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Baby names

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

Original poster

Iris - yay or nae?

33 replies

emmyloo2 · 24/05/2010 16:55

I was quite set on my list of girl's names with Elizabeth, Isabelle, Rose, Juliet and Josephine on the list. I love all of these but none of them have made me think "this is the name".

I came across Iris last night. Am I overthinking this? Should I stick to the names on my list. I want a lovely name which is not too popular at the moment. My husband loves Isabelle and while it is a lovely name, I can't help thinking that it is just too popular. I would prefer something where people think "oh that's a lovely name" without thinking "of course they named their new baby daughter [X]". if that makes sense.

Thanks!

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pointydog · 25/05/2010 21:57

not keen. Harsh.

umf · 25/05/2010 21:52

Lovely. Yes, coming back as part of the old lady name revival - but isn't that just a natural part of a 4 generation name cycle? Not as popular as Rose, Grace, Isabelle. I've only seen one Iris in DS's (3 yrs) circle of acquaintance. Such a pretty name!

flamingnora · 25/05/2010 21:46

Iris is a lovely name!

brennannbooth · 25/05/2010 14:51

Yay yay yay.

shieldbug · 25/05/2010 14:50

Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, hence the fact that the name is used for the coloured portion of our eyes. The flower is beautiful too, so reckon it has good connotations all round. Go for it!(Btw if current bun in the oven is a girl, I have been considering it for a middle name).

swanandduck · 25/05/2010 12:46

Aorry, but I don't like it at all. Very plain and boring.

Hedwig3 · 25/05/2010 12:24

P.S. MUCH MUCH MUCH prefer Hugo to Edward, especially if you don't want a name that is too common.

Hedwig3 · 25/05/2010 12:22

LOVE it, much prefer it to the rest of the list, possibly with the exception of Rose.

ShrimpOnTheBarbie · 25/05/2010 11:34

I like it. Also like Elizabeth (used it for DD2's second name), Juliet (wanted it for DD2 but DH wasn't so keen) and Josephine (Little Women ...).

evamummy · 25/05/2010 11:29

Yes, that makes sense . In German the emphasis is on the first syllable: EER-iss.

frakkit · 25/05/2010 11:26

I pronounced ee, the r is the strong French Rr and emphasis on the second syllable. I only know one and she's 40ish(? I think)

Eer-Reess is the best approximation!

evamummy · 25/05/2010 11:09

How is it pronounced in French?

frakkit · 25/05/2010 11:04

I would. It's become massively more popular in France over the last 20 years (but we're talking 46 registered to 276 so not everyone is called Iris!).

evamummy · 25/05/2010 10:34

Iris is pronounced Eer-is in German speaking countries. Not that this may matter to you .

MunchkinsMumof2 · 25/05/2010 10:14

love it

halfawake · 25/05/2010 00:31

Go for it, v lovely name I like all the names on your list though tbh

jkklpu · 24/05/2010 21:55

I like it and Violet

tummytickler · 24/05/2010 21:53

My 9 year old is Iris and she is not old and smelly!
I love it, strong, powerful, feminine and elegant!

don't like Isabelle.
Elizabeth, Juliet and Josephine are lovely though.

suspiria · 24/05/2010 18:33

Iris is such a lovely name.It makes a refreshing change to other terribly overused flower names

LetThereBeRock · 24/05/2010 18:17

No. I think your other names are much nicer.

Iris just makes me think of an eye.

sapell3 · 24/05/2010 18:08

Much prefer your original list. Don't like Iris at all.

Original poster
emmyloo2 · 24/05/2010 17:32

Thanks guys and thanks autodidact with that advice.

I agree - I need to focus on the names we love (I guess I should let my husband have a say as well ) rather than worrying about whether they are too popular at the moment. My name was popular when I was born (Emma) but I have always liked it.

I still love Iris so it will go onto the list. I think then I will sit on the list for a while and wait until close to the time to decide!

OP posts:
piratecat · 24/05/2010 17:23

love.it, go for it. it's really lovely.

Original poster
emmyloo2 · 24/05/2010 17:21

Mylittlebubble - I think it is being more popular but I don't think it is as popular as Rose, Eve and Lily for example.

God this name thing is too hard. I keep changing my name!!

Boys I have decided on Edward (although my husband is still keen on Hugo) but girls I keep going back and forth....

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 24/05/2010 17:21

Love it.