It's complicated...

[sweetmelody]

So, the time has finally come for me to post in Baby Names (I'm 26 weeks pregnant with DD). Nervous, as conscious some of this info will out me, but none of my friends are expecting so should be nowhere near Baby Names!

This morning DH and I have finally landed on a name that we both like (maybe even love?!). DH is ultra laid back and doesn't understand any of my naming anxieties I am overthinking things apparently

DS is Hayden OIiver. I know, I know... I really loved Hayden, thought it was an old English name that wasn't often used (I wasn't around many children before he was born) and was gutted that in some quarters it was perceived as chavtastic and that it had been bastardised into Jayden, Caden, Brayden and the like. DH's first choice was Oliver and we compromised as he thought it perfect for him when he arrived. However, he is now more insistent that we both love DD's name and is keen on something more traditional.

The name is Martha. My dad lost his sister Pearl this year, and my maternal grandmother was also Pearl so, seems a good choice for a middle name that is a family name. I think Hayden and Martha go well together (apparently this being a consideration is overthinking things!). The problem is our surname. I've seen that it's not the done thing to reveal surnames on threads. Martha would share her name with a businesswoman in the US (good) who heads up a design empire (also good) but was famously done for insider trading and went to prison 10 years ago (not so good). DH insists that hardly anyone will make the connection?!!! He has lived with a famous name for half his life and is reminded of it daily but claims it's only a minor irritation (yeah right). Think Shakespearean actor who become famous after playing the captain of the Starship Enterprise. If I'm not outed now I'll never be

So, in those circumstances, what do we think of Martha (she will also have the same initials as me but I was laughed out of the room when I raised that as an issue!!)

in some quarters it was perceived as chavtastic

Only in quarters of ignorance, OP. Haydn and Aiden are not comparable to the other names you mentioned, although Jaden is in the Bible.

I LOVE Pearl and so wish I'd thought of it before naming DD. Martha is a great name but with your surname, I wouldn't TBH.

She is quite famous. Will prob be meaningless to her peers but not her teachers iyswim. A shame but I would be thinking of her if I heard that name. Not sure if I'm over thinking it too though, I'm sure lots of people share their names with well known people and it doesn't matter. I used to work at a club where members included Peter Stringfellow (older than the celeb) and Harry Potter (a child, but would have been born before books we're well known).

Pearl is gorgeous. Martha as middle name?

I personally would make the connection, as I completely love the US businesswoman to whom you refer, but I wouldn't view it as a bad thing - quite the opposite in fact!

Martha and Pearl are both lovely names.

Your surname is not a rare one and IME children seem to 'inhabit' their names once they are born.

I know multiple James Browns and not a single one of them is the Godfather of Soul and nobody every mentions that 'connection'. Ditto to the 2 Elizabeth Taylors I know etc etc.

You daughter will be her and her name will be her own.
I'd go for it if you both love it and both of you stop over thinking it

MPS would be fine.

Same initials as you may cause a very slight problem when she is old enough to get post, that is all.

PMS, on the other hand, not so good!
I would only view Martha S in a positive light, big fan (have you seen her method for fitted sheets?!)

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I suppose I think there are so many names in the world, why make life difficult by picking one that has 'issues' before her life even starts? I am so drawn to it, though....

Other possibles are:

Eleanor (don't like Ellie, DH doesn't like Nell)
Nina
Erin
Freya
Georgina (we both like Georgie, me not so keen on Georgina)

Incidentally we have both drawn the line at Madeleine which I have always adored

Would still love to have your opinions on my dilemma (anyone given their child a name that had similar connotations??)

Lol to PMS. Surprisingly, tease-worthy initials ARE an issue for DH .

We would both share MS.

I know so many people love Pearl. Although happy to use as a mn, because my aunt and grandmother had the name we wouldn't choose it as a forename - it will always be oldladyish to me

Madeleine is fine - I have one and have never had any comments wrt M McC.

I just asked DH about your choses name and much as he is not a fan of Martha (ignore him!) he made none of the associations to the famous one.

Martha Pearl is lovely and Martha and Hayden go well together :)

I wouldn't worry about the association with the famous person. I recognised the name, but no idea where from. Had to look her up. And to be honest, it doesn't bother me even knowing who she is. Plus, both names are pretty common so it's not like you've named her AFTER her.

I would stick with Martha if you love it, but I love all your other options too.

To remedy your worries about Eleanor and Georgina - how about:
Eleanora (nn Nora)
Eleanor/Ellen (nn Lennie)
Georgiana (pn Georgie-arna or Geor-jayna (prefer -arna))
Georgianna (georgi-anna)
Georgia

Martha is a nice name I would giggle once at her full name once then get over it. I do however think that Martha and Hayden are not in the same category of names, Martha and Oliver yes, Hayden and Tayla-Maiii or something yes. Clearly though you don't view the name in that light.

Nah I wouldn't. That Martha is as famous as Jesus in America, possibly more famous.

Plenty of people called Jesus, squuash in Spain

I still like it.
But I also love Freya.

Just realised - I was thinking of Moira!
I don't think I've ever heard of the Martha person :P

Jesus Brown would be okay. Holy Jesus a bit harder to pull off!

Personally I love the name Hayden, and I think Hayden Oliver is just lovely

I also love Martha, you have good taste in names OP!

What: first name Holy, middle name Jesus?
You're not wrong there!

It was more a comment on the height of MS's fame in that part of the world rather than the name Jesus.

Ah. I see.
I take your point.

Hi, I am not quite sure what Martha you mean! Martha is a lovely name anyhow and I wouldn't think it would be a major issue. I love Martha Pearl, very pretty.

Just wanted to say I would put Hayden and Aidan in a completely different category from the Jayden, Kayden, Brayden type of names. My dp's grandad (think 90 year old from v traditional rural community) was Hayden, think it may be an old English name, and I quite liked it as a middle name but we didn't use it in the end (and I totally disagree with the Tayla-Maii comment upthread).

DH, dd and I all share all 3 initials. Not been a problem. Only to ds who is different.

I might make the connection with the American business woman, but I wouldn't care.

I share a name with a very (in)famous (make) rock star. It gets mentioned from time to time, but not really an issue. It makes couriers chuckle, as apparently there's an Eric Clapton in the next village.

The MPS name is lovely. The only thing I'd say is that Martha is pretty popular, if that matters to you.

Even before you alluded to your surname, I thought of Martha S. I'm a big fan (but obviously not that big as I didn't know she was a felon!).

I would immediately think of her once seeing her name. Sorry but your the actor your husband shares his name with just isn't as famous as Martha S, so it's not the same.

I also love Pearl. I'd not call her Martha. Sorry.

We have an Eleanor who is just known as Eleanor....does not have to become Ellie..