Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Critique my shortlist

67 replies

Theverywherebear · 24/08/2018 19:29

Expecting a baby girl.

Please do your worst to my short ish list

Nieve
Mary
Frida
Madeline
Alice
Betty
Julia
Dorothy to be known as Dot

Im not overly fussed on muddle names but will probably pick a family one possibly Elllen.

Want something not super popular but not too out there hence these choices.

Welcome any other suggestions Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
leighdinglady · 24/08/2018 19:31

Weird spelling of nieve. I'd go Neve if you're trying to avoid the Irish version

Good choices though. Don't like Frieda but that's it

sidonie1 · 24/08/2018 19:35

I absolutely LOVE Frida! My definite no. 1 favourite on your list. Was on mine but vetoed by my husband. Also like Madaline and Mary. Not so keen on the others.

firsttime17 · 24/08/2018 19:36

Nieve - I like the name just not this spelling!
Mary- old fashioned but very sweet and under used.
Frida- not keen on this at all.
Madeline- my favourite on your list, lovely name.
Alice- boring.
Betty- I love this name!
Julia- I picture a middle aged woman, not very nice for a baby or little girl
Dorothy- this is sweet and I love the nn Dot

Hope I wasn't too harsh, Let us know what you decide☺️ x

ReginaPhalange89 · 24/08/2018 19:39

Nieve - nice but not this spelling
Mary - too old fashioned for me . My 80 year old grans name
Freida - ok
Madeline - cute
Alice - cute
Betty - awful
Julia - ok
Dorothy to be known as Dot - too old

Sorry I'm not a massive fan of 'old names', some of these are way too old too me (Mart, Betty, Dorothy).
Of the list I only really like Alice, Niamh and Madeline .

AnyaMoondial · 24/08/2018 19:41

I absolutely love Mary! That’s my favourite. The others are all good, particularly Dorothy nn Dot. Really cute.

Only thing I would say is that Alice is mega popular so just something to be aware of.

ColaCubez · 24/08/2018 19:42

Nieve - my fave, but as the original Irish spelling of Niamh
Mary - meh
Frida - yuck
Madeline - like it
Alice - meh
Betty - old fashioned but not in a trendy way
Julia - too mumsy
Dorothy / Dot - see Betty

BellMcEnd · 24/08/2018 19:43

Love Mary - this was one of my choices for DS if he’d been a DD. Very underused. I don’t know any Marys. It’s lovely.

Otherwise like Alice and Dorothy.

Congratulations!

Greeneyedgeek83 · 24/08/2018 19:45

Nieve - only if Niamh or Neve but lovely name

Mary - dreadful but all the ones I've known have been horrible so that may be why.

Frida - different. Quite nice actually.

Madeline- love it but can only see McCann

Alice- love this but hate how it spells A lice

Betty- only if short for Elizabeth

Julia- on my list. Lovely

Dorothy to be known as Dot- nice.

Overall I'd go Julia or Frieda

Verbena87 · 24/08/2018 19:49

Nieve nice but I too prefer it spelled Niamh

Mary fine, I prefer Maria

Frida gorgeous gorgeous! (Have you read ‘full moon and little frieda’ by Ted Hughes. It’s beautiful, so you should)

Madeline ok

Alice ok

Betty not keen

Julia I really hate it, sorry Blush

Dorothy/Dot I think I like it, but old lady-ish but it would soon become hers.

Good list Grin

userabcname · 24/08/2018 19:50

I really like Dorothy/Dot. I don't mind Julia but prefer Juliet. Madeline is also lovely.

Quangot · 24/08/2018 19:50

Nieve - OK but would spell Neve or Niamh
Mary - nice, classic
Frida - dislike
Madeleine - quite like, although don't like Maddy as nickname
Alice - fusty and staid
Betty - mothballs
Julia - lovely name, really like this
Dorothy - like, but not keen on Dot

Nieve -
Mary

Betty
Julia
Dorothy to be known as Dot

SingedChinchilla · 24/08/2018 19:55

My favourites are Betty and Dorothy. Alice is lovely too, very classic. I would never have thought of calling my baby Mary but the more I think of it the more I like it!

Have you considered Juliette instead of Julia? I think it is much prettier.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 24/08/2018 20:02

Mary ❤️

Theverywherebear · 24/08/2018 20:02

Thank you! I shall report back. Still expecting a child with a penis to pop out tbh.

This is all good feedback.

My son has a very old school infrequently used name that doesn't invite sniggering so I want the same for this child.

Mary I like but worried about virgin Mary comments. Alice seems safe but a bit boring plus I feel the baby's grandparents will reminded of that chubby brown song.

Maddy sounds a bit silly with our surname.

Would it be wanky to spell Niamh if no real links to ireland? Don't want to look like I'm culturally appropriating...

DH wants Rita i have vetoed 😏

OP posts:
greendale17 · 24/08/2018 20:06

Dorothy or Madeline

The rest are so dated

MrsMolehillMountain · 24/08/2018 20:12

NIEVE- horrid
MARY- ❤️ really really beautiful. So underused nowadays and very regal. Classic.
FRIDA- A bit dated and doesn't sound fresh to me.
MADELINE- very pretty!
ALICE- dull!
BETTY- ok but only as a NN for Elizabeth
JULIA- a 'mum' name to me. Dated and not in a classic way.
DOROTHY- I like this one too. Due a comeback.

Mary is the nicest and I don't think you could go wrong with it. It's strong while being classic and feminine... plus she'll probably be the only Mary in her class.

SuperstarDJ · 24/08/2018 20:16

Love Mary. Not keen on any of the others.

Love Juliet but not Julia.

Nevermindhey · 24/08/2018 20:17

Not keen on the names sorry but Madeline is ok.

Petalflowers · 24/08/2018 20:25

I presumed Freda was spelt wrong and should be Freda.

Madeline and Betty are my favourites.

Never liked the name Alice,

Dorothy, Julia and Mary are all,good names.

Other suggestions:
Cora
Kathleen
Dorothea
Jean
Gladys
Joyce
Bettina
Monica
Sybil
Thelma

cheshireagain · 24/08/2018 20:27

Nieve - this spelling reminds me of sieve
Mary - too nativity
Frida - amazing!!!
Madeline - no just no.
Alice - in wonderland
Betty - boop
Julia - definitely not.
Dorothy to be known as Dot - Dot is AMAZING, Dorothy is too old lady

AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight · 24/08/2018 20:29

Nieve - not this spelling.
Mary - good
Frida - good
Madeline - good
Alice - quite popular
Betty - not keen
Julia - due a revival IMO
Dorothy to be known as Dot - not hugely keen, prefer Dorothea

Mary and Madeline are my favourites (and actually work well as a first + middle name combo), followed by Frida.

Quangot · 24/08/2018 20:33

I think it's fine to use the Niamh spelling. Many names are used by people who aren't from the same place as where the name originated. If you spell it properly too, that is respectful to the culture.

ColaCubez · 24/08/2018 20:38

I love your DHs suggestion of Rita. It would be one I'd definitely consider if I had any more DC.

What about Zita / Zeta?

BurtTyrannosaurusMacklin · 24/08/2018 20:39

I love Frida. By far my favourite on your list, so cool!

redshoeblueshoe · 24/08/2018 20:48

I love Betty. I know one and she is a sweetie