So I took MN advice and tried out the name...

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(am regular with a different name for this)

I went to the park with dd and pretended she was called the name we were thinking of for this baby if it is also a dd.

Clemency, come here, I said.

Clemency put the dog shit down, I shouted.

We're going home now Clemency, I mumbled because I started getting odd looks.

And I felt like an utter twat. I love this name though - does it mean it's doomed?? Perhaps we should go for our play it safe second choice (Anna).

Why on earth would you feel like an utter twat for calling 'Clemency' . It is a lovely, classic name imo.

Oh, I soooooooo love Clemency! All my time on mumsnet I've been wanting someone to use it. Please don't be put off- make my dreams come true!

Clemancy is a lovely name.

There is a move away from OLC and towards the simple classics like Anna, which is beautiful. But Clemency is a pretty name. Am no help!

I think it's a lovely name!

FWIW, I love both names.

Don't you think you'd use Clemmie as the nn though?

It is a beautiful name... did people look at you strangely because DD did not react when you called her? ( clearly because its a name she doesn't recognize!)

Maybe you felt a bit silly since it's not your DD's name

I like Clemency btw

Clemency is beautiful. If people look at you oddly then it seems to be their problem imo. But I agree, they probably wondered why your dd didn't react !

It's a pretty name but if it doesn't feel right, then it's probably not the right one, for whatever reason. You don't have to even know why it doesn't feel right, or justify this to anyone else.

Anna is a lovely classic name - have you done the same thing of "trying it out"?

Going against the grain....I think it's awful. Anna is much nicer. Maybe try Anna tomorrow and let us know how you get on?

Hmmm, not that keen to be honest. I'd go with Anna

It's not really my thing but I wouldn't give you a funny look in the park for it! I do prefer Anna though have to say.

What about Annabel or something similar, so slightly different, but can still shorten to a 'traditional' name.

Of course you felt silly because it's not your dd's name! I agree with the others, surely you would shout Clem or Clemmie?

I like both but really like Clemency.

Clemency is lovely.

I don't get the MN fuss about Clemency. Anna is such a wonderful name.

Clemency make me think of serial killers. I think its one of those names that is nice on paper but not actually usable in RL.

I tend to agree with Ruby.

I imagine it's would grate on you after a while.

I didn't know Clemency was a name, it's just a word to me. To be honest I'm not keen but each to their own.

Clem sounds horrible. Possibly because it rhymes with phlegm.

I don't like Anna either.

How about Elizabeth (Eliza, Beth, Libby etc) or Sarah?

Anna is better.