Calling a child Dolly?

[ImJustMadAboutSaffron]

Someone I know has called their new baby this and I can't stand it. Of course they're entitled to call their children what they like and it's none of my business. Just before someone tells me that.

I don't like it because it sounds babyish and not a real name. It's more like a nickname. It makes me think of an old lady or a Barbie doll, not a person.

Is it short for Delores or a nickname?

I immediately think of Nabokov's Lolita to be honest, (She was called Delores/Dolly) but that may not be the first thought to others.

People will get used to it I guess.

Of course they're entitled to call their children what they like and it's none of my business this. Stop being so judgey. It's an unusual name so I hope mum or dad are on here and know who you are so they can have nothing more to do with you.

It makes me think of an old lady or a Barbie doll, not a person. "old ladies" are people too!

It's a perfectly good name - I'd expect some sheep jokes though...

I know two - 14 and 8 so not that unusual.

The name doesn't seem to have held Ms Parton back.

I think of 'dolly the sheep' 🤣😂
Not a common name but definitely not a bonkers name.

I had an old aunt called Dol, short for Dorothy. I think it’s cute. I sometimes used to call my DD Dolly as a pet name.

I know one, but do roll my eyes at it. (The name, not the child.)

But names go in cycles and a lot of the current favourites were old people names until they got given to babies.

I know a Dorothy who is nn Dolly - she must be about 4 now. I like it but I wouldn’t put Dolly on the birth certificate, but for the same reason I wouldn’t ever use a nickname as birth certificate name.

Wouldn't choose it but not the worst name I have heard.

I think she might like it and love its distinctiveness, or she might think it's childish and hate it. If I gave a child that kind of name I would definitely be giving them a solid middle name to fall back on in case the name was a burden or they couldn't pull it off.

I remember a name post where someone wanted to call their daughter a really butch masculine name because 'it would be so cute to see a beautiful blonde daughter called X.'

And someone replied saying 'But what if they're not a conventionally beautiful sweet child - what if they struggle with fitting in or their appearance, and they've also got this name to contend with?'

I think that's really important to remember when considering a name that's difficult to pull off - your child might not have the specific appearance or attitude that goes with the name, and that could make life extremely hard for them.

Weirdly I've never thought of it as being like a doll. It's just short for Dorothy to me.

There are plenty of gallumping Graces and miserable Joys and white Ebonys. I also came across a Neil who was literally standing up the other day.

There are plenty of gallumping Graces and miserable Joys and white Ebonys. I also came across a Neil who was literally standing up the other day.

😂😂

I had an aunt Dolly. I think she was my grandad's sister. She would be 120 if she was still here. Probably means it's the right era to become a new trendy name .

Is Dolly not short for Dorothy?

It's definitely a name of some sort. And given the number of made up names and wonky spellings people come up with its not actually that bad.

I like Dolly as a name its not one that I'd pick but I don't think yuck.

I feel sorry for the baby when she grows up. It would be difficult to have any professional gravitas or be taken seriously with a name like that. A gift for misogynist men to patronise her as a “little dolly” bird.

I also came across a Neil who was literally standing up the other day. hahahaha 😆

Nabokov's Lolita was Dolores not Delores.

Dolly Parton's great

I really like Dorothy as a name but I can't stand Dolly.

"It makes me think of an old lady or a Barbie doll, not a person."

Are old ladies not people?

I know I realised what I'd written after I posted it. #airheadmoment

I really like it, it's a pretty name