Pollyanna or Polly middle name Anna?

[Poycastle]

I LOVE this name for my daughter (am 27 weeks pregnant). I loved the book as a child, it still means a lot to me and I think it sounds feminine and pretty.

However, I'm a bit worried about some negative comments I've had about it sounding "prissy".

So I was considering giving her the Anna part as a middle name as well as the other middle name I have chosen for her (Maria - this is a definite).

Or does breaking it in two sound silly?

She is a much wanted baby so I want to get it completely right.

I've never heard anyone called "Pollyanna-ish" in real life. But I guess it depends on one's perception of the book.

I guess with all names they don't always fit the personality (mine included) - but how can you tell in advance :)

True. I suppose it is a bit like naming someone 'Sunny' or Joy.

I suspect there are more book haters than lovers - I have heard Pollyanna-ish as an insult in real life and possibly used it myself

Polly Maria however is lovely.

What about Polly Ana-maria

If you have to use this name I would make Anna a middle name. Pollyanna just looks a bit twee.

I thought about Anna-Maria as well. Does this sound OK to other posters?

If you are naming her after the literary character, then you need to spell it the same, otherwise it's not the same name.

Having said that, I prefer Polly Anna.

Anna Maria is nice

Polly = Mary
Maria = Mary

Both names mean the same. I wouldn't if I were you.
But then I wouldn't go with Pollyanna either.

Anna-Maria or Anne-Marie both nice.

Sorry not to be more helpful.

NB- we have a Polly in the family and we don't see eye to eye which probably colours my thinking a little.

Polly Maria Anne

Calling someone "a Pollyanna" is negative - means they are blindly optimistic to the point of foolishness.

So for that reasons, I wouldn't personally use it!

*those rather than that, sorry!

Christ on a bike.... neither, none. Don't do it.

Agree that 'pollyanna' tends to be used in a negative way. Pollyanna is the same to optimism as Elsie Dinsmore (remember those books? slightly earlier period) was to obedience.

Use it in its entirety, but as a middle, or second middle, name, as a nod to the book.

I like Anna Maria. But without the hyphen.

I think Polly is really nice on its own.
I don't really like it with Anna or Maria. Sorry!

Does Anna-Maria sounds like a boat name to me? Am I losing it?

Imagine an adult woman with the name.
Nooooooooooooooooo.

It's dire, absolutely no no no.......it's a doll's name!

I worked with a woman first who called every woman she met Pollyanna because she couldn't be bothered remembering their actual name. People didn't know which was worse!

Anna Maria is lovely.

I can't like Polly in any guise. Sorry, but I do find it prissy.