Help! Picked my name but a friend may use it first!

[yummymango]

I have chosen Violet for DD2. I had my heart set on it, we don't know any Violets and it goes nicely with our surname. I picked it even before I was pregnant! Unfortunately I have found out that someone I know quite well is considering Violet for her newborn DD. I am gutted! I have searched through hundreds of names but can't find anything I like as much. Any suggestions please? I don't want something popular and I don't generally like masculine names or names ending in ella or illy. Thank you!

[Wishful80smontage]

I know 3 but one is spelt Violette (pn Violet) but think you can pronounce it Vee - o - lette

[Plateofcrumbs]

I have an unusual name and hate meeting other people with the same name - it is 'my' name and it feels strange to share it IYSWIM. But we chose a popular name for DS and I love meeting other children with the same name, it's like they have a common bond. Not sure how he will feel about it when he is older - we chose a name with nickname options we like so he can go by a more unusual nickname if he wants to be more unique.

Long way of saying I'd pick Violet if that's the name you love!

[BertrandRussell]

Well "crazy popular" if you think 703 Violets out of 364000 baby girls born in 2013 is "crazy popular"!

It is on the increase though.

[BubGal13]

Violet is gorgeous!! I think you'll regret not using it looking back (as you'll realise who cares, not a biggie, you don't live with other person so really isn't an issue) more than you would regret using it (if at all) - as still loving the name and thinking of it longingly if you don't do it would be a real shame. Go for it!!

[FatWalda]

They live 200 miles away? Forget about it.

Personally I prefer Viola (pronounced similar to Violet, not Vi-OH-la). It's not so close to Violent and a little more unusual, I think.

[emmalineavocado]

Vivienne?

Valentina?

[TandemFlux]

Still call her violet. It doesn't matter really long term. Tell your friend that that's what you are going to call your child and you won't be offended if she wants to use the name too.

Alternatives if you sadly feel too awkward
Scarlett
Charlotte
Bridget
Odette
Celeste
Verity
Fleurette
Harriet
Valerie
Vera
Veronica
Victoria
Vanessa

[TandemFlux]

Charlotte with Lottie as nick name?

[SaltySeaBird]

I liked the name too but my sister kept saying it was close to Violent which put me off. I think it's a pretty name personally.

[MerryMarigold]

Are you pg, op? Or is this in car you have a dd2?! Some lovely suggestions. I love Vivienne

[prepperpig]

Fatwalda pronouncing Viola which is both a real name and the name of an instrument differently to the way it is actually pronounced is going to result in a lifetime of correcting people and is a bit odd. Plus its then like the word vile.

Viola is a good alternative though.

[prepperpig]

Viane is pretty

[MerryMarigold]

Surly no one would pronounce viola the name the same way as the instrument

[Zzzsnatcher]

If you don't want popular then don't choose Violet. Really popular here

[prepperpig]

What I meant is you are going to get vee OH la, vi OH la and VI oh la

[Indantherene]

Colleague had a baby Violet last week :)

[BertrandRussell]

I really don't understand this popular thing. There were 703 baby girls called Violet born last year- that's one in every 517 baby girls. How does that possibly equate to "popular"?

[LemonYellowSun]

Violet is really popular. It was my great grandmothers name and she was only ever know as Vi.

If your friend doesn't live near you I wouldn't worry too much , but I would joke with her beforehand that you will be using it so she better expect it

[Zzzsnatcher]

Maybe they all born in my area lol

[getbusyliving]

Bertrand the stats haven't been released yet for 2014 so people are talking about all the brand new little Violets. In the other baby thread 'name the last 3 girls born' Violet was mentioned often enough to suggest it has jumped from its 78th placing in 2013... will be interesting to see

[yummymango]

Thanks for everyone's comments - sorry haven't been on all day.

MerryMarigold yes I am pg, due August with a girl, number 2. We picked an italian name for dd1, we love it and don't often meet anyone with the same name (except in Italy where it's a popular one - but as we don't live there it doesn't matter).

I must say I am disappointed to hear how popular Violet it is! By the way I love parma violets, and violet creams and this only adds to why I love the name. It exists in my family too a couple of generations ago.

Thanks for all the suggestions, some lovely names but I don't think I've seen the one just yet :)

[TandemFlux]

Greta
Valentina

[ScrambledEggAndToast]

This is such a MN thing worrying about calling your child the same name as your friend's child! This wouldn't bother me at all, it's not 'your' name and equally it's not your friend's name. If you like it then just go for it.

[2boys2girls]

Omg not another violet ... Its so popular