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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ok narrowing it down - Rose or Elizabeth or Margaret

30 replies

emmyloo2 · 31/01/2013 07:38

DD due in May so still have some time to decide, but choosing names is fun, so might as well waste some time thinking about it.

DH is leaning towards Rose, me towards Elizabeth. I also like Margaret (Meg) although he is less keen on that.

My concern with Elizabeth is it is quite popular (in top 50) where we are. Rose or Margaret don't feature in top 50. My concern with Rose is that while it is not popular as a first name, it is done to death as a middle name and therefore by default, is it a bit "done" even for a first name? Have the flower names been overused?

I have no concerns about Margaret - I love it. DH however is not as keen so I think I would struggle to get it across the line.

Middle name will definitely be Catherine. DS is George so I want it traditional to match George.

Any other suggestions welcome!

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Allalonenow · 31/01/2013 08:00

Margaret is a lovely name, and although Rose and Elizabeth are also very pretty traditional names, as you say, both are extremely popular at the moment, so for that reason I would pick Margaret. It can be a pretty childhood name with its various diminutives, and an excellent grown up name in its full form.

orangepudding · 31/01/2013 08:03

Really don't like Margaret at all. Love the other two names.

poppy283 · 31/01/2013 08:06

Margaret is awful, sorry. What about Megan for Meg?

Rose is very popular as a first name where I live, but it's very pretty. Rosemary is more unusual and you could still use Rose as a nn.

Elizabeth is a bit grand for me, but I love Beth.

Original poster
emmyloo2 · 31/01/2013 08:09

Thanks all. Poppy283 - where are you roughly located? Is Rose popular there as a first name? I am in Australia and it's not in the top 50 (whereas Elizabeth is) but it is the default middle name, along with Grace.

I also like Beth as a nickname for Elizabeth.

OP posts:
gymboywalton · 31/01/2013 08:11

elizabeth-because it really is a lifetime name

when she is a baby she can be beth, a child lizzie, a young woman liz, for work she can be elizabeth eytc etc

it's a fab name

if you call her rose she will get called rosie-which i love

saycheeeeeese · 31/01/2013 08:14

Elizabeth definitely! I do love Rosie but not Rose for a first name, Elizabeth Rose is a nice combination!

I love all the nn's for Elizabeth, Eliza is my favourite....Eliza Rose is a beautiful name!!

saycheeeeeese · 31/01/2013 08:14

Oh I love Betty and Betsy aswell!!

Melpomene · 31/01/2013 08:16

After reading the OP I was going to say that I would avoid Margaret because of the association with Margaret Thatcher, but if you're in Australia that won't be an issue I suppose.

I prefer Elizabeth and agree with gymboywalton about it being a 'lifetime name'. I don't think it matters about being popular because there are so many different nicknames, most of which are lovely in themselves.

blaclpurse1 · 31/01/2013 08:19

Elizabeth and Rose both lovely.

NorthernLurker · 31/01/2013 08:20

I think Margaret is quite classy. Margot is another nice 'short' as well as a name on it's own.

I think I would go for Elizabeth though.

Original poster
emmyloo2 · 31/01/2013 08:21

Looks like Elizabeth might be winning.....

I think Elizabeth Catherine is lovely but Rose is so pretty.....

OP posts:
poppy283 · 31/01/2013 16:58

I'm in south east uk, I suppose Margaret isn't so bad if you don't automatically think 'Thatcher'. I just can't tell!

MrsMushroom · 31/01/2013 17:03

I have a Rose...she does get Rosie which I hate as all I can hear is Sally from Corrie Ruuuurrrrsssiiiii"

She also gets Rosalie and Rosemary Confused

CaipirinhasAllRound · 31/01/2013 17:39

Not keen on Margaret but both of our mums are Margarets, with DHs mum being called Marg. Think she'd get called Marg and Maggie by other people before Meg
I like Libby for Elizabeth but really don't like Liz. Beth is ok

mathanxiety · 31/01/2013 18:19

I really like Margaret, despite MT. I don't like Meg as a nn, but like Maggie.

I like Elizabeth too, and the NN possibilities Betsy and Lizzie especially, also Betty and Liz. I don't like Elsie or Beth, strangely.

Rose -- is a bit too old ladyish imo. Rosa otoh I like a lot.

Catherine is a lovely MN.

Geranium3 · 31/01/2013 19:32

i prefer marguerite to margaret or its other meaning = daisy
rose i prefer as a middle name
prefer betsy or beth than elizabeth
also like marigold
eleanor
catherine
helen/helena
cicely
Good luck!

KentuckyFriedChildren · 31/01/2013 19:47

Elsbeth or Greta?

mrsnec · 31/01/2013 19:54

I like all the names mentioned here! Where I live Margurite means Pearl which I also quite like. Loads of Elizabeths in my family and it's my middle name but it doesn't work with my first name. The most recent Elizabeth in our family has Charlotte as her second name which is very pretty.

mathanxiety · 31/01/2013 20:26

Ooh, Kentucky -- those are lovely names.

RobinSparkles · 31/01/2013 20:30

I love Rose and Elizabeth, not keen on Margaret at all. It reminds me of Margaret Thatcher!

WhichIsBest · 31/01/2013 20:45

I like Rose.

amazingmumof6 · 01/02/2013 12:31

how about Rosamund Cathrine? Rose,Rosa or Rosie for short?

love Elizabeth, loved it through 6 pregnancies, had 5 boys, then Elizabeth Grace!Grin

Happykitten · 01/02/2013 16:51

Amazingmsumof6 I love the name Elizabeth grace

RubyGrace17 · 01/02/2013 17:35

I like Rose a lot as a first name. Definitely my favourite of the 3.

Ruby

mummanj · 01/02/2013 20:27

I like Rose and also Elizabeth. However, I know lots of Elizabeths and they are all called Liz or Lizzie which I'm not keen on.