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?

[WeAll]

I like Posy but I would put Josephine on the birth certificate. It gives more options to your DD.

[soundedbetterinmyhead]

FWIW I'm with your mum too. Nothing wrong with cutsey nicknames that your DC might choose to keep on through adulthood, but give them the choice, I reckon. Or, if you really love Posy or whatever, give a solid second name so that the choice is still there and they can just drop it at will if they hate it.

However, name your children whatever you like - it's your call.

[sonlypuppyfat]

I wasn't asked if I knew any I was asked if I liked the names! Do people not read the full message?

[BeattieBow]

these are the names of my dds friends - Lily, Edie, Mimi, Jessie, Kitty, Polly, Daisy, Ellie, Dolly, Maisie, etc (you get the idea). There aren't any Kates, Sarahs, Alisons .

They're all teenagers. In 15 years time when they're 30 and lawyers, doctors, accountants, journalists, I really think that they will be the norm, and everyone will be fine seeing a doctor called Posy. Names like Sarah and Jo will be grannyish names then.

[StuckOnARollercoaster]

When I was pg and reading the name threads regularly I often saw the same opinion as your mum, and it really made me doubt my favourite name for a girl.
But when she was born I couldn't bring myself to call her Beth/Elizabeth or Jenny/Jennifer and went with my true favourite of Daisy even though it is 'cute'.
I figure that she will grow with the name and it suits her. Even though I thought it couldn't be shortened she is already naturally finding nicknames -daisydoo, doodoo at 6 week's!

[Bowlersarm]

that's exactly what you were saying sonlypuppyfat. You couldn't imagine a man with a name ending in 'ie' or 'y' I think you were quoting Jamie and Freddie in particular.

[AbsRugg]

It's your baby, no one else's - you call it what you want! Generally people are quick to tell you they dislike a name before the baby's born - once you've had the baby people always say its a lovely name! I had a little girl 9 weeks ago, I loved the name Belle and so many people said they didn't like it. I did call her Belle and not one person has said they dislike it now!

[Stateofgrace]

Thanks for all the opinions, guys. I suppose ultimately it is up to us what we name our girl, however I just would hate to think I had disadvantaged her from the outset with a name which would never be taken seriously :)

I agree, my mother can be quite silly at times :)

[Stateofgrace]

*not guys, girls lol

[squoosh]

StuckOnARollerCoaster My friend was really wobbling about calling her baby Daisy as some people told her it was a bit too girlie. I told her that Daisy McAndrew the former ITN economics editor seemed to manage just fine.

[sonlypuppyfat]

I can't imagine a man with those names it doesn't mean I don't know of them I just think they are toddlers names, and seem silly on a grown man which I thought was the point of this thread.

[Ponyboycurtis]

Couldnt have put it better myself Beattiebow, its the person that defines a name not the other way round IME.

[EuphemiaLennox]

You can't imagine a grown man called Jamie??

What a very limited imagination you have.

A know several. I wish I could introduce you it would blow your mind.

[sonlypuppyfat]

Its James

[squoosh]

You just sound childish now.

I admit that I prefer James to Jamie but come to Scotland and you'll meet lots of strapping Jamies. They abound.

[Bowlersarm]

I believe Jamie Oliver isn't James. He's fairly strapping.

[lifesgreatquestions]

In theory I agree with your mother but in practice I don't think it matters. I might smirk at meeting a Dotty or a Posy if they were a lawyer, police officer, etc., but that would quickly pass once the authority that comes with those position was embodied by Posy or whoever. And you are naming your child, not her.

[notso]

I don't understand the need for choices. I don't know very many people in RL who choose a different name for themselves, some have a nickname but it is usually one given by parents of friends. The ones I know who have have chosen a new name picked a completely different one.

Lot's of people seem to forget than names like Alfie, Bobby,Polly, Dotty, Daisy etc were really popular a long time ago.
If you go to a nursing home or a graveyard there are lots of them. Diminutive names are not a new thing at all. I think part of the revival of these kind of names is that DC started being named after Grandparents and Great-Grandparents.

When I was at school Katie and Kate were really popular names and I know they have managed to become doctors, lawyers, consultants etc without having to lie and say it's short for Catherine at every job interview.

[kerala]

Totally agree with your mother sorry. There is a news reporter called Daisy something - really professional and up together but I cringe when I hear her name she is so not a Daisy who to me is a curly haired toddler.

[FairyThunderthighs]

This will blow your mind, I know a 6ft2, built like a brick shithouse, tattooed and pierced man called Kerry. Shocking!

[MrsBungle]

I agree, somewhat, with your mother. I think names like posy and kitty just sound incredibly baby-ish. I just don't see them as 'substantial'. That's just my opinion on the actual name. I wouldn't judge the person.

[squoosh]

That's the Daisy I was referring to kerala, Daisy McAndrew. And even if you cringe she's so far managed pretty well in her career even with such an affliction!

[Tumford]

Sorry OP but the names you mention do make me cringe when I think of them belonging to an adult.

[lljkk]

Imagine you've just been burgled and are feeling very violated. Which police officers would you rather came to investigate the crime:

Posy & Kitty

or

Catherine & Elizabeth

Even better, imagine you're the lowlife who burgles homes. Which pair do you take more seriously when they try to take you in for questioning?

[Bowlersarm]

kerala I'm pretty sure she doesn't need you to cringe on her behalf. She seems very poised and confident to me.