Is Poppy too cutesy a name?

[Rubaloo]

DD2 is 3 weeks old and we have yet to decide on a name.

We almost called DD1 Poppy but were worried that although it’s a lovely name for a little girl, it wasn’t ‘grown up’ enough for an adult and was too cutesy.

I still love the name so had planned to call DD2 Poppy (especially as her due date was Remembrance Sunday) but now she’s here I have the same fear and can’t picture an older Poppy.

My dithering has put DH off it a bit now and he prefers Jessica nn Jess. I don’t mind this but I didn’t like the only Jess I knew at school and I keep thinking Jessica Fletcher, especially as our surname starts with an F. It also seems very common where we are.

DD1 is called Elizabeth which I love as its timeless but not that common and lends itself to various nicknames if she doesn’t want to use her full name.

Am I over thinking it too much? Should I just go with what I like or will a cutesy name stop her being taken seriously when she’s an adult?

TIA. I know we’re on the clock!!

On a toddler, fine. Walking into the boardroom, not so much.

What does that actually mean?

You don't have to like a name, but it is plainly ridiculous to suggest that it is going to have a detritmental impact the child's life.

If Poppy is walking into the boardroom, she will be doing so because she has the requisite skills to do so. Just as every other board member - whether they are called Jessica, Elizabeth, Gertrude or Emily or maybe even a name that is not traditionally British !!!

My great-grandmother was Poppy, she lived till 93, so I don’t think of it as a little girl name! The 2 Poppy’s I currently know are both 12/13 and rock their name.

I really like Poppy but it doesn't go with Elizabeth at all. Not keen on Jessica.

Poppy is only cute on a child. Imagine her as a Poppy at 60 or 70. I think you could use Penelope if you like Poppy as a pet name.

I sort of get the concern about Poppy, and TBF it doesn’t seem a great match for a sister called Elizabeth. OTOH if you like it, bloody well use it and she’ll become a brain surgeon if that’s what she wants.

But I don’t think Daisy is at all the same cutesy sort of name. It’s more an “old lady” name that’s come back into fashion - like Elsie and Mabel etc.

I know 4 women from the age of 27 to around late 50s called Poppy.
It's a nice name.

I'm not keen on Poppy. Elizabeth is a great name.
I wouldn't use Jessica either if you don't love it. I think it will definitely date.

How about Penelope shortened to Poppy? If I had a DD that’s what I’d call her.

Jessica is really nineties and I’m amazed it’s still so popular. My DD (6) has two Jessica’s in her class which amazes me. I’m not keen on it personally. Poppy isn’t a favourite of mine either, it sounds like a cats name.

Well if Jessica is popular now then it's not really 90s anymore is it? I would say it's more 80s as DD is 25 and none of her friends or classmates were Jessicas, but she knows a few slightly older, like early 30s. So I would say it WAS an 80s name, but now current again. I really like it , but for something a bit more unusual how about Jessamine or Jessamy?

Poppy is cute, but yes, cutesy. Also doesn't seem to work well in other European countries (think maybe it sounds like their words for Daddy or Grandpa?). Elizabeth is a very serious classic long name with many different short forms and Poppy doesn't seem to match well. For longer classic names that would go better I'd suggest:

Rosalind or Rosamund (then could use Rosie for short?)
Katherine
Susannah
Rebecca
Marianne
Madeleine
Jennifer (yes I know people will say dated but it's lovely IMO and about to be revived)
Miranda
Olivia
Eleanor
Julia or Juliet
Charlotte
Caroline
Louisa
Georgina
Abigail

Oh it’s lovely and won’t affect her negatively through life at all - there are lots of odd names around and Poppy is completely normal and pretty.

I know an adult poppy and think its a nice name. I think people go too deep into thinking 'ooh, it doesnt pass the Priminister /Judge or Doctor test! Absolutely ridiculous. (anyone going into professions like this will have to pass lots of recognised qualifications and spend years doing so! Very shallow to judge someone on their name.

Elizabeth and Jessica. Lovely.

Poppy is very cutesy and sounds like poppett or poopy. Sorry but I don't like it at all.

I really dislike this name and think it has a silly silly sound, sorry.

Comical sounding, sorry.

I’m shocked by how much negativity this is getting! I work with a Poppy and she is 28. She has a very professional job (we work in financial services in the City) and I’ve never considered her name cutesy.....

It’s hard to imagine a stout 50 year old called Poppy.

I agree, Poppy doesn’t work with Elizabeth.

KERALA1 you have spectacularly missed the point about what it means to be a strong woman. You don't think a news reporter can be taken seriously because she's called Daisy? Here's a news flash for you women can be feminine, pretty delicate and named after flowers etc and still be respected for having a brain and taken seriously! Empowerment is not copying men, if you can only hear serious news from conservatively dressed men called Mark you are doing nothing for girl power.

Err right. Of course women can be strong called Daisy, Poppy, Fee-Fee, Honey, Cutie or whatever but really why give our daughters that extra hurdle? As parents don't we want to enable them to be strong and happy women why put further obstacles in their way by burdening them with these awful childlike cutesy names? There isn't a male equivalent. It bugs me but just my opinion.

Yes very cutesy for an adult, like the other flower names, including Lily.

KERALA1
I don't recognise your world in which being called Daisy or Poppy is in any way a "hurdle* for a woman

What examples do you have of a woman's name causing the problems you seem convinced exist?

I really like Poppy, and think anyone can wear this name. However it does seem odd to me as a sister to Elizabeth. They seem such different styles, and it gives a feeling of the older sister with the sensible name and the little sister with the little sister name. I would love Penelope, Josephine or Calliope with nickname Poppy as Elizabeth's sister. Or Jessica Poppy really works.

Having a toddlers name is not an advantage in the adult world. HOw is that a controversial opinion? Hopefully it wouldn't prevent someone fulfilling their potential but its not going to help is it? I want to give my girls every advantage I can. Call your dd Honey Cutie Poppy Ditzy thats fine, your prerogative but don't expect me to think its a great choice.