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

Opinions on Lavinia

45 replies

oliveisabella1 · 29/10/2016 21:41

Really stuck for names - we already have a Seraphina - does Lavinia go? What does it make you think of? All I can find on the internet are negative literary etc connotations, but in real life will anyone actually think of them? Thinking there are lots of interesting potential nicknames, and it's unusual enough to be on a level with Seraphina- but is there a good reason for that? Help please!!

OP posts:
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HoratioNightboy · 29/10/2016 21:43

Makes me think of the Scottish author Lavinia Derwent. I liked her and I like the name.

Lavvy might come up as a nn though.

Sophronia · 29/10/2016 21:46

Lavinia is a lovely name

Queenbean · 29/10/2016 21:46

It's lovely

For a plump, posh 50-something farmer's wife who accessorises with Cath Kidson

May be a good time to reclaim it!

TheLegendOfBeans · 29/10/2016 21:47

Yes it's a lovely name but oooooooh, you know that the shortened version will be "Lav" - NOT COOL.

HappyCamel · 29/10/2016 21:50

Love Lavinia, classic and underused name.

Pluto30 · 29/10/2016 21:50

Lavatory is all that comes to mind.

I don't like it at all.

My2centsworth · 29/10/2016 21:51

No sorry I don't like it.

SittingDrinkingTea · 29/10/2016 21:52

It's kind of the opposite of the currently fashionable cutesy names, which suit toddlers but not adults. It's a very 'big' name for a little girl, but a great name to grow into.

DramaAlpaca · 29/10/2016 21:54

I think Seraphina is an absolutely beautiful name.

The full name Lavinia is pretty, but the inevitable abbreviation to Lav or Lavvy would not be good.

Suggestions for similar types of names:

Valentina
Clementine
Evangeline
Persephone

BikeRunSki · 29/10/2016 21:54

Does anybody actually use the word "lavatory" anymore?

Pluto30 · 29/10/2016 21:55

Bike No, but that doesn't mean that people don't still KNOW the word.

Whyisitsodifficult · 29/10/2016 21:57

I knew a little girl called Lavinia who was just the most precocious and precious brat I have ever met! Mind you maybe down to her mum with her "no darling don't do that" whilst said child did the exact opposite!

PaperdollCartoon · 29/10/2016 21:58

I quite like it, unusual but not silly and made up. I'd think you could shorten it to Vinnie as well if you were so inclined.

TheLegendOfBeans · 29/10/2016 22:00

BikeRun having worked with a brace of cheeky cockney city boys gits I can confirm that "lav" is still in extensive use.

As is "slash" and "wazz" Confused

emmeline7725 · 29/10/2016 22:01

I knew a Lavinia once. She was awful in so many ways that the name is tarnished for me. She did, however, get called Lin by some family members so that's an alternative if you want to avoid Lav.

oliveisabella1 · 29/10/2016 22:17

Ahh yes I can see Lav/Lavvy might be a problem, I was thinking nicknames more like Vivi, Liv, Vinnie, Vina, Vinia even Vita - but maybe I'm being too optimistic- I don't want her to completely hate it.

OP posts:
RosaliesGinBottle · 29/10/2016 22:24

I know one little girl with the name, and it does work. Unusual but not out there.

Wheredidallthejaffacakesgo · 29/10/2016 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vegangelist · 29/10/2016 22:35

It's not a patch on Seraphina which I absolutely love.
Evangeline would be a perfect sibset.

Other ideas:
Mirabelle
Delphine
Angelica/Angelique
Celestine (ok, I really do like Angel names!)
Genevieve (can give you your Vivi nn)
Aurora
Felicity
Verity

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 29/10/2016 22:35

Ooh wasn't the Lead Nasty Girl in The Little Princess called Lavinia?? Can't get over that I'm afraid.

MrsNuckyThompson · 29/10/2016 22:44

Sorry, don't like it.

bluebump · 29/10/2016 22:47

My DS goes to school with a Lavinia, I like it.

MidnightVelvetthe7th · 29/10/2016 22:50

I like Lavinia. I also like Vivienne & Genevieve

rainbow99 · 29/10/2016 23:25

I really like it and think it goes nicely with Seraphina. I would use Liv/Livvy as a nn

Tarttlet · 29/10/2016 23:34

I really like it - it's not too fussy.

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