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Baby names

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

Jemima or Tabitha

44 replies

LessonsLearned · 24/09/2016 22:32

I love these names so much. Yes, I know all about Beatrix Potter! Yes, I know a lot of people think Tabitha is a cat's name but I don't really know any cats so it doesn't bother me. So, those things aside... Which do you prefer?

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Sophronia · 24/09/2016 22:35

I love both, but slightly prefer Jemima.

Whosthemummy16 · 24/09/2016 22:36

Jemima but I am very biased !

MrsRonBurgundy · 24/09/2016 22:37

I LOVE Tabitha. It's a gorgeous name.

WhiskersAndPaws · 24/09/2016 22:38

Jemima is one of my all time favourite names.

Sgtmajormummy · 24/09/2016 22:47

Reading your OP, I had a suspicion that Jemima was a bit of a racist insult in America.

Having Googled, it seems "Aunt Jemima" is shorthand for the black housekeeper/nanny figure and was a brand of cake mixes in the USA.
However, it was only a slight suspicion before I Googled.

Congratulations, whatever you choose!

dontpokethebear · 24/09/2016 22:51

LOVE Jemima. I would have loved it for dd, but husband said it made him think of a rosy cheeked, fat girl. DD is very rosy and quite chubby Grin would have suited her perfectly.

Tabitha also lovely!

NotSureYet · 24/09/2016 22:53

Jemimah is DD1's middle name. Tabitha is likely to become DD2's middle name when she's born in November. Love both!!

pilotswife · 24/09/2016 22:53

Both are beautiful, slightly prefer Tabitha

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 24/09/2016 22:54

Tabitha.

Tabis for short :)

Stellabystarlight · 24/09/2016 22:59

For balance amongst the lovers of these names. I honestly don't much like either, but Jemima is less bad. And neither are as awful as Murphy Smile

DramaAlpaca · 24/09/2016 23:01

Of the two, Jemima.

0pti0na1 · 25/09/2016 01:01

Jemima

woodly2013 · 25/09/2016 01:04

Both lovely names but Jemima edges it for me

elephantoverthehill · 25/09/2016 01:07

I have taught a few Tabithas, all great students, but I cannot recall a Jemima.

FlappyRose · 25/09/2016 01:16

Tabitha is a beautiful name.

apatheticfallacy · 25/09/2016 01:20

Tabitha (tabs) is lovely.

Jemima makes me think of vagina... I know they're only vaguely similar but I think it stems from early childhood Elizabeth Regina/Vagina/Jemima Puddleduck confusion.... I had glue ear.

CakeRattleandRoll · 25/09/2016 04:02

Tabitha. Love it.

KoalaDownUnder · 25/09/2016 04:12

Jemima. Love it.

Not so keen on Tabitha.

Pemba · 25/09/2016 04:24

Between the two, Jemima I think. It has a nicer sound. Think it's maybe biblical?

I know about the 'Aunt Jemima' thing, but that is very much an American thing, so I suppose if you are unlikely to live there or visit much it can safely be ignored.

My first association as a Brit would be the little girl in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. And then the rhyme:

'Oh Jemima, look at your Uncle Jim
He's in the duckpond learning how to swim
First he did the breaststroke, then he did the glide
Now he's underwater, swimming against the tide'

(Can't remember where that came from!)

But they aren't negative associations.

KoalaDownUnder · 25/09/2016 04:31

Also, Tabitha is a 3-syllable name with basically no good nicknames. Tab? Tabby? (Then she'll really sound like a cat!)

Jemima gives you Jem or Mima. Smile

Barefootcontessa84 · 25/09/2016 08:06

I like both, but Jemima edges it for me because I'm not keen on the nicknames that come out of Tabitha.

grandmainmypocket · 25/09/2016 08:09

Both lovely but I really like Jemima.

woodly2013 · 25/09/2016 08:58

Jemima was the rag doll in playschool. Remember Amble who was the other doll too?

notagiraffe · 25/09/2016 09:04

Both are nice but I prefer Jemima.

Nelleflowerpot · 25/09/2016 09:43

Jemima is my favorite