In your opinion, can people with names like 'Posy', 'Kitty' or 'Dotty' be taken seriously?

[Stateofgrace]

...I happen to think so, but my family and a few friends disagree. Strongly.

Almost every name I have considered is of the 'cutesy' variety - as well as the above three, I also like Polly, Lola and Nelly. I seem to just like girly names. My mother is fond of telling me ''You are naming a person, not a baby'' as if I am not aware that baby will grow up.

I know that you shouldn't tell people the names before baby is born and present the name as a fait acompli, but I really don't want to pick a name which everyone else seems to hate...

Any thoughts / experiences on this? My mother this morning has just told me that ''she wouldn't trust a Doctor called something ridiculous like Posy'', which is actually one of my favourite names.

Any thoughts/experiences on this?

I agree with your mother. Sorry.

The thing is, the sort of names you are suggesting are popular at the moment so when this generation of children grow up there will be many doctors,,lawyers, professionals, who have names such as these.

I think your mum is wrong.

Although personally i do like the ability to have a more sort of finished name I suppose. So in your example, I love Kitty but would have it short of Katherine.

Well my personal opinion is that I agree with your Mother. I don't like over girly name such as Poppy, Posy etc. I think they give off the impression of being a bit ditsy.

But I seem to be in a minority because those names are all really popular! I think you should just name your baby what you like and stop asking your Mum because you obviously don't have the same taste in names!

Of course you can.

It just becomes their name and you associate that with their personality.

Your mother is stating her view as if it were fact or gospel, she just doesn't like your names.

I tend to like less cutesy names for girls myself, but that's just my opinion. If my doctor was called posy, I'd think nothing of it.

(BTW the name Posy got a right old bashing on here a few weeks ago, it was suggested it was abusive. Just warning you)

My grandmother was called Kitty - short for Kathleen.

It depends...

If I met a photographer or a florist called Posy, no problem.

If I met a social worker or lawyer called Posy, I might think "aren't you a bit old for a name like that?". Subconsciously at least it seems a bit unprofessional.

Posy Smith, Cupcake Baker
vs.
Josephine Smith, Oncologist

I agree with your mother. I dislike cutesy names too, but what you call your DD is up to you, not MN or your mum!!!

The most professional and respected woman I know is a Kitty. It hasn't once occurred to me that her name is any way not suited to her status. She is more than just a name. It's just the noise I make to get her attention.

Our local high court judge has a ridiculously twee, hippy name too.

I think children very quickly transcend their name tbh.

I have no problem with these names as nicknames, but I don't like them as actual given names, simply because they leave the person with no real choice on preference.

If you were named Katherine for example, you could be Kat, Kit, Kate, Katie, Kitty, Kath, Kathie, Thrin... or any variety thereof. If you were named Kitty, you can be Kit or Kitty.

I know of an Alfie, Billy, Bobby, Jamie, Posy AND Kitty.

I loath any name that ends in ie or y I just think they are so silly, lovely and cute on a baby but not for an adult. Its like I imagine a big stapping bloke called Freddie or Jamie come on! I know I'm on my own in this opinion but ugh.

I agree with your Mum.

Children may well transcend their name to a certain degree but as adults we have to do things like apply for jobs, attend conferences and meet new people all the time who have not had the benefit of getting to know us first. It doesn't mean someone will definitely not succeed in a serious field but it's hardly going to be an advantage is it? Why limit a person from the outset.

I agree with your mother. Josephine, Catherine and Dorothy on the birth certificate, Posy, Kitty and Dotty for everyday use. That way they have the choice as to what they use as they grow up. They may choose to use the shortened version but it's their decision.

I agree with your mum, sorry.
Though I'm not sure if that's because I dislike cutesy names like posy and poppy.
Having said that, my dd2 is Kitty, though it's short for Catherine.

sonlypuppyfat your social circle must be seriously small if you don't know any men with names which end on 'y' or 'ie'

bowler there's only men round here

Most of the women used as examples will have chosen to go by a shortened version of their given name.

Bobby, Jackie, Harry, Monty, Sandy.... all established men's names ending in y/ie. Nothing unmanly about any of them.

I agree with your mum. Far too twee. Give her a proper name so she had a choice.

My gut feeling is to go with your mom; but realistically, there are so many Kitty's & Poppy's around nowadays, that we will get used to it & soon think they're no flimsier names than Rose or Fleur, I reckon.

Personally I don't like twee, girlie names or overly cutsesy boys names.

But as someone has already said these names are so ubiquitous that it's inevitable that 30 years from now there will be lawyers called Posy, social workers called Lola, politicians called Kitty, vets called Alfie and teachers called Freddie. And that's before we even begin to consider surveyors called Ace and driving instructors called Spike! They will be totally unremarkable names.

I would seriously worry for the intelligence of someone who mistrusted a doctor called Posy. Truly. They didn't choose their own names you silly people, their parents did.

A name does not impact on one's intelligence.

I'm another one who agrees with your mum.

Bobby for a man!

...Andy, Toby, Tony, Anthony, Jeremy, Jeffrey, Gary, Barry, Johnnie, Rory, Danny, Robbie.....

I think you'll find that names ending in 'y' is not a new phenomenon sonlypuppyfat I am amazed you don't know any.

I think your mum's wrong. If those names were really unusual you might do a double-take, but with lots about it's fine. As for not trusting a doctor called Posy...

Your mother is wrong. And being silly imo. Judging people by their name? Stupidity much?

Put it this way, if you started a new thread in AIBU with "AIBU to disregard my doctor/solicitor/judges advice because she is called Lola" I can bet you would be flamed :D