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Original poster

Thoughts on Maggie

76 replies

No3sept14 · 02/09/2014 10:59

Hi,
I have an Oliver and an Elsie and am due any day with another girlie.

Our names list was:
Martha
Mathilda
Maggie
Beatrice

I have always loved Maggie but it seems to get a really strong reaction (not a good one either!) and loads of people absolutely hate it.

What's the general consensus on Maggie?

Whilst I like the other names I find Bea a bit predictable, Martha a little hard and I love Matilda but can't stand the nn Tilly and have no control over what they will end up being called at school.

To be fair Elsie got a massive marmite reaction when she was born so I'm not adverse to a marmite name but is Maggie a hard name?

Thanks in advance!!!

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amyhamster · 02/09/2014 11:00

I prefer martha from your list

Maggie just reminds me of the milk snatcher I'm afraid

Original poster
No3sept14 · 02/09/2014 11:01

Oh and it wouldn't be short for Margaret or Magdalena or Margot. Elsie is just Elsie not Elizabeth or Elspeth. I'm not fussed about a formal name when they won't be called by it ever.

OP posts:
loudarts · 02/09/2014 11:03

Maggie Simpson was my first thought, sorry

Jumblebee · 02/09/2014 11:04

I love it! I wanted it for DD but DH got the final say Hmm definitely using it for a future DD though

EverythingCounts · 02/09/2014 11:05

I love Maggie but DH didn't like it so was ruled out for a DD. I have also noticed the strong reaction either way. Personally I like to give the 'full' name even if the shortened one is being used day to day, so I would have struggled as I don't like Margaret as much. But even so, it's a lovely name to me. (However, I'm not a fan of Elsie so our tastes are clearly not completely the same...) I would go for it if you love it. How can it be a hard name when it's used for Maggie Simpson? Also Maggie Gyllenhaal...

BunnyLebowski · 02/09/2014 11:06

I love love love Maggie. It's a really down to earth and feisty name. Full of character. There's a lovely MNer who has an adorable Maggie Rose.

Don't let the Thatcher associations put you off - it doesn't put me off and I grew up in a house where her name was practically a curse word.

Martha is ok. Really don't like Mathilda or Beatrice.

And I agree with you about 'proper' names. My DD has a similar nicknamey name. Didn't occur to me to give her a full name she'd never use! Hopefully she won't become a High Court judge Wink .

elpth · 02/09/2014 11:07

I really like Maggie but it does say Simpsons or Thatcher to me. Doesn't mean you can't use it though!
I knew a lovely Matilda who was nicknamed Tilda. Really suited her. Also love the name Martha and your existing kids' names. You had great taste in my opinion!

elpth · 02/09/2014 11:08

*have not had!

WittgensteinsBunny · 02/09/2014 11:14

I love it!

LindaMcCartneySausage · 02/09/2014 11:17

I like it. I know a three year old and a 25 year old Maggie. Doesn't remind me of Margaret Thatcher.

Original poster
No3sept14 · 02/09/2014 15:36

Thanks guys. Mixed responses here as well I see. It's weird how everyone I know seems to turn their noses up at it. I never wobbled on Elsie despite the reaction it got. My brother and Mum love it but everyone else just goes silent. Argh!!!!

OP posts:
Sophronia · 02/09/2014 15:49

I just think of Thatcher.

squoosh · 02/09/2014 15:53

I love Maggie, such a strong and feisty name. Much prefer it to all the other names on your list.

Bowlersarm · 02/09/2014 15:54

I love Maggie. Martha is ok. Don't like the others.

BreeVDKamp · 02/09/2014 15:56

I think Maggie would be a very cool little girl. Love it!

MrsDavidBowie · 02/09/2014 16:04

I love all your names
And I rarely this k that!
Especially Maggie and Martha.

MrsDavidBowie · 02/09/2014 16:04

Think

NadiaWadia · 02/09/2014 16:05

Maggie has a very harsh and unattractive sound IMO. Sorry. But if you must do it then at least give her Margaret (or Margarita, Marguerite, Margot?) for a proper name on the birth certificate, so she can have options later in life.

squoosh · 02/09/2014 16:06

Maggie is a 'proper' name.

NadiaWadia · 02/09/2014 16:07

So that if she wants she can pick another nicer nickname when she gets older.

HorraceTheOtter · 02/09/2014 16:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VisualiseAHorse · 02/09/2014 16:19

Love, but I would go for Margret on the birth certificate and Maggie as a Nn.

Original poster
No3sept14 · 02/09/2014 16:26

Margaret is just such an awful name though. I would hate to be called it. Some of the comments on here have made me giggle...my pelvic floor really isn't up to that! Loving the use of crossing out words...never seen that on a forum before. Blush. My son who has been dead set on boring old Beatrice has just conceded that she could be called Maggie Bea as a compromise. Who knew a 5 year old or a male for that matter could compromise. Ha ha. Elsie wasn't a to call her Pink Baby. Hmmm...helpful. It's funny because this thread is almost making me feel defiant about the name Maggie which is how I got with Elsie when everyone told me they hated it 3 years ago. My MIL said when Oliver was born "Thank god it wasn't a girl so you didn't call it Elsie!". Then literally went silent when we rang her to say Elsie has been born 2 years later. She just said "Oh, so will she be known as Elsie?" To which my husband said "no mum, day to day she'll be called Barbara!" She knew to not mention it again after that. Part of me wants to annoy her again because Matt's Granny is called Margaret and my MIL can't stand her. Hee hee. I'm horrible.

OP posts:
Petitgrain · 02/09/2014 16:55

Oh it's not such an awful name to be called,honestly. Hmm

badg3r · 02/09/2014 17:12

I have a great friend called Margaret who has always been called Maggie. I think it's a great name. I don't think the connotations with Maggie Thatcher are an issue, while the mums might still think it, the reference is definitely too old for kids to pick up on nowadays. And it's really uncommon but known enough to not raise eyebrows (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maggie Smith). It's impossible to pick a name that people will unanimously love, if you both like it then go for it!