Tell me what's wrong and right with these names

[hairgell]

I've phrased the question that way as I've read some threads where some of the names I like are not liked by quite a few people. The names are
-Molly
-Erin
-Millie (is this very popular? Some threads say it is but I've looked at the stats and it's doesn't seem to be in the same popularity league as Emily or Olivia for example)
-Cassie (can this be a nn for Catherine?)

I know some of them are short versions of longer names and some people don't like that, but can you tell me what else is wrong with them - and also what's right with them!

Which is your favourite and what middle name would you choose to go with it?

I'm not sure it's so much what I think is wrong/right about the names, as that, I just happen to have different taste...my thoughts though...

• Millie and Molly are quite cutesy to my ear, and I don't think they translate that well into serious, adult names.

• With MIllie, I would certainly be opting for an Amelia or similar name on BC, as I personally consider it a nickname, and would prefer the option of something more formal in the future. On a popularity scale, there are a good number in my area...but this is obviously variable.

• Erin...just not my cup of tea. Always sounds a little 'hard' to me.

• Cassie. This is my pick of your bunch, and I like the sound and look of the name. :-) I would probably opt for a longer version on BC though. Not sure if it could be a shortening for Catherine...I guess so if you wanted it to be, though Cassandra is the obvious.

Hello, I'll respond accordigly to your question shortly, but firstly, name your child a name that you love! It doesn't really matter how Mumsnetters judge a name. You won't find a name to please everyone. So, please yourself/yourselves (within reason) wen choosing a name.

Molly - wrong = it's popular and a bit bland. Right = it's sweet yet has an edge; it's popular, and it won't embarrass your daughter (I know I've put popular in both 'wrong' and 'right' but that depends upon your perception of popular).
Erin - wrong = it's really, really popular. A Gaellic name that is everywhere. Right = it's pretty, and great if you have Irish connections.
Millie - wrong = it's very, very popular ... Think of the Millennium 12 years ago and I can name you about 7 little girls of that age who I know with that name. Maybe using a long-form name, such as Millicent or Mildred might give it it's edge back? Right = it's cute, popular and trendy.
Cassie - could be a NN for Catherine. Wrong = doesn't sound like a whole name. Right = it's cosy, soft and pretty.

Erin is nice (dd2's middle name) and I don't think it's overly popular - certainly I don't know any.
Millie, on the other hand, is very popular - not a problem if you like it but there may well be others in her class. I really like Millicent though.
Molly - I only know one and she is lovely so I am biased, but IMHO it's quite a "baby" name. I was going to say I couldn't imagine a high court judge called Molly but actually if there was one you wouldn't think anything of it. Eg Molly Sugden - old lady, not baby!
Cassie - quite sweet, but yes very nick-namey. Not sure it would be a shortening of Catherine. But there again, that's up to you!

Molly and Millie and very, very popular here.

Erin sounds very harsh to me.

Cassie - no opinion. Prefer Catherine

Sorry hairgell In my opinion they all sound a bit 'wrong', like cutesy versions of a more formal name or what a little girl would call her dolly. In particular
'Cassie'.
The names Margaret, Millicent or Cassandra on the other hand are lovely, formal historical names.
But I think the nicest one of the lot is Catherine.

I'm sooo bored of Molly and Millie (short for Amelia)

Erin - Agree with Flirty Thirty, just not to my taste.

I really like Cassie, short for Cassandra.

Millie, Molly, Cassie - they all sound like nicknames, and not very serious. Work really well for a little girl, but a name has to also work for a woman of 35. that's why most people would go for the formal name officially so it gives them the choice when an adult to use the full name or the cutesy one.

A lot of people dislike 'cutesy' names for girls because it's basically like their parents can't see them doing anything other than being a little girl - it seems like naming a dolly or a girl they don't expect to achieve anything with their lives.

It's very very hard for woman to be taken seriously in many business settings, I've seen it. I don't think giving a name that creates the image of a little girl helps.

However, Erin I love - it's not hard, it's strong - very different.

I know someone with a very very high up job called Daisy Boo btw. So I wouldn't worry about that!

Erin is my favourite, it suits all ages, personally I find Milly, Molly & Cassie are cute baby or pets names.

Like an earlier poster said though you should choose a name you love and feel happy with and are sure your child will be happy and confident with throughout their lives.

When I think of a name I imagine how I'll feel when I'm out and someone peers into the pram and asks their name, will I feel confident and not think twice or will I be scanning their face for a reaction?

Isn't Daisy Boo one of Jamie Oliver's daughter's? Is she already in a very very high up job? Good grief, they start early these days, she can't be more than about 8.

Erin is my favourite, I'd go for Erin Clare. I know an Erin and the only downside is some people say Air-in and some say Errin and some say Aaron.

I like Millie as a nick name for Amelia or Camilla, alone it makes me think of Milly-Molly-Mandy (not necessarily a bad thing). I'm another who prefers the long name on the birth certificate so it's hard to see past that and give a view on Cassie and Millie.

There are many names on MN that are liked and disliked. But I am not sure I have ever known any particularly to stand out other than things like made up names.

My DD is called Mollie and tbh I have never had anyone say anything negative at all. Some have said it is popular - may be in places, we don't know really know of others though. Others have asked about the ie spelling - own choice, proper spelling, older people we knew of with name were also ie. And others say it is a nn - well, it has been a name in its own right, appearing on official records since the 1800s at least so not really just a nn for me.

Definitely not know the others to stand out as particularly disliked either.

-Molly - I went to school with a girl called Molly and she was just awful so I have negative associations with this name.
-Erin - Quite like this. Not enough to use it myself, but I know a little Erin and she's lovely.
-Millie - Agree with others that this is a nickname to me, kinda reminds me of Milly Molly Mandy (although that's not a bad thing). Amelie or Amelia nn. Millie is nice.
-Cassie - think of this as a dog's name, but it's actually quite nice the more I look at it and say it out loud.

I would probably choose Amelie with Millie as a nickname, no ideas on a middle name sorry - we are struggling to come up with any middle name ideas too! DD's middle name is also my mum and MIL's middle name, so a sort of 'meaning' to it, and there's no other 'meaningful' names in the family. Grrr! Names are so so so so hard.

I have a Millie who is 20. She was going to be lily but near the time she was due there seemed to be Lily's popping up everywhere. Hence Millie.

I have a Mollie, named after DH's beloved grandmother. Never really thought of it as cutesy, we just wanted something meaningful that people wernt going to mishear, pronounce wrong etc and nothing too popular. I dont personally know any Molly/ies but there are people in the media of all ages with it so I cant say I consider it babyish. If I call it out in puplic I always hear "oh, what a lovely name!" from passers by! Downside- people think its a dogs name. A dog is called Fido in my opinion, and dont know why people use human names for pets. Except my Mum whos cat is called Dave and thats just awesome.

Millie is very pretty. It does appear very popular, although I havent met any yet I do hear it called out in playgrounds or on CBeebies birthday time :)

Cassie is lovely, its unlikely she'll have another in the same class but is a nn for Cassandra which can be a tad cant think of the right word uppity?

Erin seems harsh sounding. Probably because I have trouble saying it, which is awkward because Mollies friend is Erin. Upside of it is that, again, there wont be many and its not going to be missheard or misspelled.

Love Cassie (maybe as nn for Cassandra) but the others I can take or leave.