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Baby names

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

Malin for a girl?

91 replies

Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:08

Is this a bit ‘out there’ or too different? (I don’t know any youngsters with the name)

I’m half Danish, so the scandi link means it’s not completely odd, and I’ve always been a fan or the name. But I’d like honest opinions...

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Lifeaback · 30/05/2018 16:10

I like the name, but makes me think of the nasty girl who was on that trashy reality TV show ‘love island’. Probably in the minority’s though so don’t let that put you off!

mummabearfoyrbabybears · 30/05/2018 16:15

How do you pronounce it? Like mailing a letter?

fearfultrill · 30/05/2018 16:20

I don't like it, wouldn't know how to pronounce it.

AnaChocolatte · 30/05/2018 16:21

I like it, I did briefly consider it for DD. I think it will be fairly unheard of to British ears but it will be less so since all the Scandi tv and books came out which have being so popular over the last few years.

What put me off is the mal = bad connection. It has a vaguely negative association linguistically.

AuntieStella · 30/05/2018 16:22

It's a shipping forecast area.

I've never come across it as a person's name, and it doesn't sing to me.

wizzywig · 30/05/2018 16:23

I like it, but i have a scandi obsession. I think theres a fish called marlin

haverhill · 30/05/2018 16:25

Yes, a big fish was my first thought. Is is Mallin or Marlin? It’s not the prettiest sound but that may not bother you.

Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:26

It’s pronounced Maah-lin.

I’ve never really seen the issue with people not being able to pronounce or spell from seeing it written down, but I’ve travelled a lot and I work in a cosmopolitan environment, less boring names are more appealing to me than common, samey names. I have a fairly standard, relatively common name that I’m frequently having to spell out, it really hasn’t held me back!! 😂😂

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donajimena · 30/05/2018 16:26

I love it. But I do have a Swedish friend with the name.

Singlenotsingle · 30/05/2018 16:26

Could be confused with "malign" Shock

Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:27

Less positive comments make it even more appealing to me actually!! 😂😂😂

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wellhonestly · 30/05/2018 16:27

Is French for "nasty".

MinisWin · 30/05/2018 16:27

I love it! I have a scandi connection too (though much weaker than yours!) and would consider using it next time even. Really sophisticated, and unusual without being too 'out there'.

Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:27

Google Malin Ackerman...

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TroubledLichen · 30/05/2018 16:29

It sort of means malicious in French, there isn’t so much a direct translation but you see the phrase ‘malin plaisir’ meaning malicious pleasure. It’s not exactly something you hear regularly but I’ve mostly come across it with reference to the devil.

So for me it’s a definite no. Particularly if you ever take holidays in France.

Graphista · 30/05/2018 16:29

I love it but then I have a massive crush on Malin Akerman. Easy to pronounce from how it is spelt as far as I'm concerned.

Flexoset · 30/05/2018 16:32

Sorry - I also read it as "nasty" in French or malign/malignant in English.

Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:34

It’s not French, so the French association to ‘nasty’ doesn’t bother me

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Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:35

Thanks all, even the rather derogatory comments have hardened my resolve! 😂 I love it even more!!

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Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:37

“Norwegian and Swedish short form of Magdalena. Pronounced: MAH-lin. The meaning of the name Malin is ''woman from magdala''

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RoseAndRose · 30/05/2018 16:37

You could have a fishy theme - Shannon and Bailey would work nicely. Wouldn't advise Dogger

swimmerlab · 30/05/2018 16:37

When I say it out loud it sounds like marlin, so my association is with fish!

Madbengalmum · 30/05/2018 16:39

Reminds me, love island is on soon!

Billybigballs123 · 30/05/2018 16:40

Nope. Means evil/devil so if you have a child and give it that name I’d say you’re a bit of a bitch. That child will have to live with that forever. I may be flamed (like a kid with that name would be tbh), but I believe in being honest even if it is brutal.

BookThiefBlue · 30/05/2018 16:41

I like the name. A friend of mine has the same name but it's spelt, 'Mallen'. She is mainly known as Mal, and very rarely uses the full name.