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Baby names

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

Original poster

a proper name for 'Posy'

58 replies

LuluF · 04/05/2010 12:02

I love the name Posy, but feel that it's all very well being called Posy when you're a cute baby, but when you're a grown woman, it's not so appropriate.

I know that Posy is a diminutive of Josephine - the thing is we have a Joseph already - so that's a no no.

I'm trying to thing of other names that could be shortened to Posy. I thought of Jocelyn or even Rosalind, but husband remains unconvinced.

Any suggestions?

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swanandduck · 05/05/2010 13:34

If she grows up as 'Posy' it's unlikely she'll want to assume a different name as an adult. It's a hard one, though. A very pretty, fey or artistic kind of adult could carry the name. But if she grows up very sensible and wants to be a solicitor or work in a bank it might not work.

thumbwitch · 05/05/2010 13:23

Just had a somewhat off-the-wall idea - what about Mimosa? Unusual, Posy would be a nice nn for it and I bet you don't know another one.

DullthickMum · 05/05/2010 11:16

there is a posy at dd's school, real name josephine but everyone calls her posy.

thumbwitch · 05/05/2010 11:07

There is an India-Rose at my play group; and someone I know called their DD Lily Pink - also too sweet IMO.

Original poster
LuluF · 05/05/2010 10:58

Rubbish, isn't it? And Lily Rose - put off by Lily Rose from The Green balloon club on CBeebies and my little girl went to nursery with a Lily-Rose who was a bit of a minx. Almost too sweet a name - like Violet-Elizabeth...

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 05/05/2010 08:19

Mmmm, I know what you mean, there are a lot of few names I can't use for that reason!

Original poster
LuluF · 05/05/2010 07:21

I knew of a Portia who wasn't all that nice. Put me off a bit.

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 04/05/2010 23:28

LuluF - it is also a reference to the Sargent painting - the mum in the book goes and sees it and says what a lovely name for a child. Father resists and the child is called Lily Rose as a compromise.

You didn't fancy Portia then?

Original poster
LuluF · 04/05/2010 22:43

The only reason I thought of Jocelyn was because Josie is sometimes an abbreviation for Jocelyn as it is for Josephine (I was clutching at straws!!).

I think the Rose/Rosa/Rosemary route sounds more obvious, you're right - and I'm liking Penelope Rose...

OP posts:
imahappycamper · 04/05/2010 21:40

I know a lovely Rosemary. Perhaps it's worth considering.

cbmum · 04/05/2010 21:38

My sister is a Rosemary but she was called Rosie Posy when younger. (She's now 30).

CoupleofKooks · 04/05/2010 21:34

i think posy from ballet shoes was called 'posina' when she danced in films

telsa · 04/05/2010 21:32

I knew a Rosemary who was called Posy - maybe it came from Rosy Posy too. Maybe that is a common thing to do?

imahappycamper · 04/05/2010 21:32

I had a real name and a childhood name. Perhaps you could give her another(unrelated) name as a first name and put Posy in the middle but call her Posy until such time as she decides she has grown out of it. You never know, she might actually like being called Posy.
Can't see Posy as a diminutive of Jocelyn. My friend Jocelyn is called Joss.

LadyGardenia · 04/05/2010 21:05

Proserpina

you would want to watch "Prosy" though

Magaly · 04/05/2010 19:43

Thanks pointy. That's it, my genius is all used up now. [tired face]

pointydog · 04/05/2010 19:25

Penelope Rose a genius idea. Or just stick with Rose/Rosie

Original poster
LuluF · 04/05/2010 19:11

It's strange as my husband is terribly conservative usually - but he likes Posy, so it could be a contender - if we can just find a grown up name, too.

Not keen on Pauline either - and I won't suggest it - last time we were picking names I gave him the task of thinking of of some he liked (I kept coming up with them and he kept saying no!) - he came up with 'Yvonne' of all things. Now - I don't have anything against the name (and I don't want to offend anyone) but it's not a name I'd imagine many people would even consider currently, though I'm sure it's time will come.

OP posts:
janeite · 04/05/2010 19:02

Oh it's lovely...please, please use it. Dp wouldn't let me have it for dd2. I think Pauline could work actually but it's not the nicest name in the world.

MrsvWoolf · 04/05/2010 19:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PfftTheMagicDragon · 04/05/2010 18:59

Penelope
Rosalie

PrimroseCrabapple · 04/05/2010 18:56

Posy did not have another name. iirc gum put in his enc letter "her name unfortunately(regrettably?) is Posy"

Nana was unimpressed .

Magaly · 04/05/2010 18:47

Penelope Rose

Original poster
LuluF · 04/05/2010 16:44

Gosh - no I haven't read Family From One End Street - I thought you were referencing the John Singer Sargent painting.

We've already used Pearl in a middle name for an older sister. I'm uncertain of names beginning with 'Ph' as our surname begins with an 'F'. And Polly (which I like)with our surname reminds me of 'Polyphonic'.

Hmmmm. It's tricky.

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 04/05/2010 15:16

Persephone was the one that sprang to mind.

Or you could call her Carnation Lily Lily Rose, with Posy as a nn? (need to have read the Family From One End Street to get that reference)

Portia could become Posy

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