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.

Given some of the frankly batshit names people give their kids these days, Dolly seems pretty run of the mill to me.

My grandmother's name. It's fine

but not so cutesie that you would feel awkward being introduced in a meeting as a corporate lawyer, finance director, barrister or MP.

What sort of like Tulip you mean? or

Rosie, Flick, Layla, Ellie which are all the names of various MPs.

Not quite Dolly but only time will tell. There's no reason women with those sort of names should 'feel awkward'. Or not be destined to do certain jobs.

@SisterAgatha you're not one of the above professions are you? 😁

Imagine a 40 year old barrister being introduced as Dolly xyz. There goes her credibility.

The credibility comes from being introduced as a 'barrister'.

Are you KH by any chance @ImJustMadAboutSaffron 🤣

My grandma used to be called Dol/Doll by my grandad and other close family members of her own generation, I think it was a nickname from childhood based on her first name which was Doris. It's another one of the current fashionable names which are cute on a baby or young child but maybe don't age so well for an adult

Dolley Madison, who was First Lady of the USA, was actually called Dolley; it wasn't a short form or nickname. She was born in 1768.

I don't personally like it, but it's no worse than say Kitty or Teddy.

My MIL was a Doris, but called Doll.

Not a name I considered for children 30 years ago, but love it now.

Also adore Norah and Nancy.

So cute 🥰

Brilliant response!

I like it! Wouldn’t use it though personally but it’s nice enough

I personally would always officially name the child the 'full" name so in this case Dorothy or Delores, just gives them the options as they get older. For example I love the nickname Libby, but Elizabeth would be the name on the birth certificate

Yanbu, it’s pretty awful. It makes me think of the cloned sheep!

Imagine a 40 year old barrister being introduced as Dolly xyz. There goes her credibility.

The credibility comes from being introduced as a 'barrister'.

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

yes👌

If I meet a barrister named Dolly I would think she had to work harder than the others, because her parents were probably silly.

Dolly is not a good name for a human adult.

(Dolly Parton is a good example. Much more talented and clever than most people, wouldn't be hindered by a silly name).

Dolly Parton is a good example. Much more talented and clever than most people, wouldn't be hindered by a silly name).

Hmm, don't think Ms Parton has been hindered by any name.

Friends daughter is called Dolly. I did gf ask if it was short for Dolores and it isn't. Huge fan of Ms Parton. It's just her name. No weirder than the other kids in her class

That's exactly what I said. She is amazing, she would be a star even if she was called Chardonnay Bananaface. Which doesn't make the name any less silly.

Is it short for Delores or a nickname?

It was short for Dorothy, so very common when Dorothy was a common name. That’s why it’s associated with old people. Still many old people’s names have made a come back, some of which are really surprising.

The issue isn't with the parent or their child, it's with the person who thinks Dolly has no credabikity despite her mass of qualifications because of her name.

Of all the old lady names (most of which I bloody hate), this one I like.

So YABU (IMO).

I know a kid named Dolly. Not keen on it but each to their own.

I love it. Reminds me of Dolly Parton & she's a legend.

I love it. Much better than a lot of the other names I see on here.

I know someone who did this, but as my Nan was called Doll (as she looked like a dolly when born), it doesn't really seem an issue.

People think they'll have a permanent pet baby. God, imagine having one of those awful nicknames as an adult. Ditsy Boo. Poopsie Popsicle. Dolly Dim. It's sad.

But you know. Just silently judge.

It's sad, though, as people do judge, and her first impression will always be one of not particularly bright parents. Smart parents don't call kids Tillie Boppy Wodgkins.