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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Habour Grace

53 replies

18katie · 04/04/2015 17:37

Hello,
We are expecting a girl and I love the idea of Harbour (I think of a safe place and the ocean which are positive connotations in my mind). I know that it is not a very gendered name, but I love how it sounds paired with Grace, which I think is very feminine. We are Canadian, hence the spelling of Harbour. I think it is one of those names that might be beautiful once it is attached to a person. I would love some feedback:)

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Original poster

18katie · 04/04/2015 17:39

Harbour:)

OP posts:

wizzler · 04/04/2015 17:40

I like it... not heard it before and am usually quote conservative but I really like it

Gemerama · 04/04/2015 17:41

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Gemerama · 04/04/2015 17:42

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Methe · 04/04/2015 17:42

We spell harbour like that too.. It's the proper way ;)

I quite like it :)

florascotia · 04/04/2015 18:02

I really, really don't wish to sound critical, but, as previous poster says, to many people who live close to the sea, a harbour is a place full of rough men, often drunk, and/or customs officers and police and security fences. It's either smelling of fish or floodlit, mechanised, and full of cranes and trucks hauling shipping containers around.

I'm afraid I'm also not too keen on the current trend of naming a child after something that so obviously isn't a human being. To me, the original meaning of the word always comes into my mind. (I have the same problem with popular names, such as Olive and Willow ... I see salty green snacks and woven baskets first....) But that's just personal taste. We all have different likes and dislikes.

I think the meanings that harbour has for you are absolutely lovely, but I would use the word 'haven' to convey them. Best wishes, whatever you choose.

SoupDreggon · 04/04/2015 18:05

You are naming a child, not a pet.

meditrina · 04/04/2015 18:07

It might be better to go for Marina?

LillyRose86 · 04/04/2015 18:07

I have to say no. I wholeheartedly believe you should pick a name YOU love but Harbour is just silly. Let her have a pretty timeless name. It can still be unique and meaningful.

LillyRose86 · 04/04/2015 18:08

Haven is lovely x

meditrina · 04/04/2015 18:11

I know one can get shouted at here for pointing out horrible NN potential, but Shaven Haven would be unfortunate.

Gemerama · 04/04/2015 18:16

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SirChenjin · 04/04/2015 18:19

No, don't like it at all - sorry. Harbour Grace sounds like the name of a boat imo, with many harbours in the UK being places with dodgy bars, rowdy boat crew, fish being unloaded and diesel.

MincePieDiet · 04/04/2015 18:22

Sounds like a fishing boat name.

IvoryMadonna · 04/04/2015 18:24

I have to say Harbour Grace sounds like a prostitute.

RedToothBrush · 04/04/2015 18:27

I quite like it. But I have quite strange taste by British standards. And therein lies your issue with most of the responses you'll get on MN. Harbour is a name which is much more north American in taste and wouldn't be blinked at that but will be hated by British ears.

So to my mind it depends on where you live and to bare that in mind when considering some of the responses on here.

Penguinotterfoxbadger · 04/04/2015 18:43

I quite like it (and I usually have conservative naming tastes too). Haven is even lovelier though, and maybe will cause fewer and reactions.

Harbour Grace
Haven Grace

Both really nice imo

Penguinotterfoxbadger · 04/04/2015 18:46

Oh, and fwiw, I grew up by the sea and "Harbour" does not make me think of rough drunken men! Lobster pots maybe.. But nothing worse than that...

DramaAlpaca · 04/04/2015 18:47

Haven or Marina are much nicer, imo.

Haven Grace is beautiful.

SirChenjin · 04/04/2015 19:19

Oh god no - Haven is the name of a holiday company and shaven haven is not something you want to name your DD after

CornChips · 04/04/2015 19:49

I can honestly say that the name Harbour has never crossed my mind before, but I really like it. I also imagine that it is a name that people will only associate with your DD. Also love Haven.I would associate it with peacefulness also.... safe harbour and all that.

I am not a fan of Marina, but like Maren in the sea theme..... had a brief bid to name DS Marin, but was vetoed.

rockinrobintweet · 04/04/2015 19:58

i quite like it and am all for people using a name that has sentimental value to the parents; hopefully that's why you're trying to get at in your Op anyway. ?xx

LadyGregory · 04/04/2015 20:05

I think it's a name that, for someone with no associations with actual harbours, sounds peaceful and rural/maritime in a safely metaphorical 'safe haven' kind of way, but for those who live in/know harbour towns, what it conjures up is docks, ferries, diesel, fish entrails and quotas, and early-opening bars full of knackered men in oilskins.

Rather like calling a baby Garage Anne or Bus Station Marie...?

girliefriend · 04/04/2015 20:08

Harbour, nope don't like it.

Like Haven a lot though.

Gralick · 04/04/2015 20:10

I like it! Love it in fact It's very uncommon, the implications of 'safe; home; seaside' are charming, and it doesn't end in a girly vowel sound. I'm also particularly fond of the name Grace.

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