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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bernadette

63 replies

barbalala · 27/11/2011 14:18

DP put this name forward for our next DD. He's foreign (non-English speaking country) and had a close family member with this name. Not sure how to react to his name choice Hmm.
I personally don't think we would do the LO a favour if we named her Bernadette...
Also, can't think of suitable nicknames other than Bernie, which I don't find particularly cute.
Please help, (how) should I persuade DH to drop it?

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CEDR · 27/11/2011 15:03

I think Bernie is cute.... but Bernadette is a bit complicated, plus it will always be spelt wrong- Bernadet, Bernadett, Bernadette, Bernadete.... etc etc!

I think you need to be honest and say you're REALLY not sure about it, and jut suggest other things you like! Not much more than that you can do!

scaevola · 27/11/2011 15:10

You want to be put off:

a) It's a very Catholic name - does that match you religion and denomination.
b) Although not quite the same name (as she was just Bernard) it does make me think of Nursie in Blackadder, the insane old woman with an udder fixation.

Marinn · 27/11/2011 15:13

I can't say I like it, Bernie isn't a nice nickname and as scaevola says it is very Catholic and possible a strange choice if you're not.

Berenice a like though, I think a nicer alternative.

Lonnie · 27/11/2011 15:22

I like it

Ettie or Dettie Ive heard as nns for Bernadette

Scorps · 27/11/2011 15:23

We call my friend Bernadette 'Bee'.

LoopyLoopsRootyFroots · 27/11/2011 15:24

I like it.

Original poster
barbalala · 27/11/2011 15:37

Not sure if I can play the religion card as although we're not overly religious but DH and both our DC are catholic, so the name would fit.

He has come up with nns used in his country for Bernadette, none of which (I like or) would be easily acceptable here:
Betty, Detty, Nadi, etc...

He is really keen on it Sad, it's widely used in his country and not labelled old fashioned at all. Anyway, he says old names are making a comeback anyway....hmm, yes, but not this one!

OP posts:
Original poster
barbalala · 27/11/2011 15:41

Hm, Bee ... I like

Do you also write it Bee or just 'B'?

OP posts:
NewsClippings · 27/11/2011 15:51

I don't like it, sorry. It's so similar to the man's name Bernard.

How about Beatrice (Bea for short) or Isabella (Bella for short) or Bethany?

Original poster
barbalala · 27/11/2011 16:04

sorry, no alternatives will do because of the family link.

i can't say it reminds me of Bernard, but i've never met a Baby Bernadette, plus it's soo pretentious don't you think?

OP posts:
Scorps · 27/11/2011 16:04

We write it as 'Bee' too.

NewsClippings · 27/11/2011 16:50

What about Lourdes (she became St Bernadette later)?

Bernita, Bernessa, Birdena, Bera are variants of Bernadette - any good?

NewsClippings · 27/11/2011 16:51

Did this close family member have a middle name?

CupOfGoodCheer · 27/11/2011 16:57

"What about Lourdes (she became St Bernadette later)?"

No "she" didn't!! St. Bernadette was FROM Lourdes!!

PercyFilth · 27/11/2011 17:00

What about Lourdes (she became St Bernadette later)

She was known as Bernadette Soubirous, but I think her given name was Marie-Bernarde and Bernadette was a pet name.

Don't suppose your husband's French, is he?

Original poster
barbalala · 27/11/2011 17:02

Good tips NewsC - unfortunately, Lourdes would never work in his native language Sad

With re to middle name yes Klara, but that's his mother's name too, wouldn't like to name my DC after MIL.

OP posts:
MitziKinsky · 27/11/2011 17:04

What do you call a woman who throws all her bills on the fire?

Bernadette.

Boom boom.

NewsClippings, what are you on about? Grin

Bernadette is very Irish Catholic, and is likely to be shortened to Berni or Detti.

Original poster
barbalala · 27/11/2011 17:06

Percy - he is Hungarian.

I think I'll just have to say it doesn't go with other DC' names, surely that must count.

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PercyFilth · 27/11/2011 17:07

Klara, eh? How about Claire or Clarissa?

NewsClippings · 27/11/2011 17:10

Blush Oops, sorry all - I was reading the baby names site too fast! However Lourdes is still a name connected to Bernadette, which was what I was aiming to find

HerdOfTinyElephants · 27/11/2011 17:10

It's very VERY Catholic. Probably about the only name I can think of offhand where I would completely assume that the bearer came from a very actively Catholic family and would be astonished to discover that she didn't. I've known some lovely Bernadettes, so I have good associations with the name, but it's an unusual choice for a baby these days.

Just tell him that, sorry, with the greatest respect to his family member you really don't like it so it is not going to be your baby's first name. Would you compromise on having it in a middle name slot?

Original poster
barbalala · 27/11/2011 17:10

Mitzi - LOL

the said truth is i have seen it mispelled as Burnadette before Shock

OP posts:
CupOfGoodCheer · 27/11/2011 17:11

Has anyone suggested Bernice?

Original poster
barbalala · 27/11/2011 17:12

sad

OP posts:
MitziKinsky · 27/11/2011 17:12

barbalala, Bernadette sooo doesn't go with your other DCs names (what ever they are!)