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Original poster

Holly - A serious enough name?

29 replies

Hidethecrisps · 16/10/2012 00:21

My husband and I have pretty much 99 per cent decided on Holly, probably Holly Rosa Surname.

We like the name and it seems to tick all the boxes....

  • goes well with our surname
  • Goes with dd1's name Nia (IMO)
  • is the favourite of dd1 (age 3, certainly not essential, but a bonus I feel)
  • seems like a name that will 'suit' our family IYKWIM

But something is just holding me back, I'm not sure what. I just don't know if I love it? I keep searching for other names that I might prefer, haven't found any yet though. Could it be that it's not a serious enough name? or perhaps it's just a last minute wobble? (37+ weeks)

What do you think of it and could you imagine a Dr. Holly xxx etc?

Thanks in advance!

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MelodyPondering · 16/10/2012 00:27

I totally love Holly. It's the name I wish I'd used.

Devora · 16/10/2012 00:34

I don't love it, but I think it's a very pleasant name. Yes, I can imagine a Dr Holly - I know an adult Holly and she is a high achiever Smile

BlueSuedeWitchesHat · 16/10/2012 00:43

I know a Dr Holly, a paramedic Hollie and a Holly who is about a year away from being Holly QC.

None of them are remotely serious though Grin

Original poster
Hidethecrisps · 16/10/2012 09:05

Thanks ladies! I feel reassured now.

I think it's probably that after the initial excitement of choosing a name, I started to assess it for practicality etc. and this seems to have somewhat sucked the fun out of it slightly!

Plus with dd1 and dh on board I feel like I've almost lost my say in the matter, even though I'd almost certainly choose Holly anyway! Just being over sensitive, Oh don't you just love pregnancy hormones!

OP posts:
imustbepatient · 16/10/2012 10:01

I think it is lovely for a child and also suits an adult, as it falls on the right side of 'not too cutesy'. Nice choice!

BonaDea · 16/10/2012 10:04

I like it as a name. My DH loves it and it is high on his list. Don't think we'll go for it, but it is definitely an 'adult' sounding name, as well as a nice name for a little girl.

Only thing I'd say is it is a bit less unusual than your existing DD's name...

eBook · 16/10/2012 11:51

It's a lovely name :)

DebK2012 · 16/10/2012 19:43

No, I've never thought Holly as a serious name.

VolumeOfACone · 17/10/2012 12:17

I think it's lovely. Holly and Nia definitely go well together.

Gwennan · 17/10/2012 12:31

I think Holly is a serious enough name. I like it.

Beware of pairing it with another floral name (e.g. Holly Rose) as that might tip it too far towards the cutesy end of the spectrum.

greenhill · 17/10/2012 12:43

It is a lovely seasonal name. I really like Holly.

Do you think that you are unsure about it because subconsciously you associate Holly with Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, the Soham schoolgirls? Sorry to spoil it for you, if you weren't thinking of that at all, it's just that sometimes a name can have a negative association in the back of our minds and we can't think where we heard it before.

MolotovBomb · 17/10/2012 13:07

Holly is a nice name, but not the most exciting name, IMO. Not as funky as Nia. Maybe this is why you're wobbling? Holly is a perfectly respectable name; nice choice for a winter baby. If you change her name now, though, it might be difficult for your Nia to understand ... but that's not the right reason not to go with the right name!

Here are a few alternates for winter babes

nameberry.com/list/89/Winter-Baby-Names

Good luck!

Chopsypie · 17/10/2012 13:11

It makes me think of Holly Willoughby

xmasevebundle · 17/10/2012 13:22

Yes, i love holly!

Was a choice for me if i was having a girl this december!

Lovely name.

sassyandsixty · 17/10/2012 13:49

Holly is a great name but too 'planty' to be used with Rosa?

Runningblue · 17/10/2012 13:59

Hi
I think holly is a lovely name, and IMO much more suited to a child or an adult, than some popular names out there at the moment.

It would be one of my top choices if it wasn't wasn't for our tricky surname Confused

StrawberrytallCAKE · 18/10/2012 19:34

I love Holly and have a dd due in December but our last name would make her name sound like 'Hollywood' so we can't really use it Sad.

EllenParsons · 20/10/2012 00:53

I absolutely love it. Good choice and goes nicely with Nia IMO!

GravityAndGrace · 23/05/2021 04:33

Hi! I know this is years later but I was just wondering if you decided to go with the name Holly? My name is Holly and I have always loved my name. I am one of 3 girls; Heather, Holly, and Hayden... our surname is Peacock so I have been told I have a very colorful name! What name did you decide to call your little girl?

GravityAndGrace · 23/05/2021 04:34

I like that together! Holly Wood... sounds like a rock star!!

Flymetothestars · 23/05/2021 12:49

I absolutely love the name Holly
One of my favourite names and a magic combination of being familiar but very underused these days
Stick with it, it's a perfect choice

Giraffedance · 23/05/2021 13:06

Holly is a perfectly nice name, though not to my taste. I much prefer Rosa though, which I think is beautiful and classy. I also like Rose and Rosalie. You could always go with Celyn, which is Holly in Welsh, of hou wanted to keep the Welsh theme.

partyatthepalace · 23/05/2021 17:06

It’s too cutesy for me personally but it’s fine.

Rosa is nicer - and Celyn suggestion above a great one.

TatianaBis · 23/05/2021 17:09

It's serious enough, just a bit dated and meh.

Much prefer Rosa.

Gucci1961 · 23/05/2021 22:46

I know what you mean. I think Holly is fine. I like it. But Heloise with Holly for short?
Or Honor Olivia? (I know that those Hs aren't pronounced, but it still makes sense)

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