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Baby names

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Original poster

Matilda or Alice? And nn's

29 replies

JoPie · 23/05/2009 11:38

Which do you prefer, Matilda or Alice? Surname begins with an O' if that makes any difference.

Also wondering what nicknames you would use for both?

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MamaLazarou · 04/08/2009 15:12

Alice is nicer. You can only shorten it to Al, which not many people do.

Rachybabes · 01/08/2009 21:14

definatley Alice !!...Lissy for short xx beautiful and quirky. Matilda is (in my opinion) pretty but quite a tough name.

suwoo · 27/05/2009 22:43

DD was very nearly Mathilda, but is Madeleine.
I like Alice, but think its a bit meh. I'm not keen on the nn's of Mathilda/Matilda or Madeleine and luckily DD still calls herself her full name.

Wolfblass · 27/05/2009 22:29

Equally love both

Matilda, Tilly, Tils, Matty

Alice - Lee?, Ally ? Lissy, Al

Rachybabes · 27/05/2009 20:16

we have an Alice...we shorten it to Lissie !! (lissy ?)...she loves it and shes only two ! xx Beautiful name. Matilda i feel is quite a tough, hard name (think of the stroppy Matilda in the film). Tilda reminds me of the rice too !!, x

BottySpottom · 24/05/2009 12:21

Both beautiful. I too think of Alice being a name for a blonde little girl. I also remember meeting a very trendy, edgy adult called Alice and couldn't quite fit the name to her personality.

nooki · 24/05/2009 11:56

Definately Alice - much more classic. Agree that Matilda is quite 'trendy' at the moment and may date more than a classic name like Alice.

No need for a nickname for Alice imo - it's short enough.

violethill · 24/05/2009 11:56

Alice.

It doesn't lend itself to a nn which is an advantage! Matilda is lovely, but whatever you say, other people will call her Mattie, Tilda or (shudder) Tillie.

I also think Alice sounds better with an O surname. Plus Alice is more timeless, whereas Matilda has become very popular, and will therefore probably date equally quickly.

SlartyBartFast · 24/05/2009 10:47

alice doesnt really get a nickname.
perhaps al
or ali
but only at a push.

matilda might,

TheOtherMaryPoppinsDiets · 24/05/2009 10:41

I have an Alice and she occasionally likes to be called Ali but not often, it's such a pretty and short name it doesn't need a nn.

Alice is less popular right now than Matilda, if that's a concern.

I like Matilda too, we have a Tilly in the family

Cies · 24/05/2009 10:32

I prefer Alice, it seems to stand the test of time better.

Castiel · 24/05/2009 10:30

I have a Mathilda and we call her Mathilda usually but Tildy sometimes. I can't bear Tilly, it's too cutesy and 10 a penny.

Alice is a lovely and classic name too and I did consider it for dd.

Karam · 24/05/2009 10:20

Definitely Matilda. Alice always makes me think of people who are intellectually challenged (think media stereotypes - Vicar of Dibley, Casulty etc...)

BikeRunSki · 23/05/2009 18:24

I am an Alice and my name has rarely been shortened. Occassionally Ali, but nn mainly based on surname or distinctive hair, rather than on first name.

I am fair with blue eyes if that helps! But I know a dark grown up Alice too.

foxytocin · 23/05/2009 15:07

oh, both lovely but Alice is the bees...

fannybanjo · 23/05/2009 15:04

I was considering Alice for DD3 and we also have an O surname She ended up being called Esme though. I prefer Alice a lot more than Matilda.

leothelioness · 23/05/2009 15:04

I know an Alice shortened to Ali but to be honest its lovely and doesn't need a NN

sockmonster · 23/05/2009 15:00

Alice by a mile. Matilda, sorry to all matildas out there, is a lovely name and I don't dislike it.. but seems a bit faddy at the moment. Alice is a classic elegant name.

All I would say though, is that I think it depends on what she will look like- an Alice to me is fair haired, or dark but with blue eyes, whereas Matilda seems to fit a dark haired little girl. Maybe I am associating i with lewis carroll and roald dahl's characters but I wouldn't name a child Alice unless they looked like one.

KnitterInTheNW · 23/05/2009 14:05

Alice could be Lissie?

noddyholder · 23/05/2009 13:52

They are 2 of my faves If pushed I would go for alice

magbags · 23/05/2009 13:48

I prefer Matilda, I know a little girl called this and she is adorable. Alice is just ok for me.

gegs73 · 23/05/2009 13:45

I like both, though I prefer Alice. I don't think you would need to shorten it as its a pretty short name anyway. Matilda could be Tilly or Matty.

ohdearwhatamess · 23/05/2009 13:39

Love both. I think Alice would work better with an 'O' surname.

Not so keen on Tilly as a nn. Lots and lots of them round here.

Thunderduck · 23/05/2009 13:28

Matilda. Full version. I'm generally not a fan of nicknames. I don't see the need for them.

peppapig3 · 23/05/2009 12:10

Both lovely but slightly prefer Alice. Prefer the full version of both names.