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Baby names

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

Original poster

Betty or Audrey

63 replies

mojojo29 · 17/07/2014 14:15

Hello ladies, advice please. Our surname is Grove and four year old daughter is named Penny. Both my other half and I love old retro names, something not too popular but a bit classic (think 1950's pin up/movie stars) We had Betty as our no.1 choice of a name and even been referring to baby as Betty, but now have been thinking of Audrey (mostly from watching the tv series 24) and have confused ourselves. Lol.

Just wondering which of the two you ladies like best...

Betty Marie Grove
or
Audrey Marie Grove

(its a family tradition to have Marie as a middle name!)

Many thanks!! x

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Viviennemary · 18/07/2014 11:24

I am not overkeen on either of them personally. But Audrey is by far the better choice.

Viviennemary · 18/07/2014 11:26

Didn't see your last post. You've made the right choice. Elizabeth is a great name and has lots of short forms to choose from. Even Betty!

Original poster
mojojo29 · 18/07/2014 11:35

The only problem is Viviennemary is I don't want people shortening Elizabeth to anything but Betty. It's not that I don't like the other shortened versions, their just not for me and I know of lots of Ellie's Beth's, Libby's etc. :/

OP posts:
twiglet2 · 18/07/2014 11:49

I have a friend with a little girl called Elizabeth, but they have only ever called her Beth, so everyone knows her as Beth, but she has the option of using Elizabeth when she is older.

Legionofboom · 18/07/2014 12:38

Betty is much, much nicer than Audrey (which I don't think of as sophisticated at all) and Elizabeth is a beautiful, classic name.

With regards to people using other shortened versions, if you choose a definite nn from the beginning and stick with it and I don't think it would be a problem.

Original poster
mojojo29 · 18/07/2014 13:47

Aww ladies, thank you, you've been great help. I'm thinking tell everyone her name is Betty but when we get her registered we can put down Elizabeth. By then everyone will be so used to call her Betty that they wont know any different. :D

Definitely seems 50/50 on who likes what!

OP posts:
Iownafourinchporsche · 18/07/2014 20:04

I adore Betty

fledermaus · 18/07/2014 20:15

Both my kids have shortened versions of long names, but we only use the short versions and most people probably don't even know what their full names are so no problem with people using alternative shortenings.

ColdCottage · 18/07/2014 20:23

Bea Marie Grove is really lovely and I think Bea is more of a 'proper' name than Betty, especially if you are just going to call her Bee/Bea Smile

Coral2094 · 19/07/2014 07:58

Audrey is beautiful! Goes nicely with Penny too which is also a great name.

Superrhan · 19/07/2014 09:57

Don't worry about people making their own names... I have a niece Libby short for Elizabeth, and she is absolutely Libby. I'm not even sure she knows that her name is Elizabeth yet (she's 5), she is just Libby and no one would call her anything else.

You could do the same with Betty. If she is always called Betty and introduced as Betty, nobody needs to really know she's an Elizabeth by BC.

I also knew a Bethany who went by Bet/Betsy if you are considering other Betty names!

Trickytreacle · 08/08/2014 00:07

I love Betty- although I am biased as we named our daughter Betty! You will always find people either love or hate it- stick with your gut instinct and go for it I say! We have never regretted it ( although the other half had to be heavily persuaded he loves it now too!) .

TheFillyjonk · 08/08/2014 00:10

I don't really like either, both have quite a gritty old bag feel to them for me.

How about Ava, Lana or Vivienne?

TheFillyjonk · 08/08/2014 00:10

But if I had to pick one, I'd go for Betty!

LittleErin · 13/08/2014 11:55

Betty or Betsy, short for Elizabeth. So cute!

ShovettyMcShovetty · 13/08/2014 12:01

Another vote for Audrey! V classy.

CremeEggThief · 13/08/2014 12:06

Audrey. I think it goes much better with Penny.

londonkiwi · 14/08/2014 11:33

I think Audrey sounds much better with Penny.

SoonToBeSix · 14/08/2014 11:54

Love Audrey

ButterflyOfFreedom · 14/08/2014 12:17

I prefer Betty but agree Audrey sounds better with Penny.

squoosh · 14/08/2014 12:17

I love Betty, she's sassy and smart and has great legs.

Audrey has a blue rinse perm and a penchant for M&S's finest polyester.

burgatroyd · 14/08/2014 12:25

This argument about old names... That they started off as young peoples names once don't wash.

Surely we all remembered the kid at school lumbered with a granny name?

In my school there were Agatha and Betty. Agatha got away with it. Just. Betty wasnt 'cool' and rather suited her name in a bad way.

These names WILL sound old in the playground.
OK if they are kooky.

I know a woman in her thirties called Daphne and she changed her name into something funky like Tina.

I think those with names like Milly, Tilly, get away with it./ and Elsa and Elsie as they sound cute and modern.

But Audrey and Betty...? Hmm

Its a pity as I LOVE old names. Esp Doris.

squoosh · 14/08/2014 12:28

You're dissing Betty but love Doris?!?!

squoosh · 14/08/2014 12:30

Doris.

Getting ready to party.

Betty or Audrey
burgatroyd · 14/08/2014 12:33

She's hot

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