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Baby names

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

Is Pollyanna a silly name?

36 replies

PuffyPigeon · 30/03/2014 22:25

I like Polly and Anna as names in their own right but I do prefer a longer name with a shortening which isn't really possible if either is used individually. Is Pollyanna silly though?

OP posts:
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PicardyThird · 30/03/2014 22:27

Yes.

Sorry, you can't do that.

Not so much the name itself as its associations.

HarrietSchulenberg · 30/03/2014 22:28

Sorry but yes. But Polly and Anna are lovely on their own.

Minorchristmascrisis · 30/03/2014 22:29

I don't normally like names like this but actually, I think it's lovely and can always be shortened to either name when she's older if you like.

Mrswellyboot · 30/03/2014 22:30

Twee

RayPurchase · 30/03/2014 22:30

Yes, its a silly name.

GoodEggy · 30/03/2014 22:31

Yes. It's very silly.

Georgina1975 · 30/03/2014 22:31

Do not like at all...the name or associations.

Vatta · 30/03/2014 22:33

Sorry but yes it's silly. If you call somebody a Pollyanna it's actually an insult - it means they're naively cheerful/seeing everything through rose tinted glasses, it's quite disparaging.

JabberJabberJay · 30/03/2014 22:33

Yes Pollyanna is ridiculous.

Cutesy for a baby maybe but how will she feel at 15? At 40?

Reconsider. Seriously.

PuffyPigeon · 30/03/2014 22:36

Ok fairly unanimous! Besides Annabel, what else could be shortened to Anna?

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Sharaluck · 30/03/2014 22:36

Yes, sorry.

Polly is ok

AlarmOnSnooze · 30/03/2014 22:36

I know one and it does make me Hmm every so often. she goes by a shortening usually, and it did take me by surprise when I realised her full name.

I wouldn't use it, just not a name worth considering, imo.

Sharaluck · 30/03/2014 22:38

Annaleise (not sure of the spelling)
Anastasia

PuffyPigeon · 30/03/2014 22:40

Anastasia makes me think ugly sister. Annaleise might get shortened to Lisa which I don't like

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Wenchelda · 30/03/2014 22:40

Anna-Maria / Anna-Marie could be shortened to Anna.

Wenchelda · 30/03/2014 22:43

Thought of some more -

Arianna. Rosanna. Rihanna. Lilliana. Brianna. Marianna. Julianna.

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 30/03/2014 22:45

I know a Lilyella. Polyanna is better, marginally.

PuffyPigeon · 30/03/2014 22:49

Quite like Marianna

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chickydoo · 30/03/2014 22:50

I have a good friend called Pollyanna. Never shortened, just Pollyanna. She is fabulous & suits her name. She is over 40.
An amazing lady, a fantastic name!

milkysmum · 30/03/2014 22:55

yep it is!

rockybalboa · 30/03/2014 22:57

Yes. Very. Love each name separately though esp Polly.

MrsRuffdiamond · 30/03/2014 23:04

I don't think 'Pollyanna' is an insult or silly. I always thought it just denoted someone with an optimistic outlook? The more I think about the name, the more I like the sound of it!

(Would probably work best with a short surname).

ImperialBlether · 30/03/2014 23:04

Roseanne?
Rosanna?

Descalzada · 30/03/2014 23:05

well, it's better than Cassandra imo which is used more often I'd say. I'd rather be a pollyanna than a Cassandra but ........... no, i'd never give either as a name.

Anjou · 30/03/2014 23:37

Anika could be shortened to Anna. How about Anya rather than Anna? Or Anais.