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Baby names

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

Original poster

We're really struggling for a girls name... any feedback on our only idea would be great!

29 replies

ddwarwick · 04/12/2011 18:56

We can't find a girl's name that we love, there are lots that are nice but none that stand out as the one we would choose. The only name that we both quite like is Harlow but have just found out that is a district in London... Is it the equivalent of naming it Hackney?? It is an old English name and also links to the actress Jean Harlow but are we limbering the poor child? What do you think?

Any other ideas for a nice sounding but strong girls name would be greatly appreciated.

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Original poster
ddwarwick · 04/12/2011 19:00

ooops *lumbering

OP posts:
ImpYCelynAndTheIvy · 04/12/2011 19:02

I don't like Harlow, sorry.

whatdoiknowanyway · 04/12/2011 19:02

I wouldn't go for Harlow. There was the famous exchange when film actress Jean Harlow asked Margot Asquith if her name was pronounced Mar-got.
MA replied words to the effect of 'no dear, the T is silent as in Harlow' (harlot).
I can see why you like it but I think you'd be setting her up for problems.

mrsharrycunningham · 04/12/2011 19:03

Not keen to be honest. Harlow is in Essex and I think any name that's also a place name might be tricky. But if you are not in the UK it might not be a problem?b I know the Beckhams were ridiculed for Harper but I think it's quite nice and similar to Harlow?

PestoFestivio · 04/12/2011 19:03

I wouldn't.

It's a not particularly nice town in Essex.

thousandDenierStocking · 04/12/2011 19:04

It's the name of Nicole Richie's daughter, right?

If you lived in or near Harlow it'd be weird, but otherwise fine. My surname is a London suburb and no one mentions that, even though I lived there in my 20's.

Pretty name.

SandStorm · 04/12/2011 19:05

I know a Harley if that's any help?

scaevola · 04/12/2011 19:07

I wouldn't choose Harlow, for the same harlot reason as the previous post.

Other strong names with nice round vowels: Margot/Margaux, Lorna, Laura, Honora, Rosamund, Constance, Augusta, Yolanda, Topaz, Sofia, Jocasta?

scaevola · 04/12/2011 19:09

SStorm: surely Harley is a boys name: if you must name a girl after a motorbike it would be Bonnie.

Original poster
ddwarwick · 04/12/2011 19:09

Thanks for the feedback... why are girls names so difficult??

OP posts:
SandStorm · 04/12/2011 19:10

The Harley I know is definitely a girl. Though she may spell it Harlie - I've never seen it written down.

Original poster
ddwarwick · 04/12/2011 19:11

Not keen on Harley sorry!

OP posts:
BadPoet · 04/12/2011 19:15

I'd think celebrity baby name rather than London suburb, not knowing much about London! I don't dislike it, quite like Harper and Harley too - although I prefer more feminine names. Btw I also know a Harley, definitely female and spelled like that.

fluffylegs · 04/12/2011 19:20

If you both like it use it. Not giving someone a name you both like because they might get ridiculed is silly. A friend recently gave her baby a bonkers sounding masculine name and we've all just accepted it and now when you say / hear the name you think of the baby.

oikopolis · 04/12/2011 19:26

Don't go for Harlow. It's a celeb baby name (Nicole Richie) and it will start to seem copycattish/faddy when your DD is older and there are squillions of Harlows around. Plus it's not very feminine IMO.

Honor is similar sounding, and beautiful.

SardineJam · 04/12/2011 19:27

Why not Hayley because I agree about Harlow being misconstrued as harlot

Original poster
ddwarwick · 04/12/2011 21:35

We didn't know that it was a celebrity name or an Essex town when we saw it in the baby name book. We were thinking about it as we sort of liked Willow but thought it was a bit too hippyish and Harlow has a similar sound but is a bit stronger. The Harlot link doesn't bother us as it isn't a word that is used much anymore, most people wouldn't associate it with that. Maybe it's a more popular name in the states than in the UK as I'd never heard it before. I also really liked the name Harper as one of my favourite books is To kill a mockingbird but now that the Beckham's have it it's not one that could be used without people thinking you have copied them. Is Nicole Ritchie that famous in the UK anymore?

OP posts:
CuppaTeaJanice · 04/12/2011 21:40

I like the name Mahala (Mu-har-ler) - it was popular at the start of the 20th century but doesn't seem to have had a comeback yet, unlike Ruby etc. Similar sound to Harlow.....

PercyFilth · 05/12/2011 00:08

Mallow is a flower, but also a place in Ireland ....

I like Mahala as well. And Mahalia, like the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Darnsarfupnorf · 05/12/2011 01:03

i like harlow :) didnt know it was a town and ive never hear of the actress or the incident whatdoiknowanyway mentioned. to be honest i think by the time your dd will be old enough to be embarassed by it the incident will be long since forgotten so wont matter.

i have an orla and liked willow but like you thought it was a bit hippy-y. i know 3 harleys, 2 boys 1 girl

glad to see a girls name thread that isnt full of 'old lady names' some of them are just cruel i think!

good luck :)

ChippingInNeedsSleep · 05/12/2011 01:21

Not keen on Harlow - sorry.

I know it's becomig quite popular, but do you like Grace?

Imogen?

PercyFilth · 05/12/2011 02:16

the incident will be long since forgotten

I'm afraid not! it took place in the 1930s, long before most if not all of us here were born. It has a guaranteed place on those lists of Best Insults and Famous Put-downs.

mumzy · 05/12/2011 23:14

Harlow is a rough area of Essex and you will be doing her no favours by calling her this name if you live in UK. Strong girls names: Hope, Antonia, Sydney

WhoIsThatMaskedWoman · 05/12/2011 23:21

I like Mahalia too.

Harlow is awful, and my first thought was also "the t is silent as in..."

AnotherMincepie · 05/12/2011 23:52

How about Harper, Marla or Hayley?