoughts, I'm not put off yet!!

OP posts:
Califrau · 22/01/2009 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

satonthesofa · 22/01/2009 20:57

Did anyone see The Royle family at Christmas?

BabyBaby123 · 22/01/2009 20:54

terrible - sorry

Heated · 22/01/2009 20:49

NimChimpsky

differentID · 22/01/2009 20:44

What sort of job do you see a Barbabra doing?
I see a hairdressers known as Babs. Sorry

Nantucket · 22/01/2009 20:42

Dear dear, come on poeple it's so nerdy and outdated it's cool.

You can get away with it if you are, say Kate Moss? Or, Natalie Appleton?

Are you them? Or anyone a bit like them?

If you are super confident and super cool, poeple (who know you) will asssume it's cool.

Oovavu · 22/01/2009 20:36

It has to be said in a gruff northern accent. It's the name of the transvestite taxi driver in League of Gentlemen..... not a baby's name (although lol at 'Baby Barbara')

snuffyp · 22/01/2009 20:36

I,m with northernlurker i just think Barbara Cartland!whats with everyone now liking all the old fashioned names???

Zaftig · 22/01/2009 20:35

No, no nooooo. I can't even imagine it on a baby.

NimChimpsky · 22/01/2009 20:35

Good point well made, Bar-bera.