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

Is this name too bonkers?

67 replies

EttieBettie · 09/01/2019 12:38

Hello
I really love the girl’s name Purdey (as in The Avengers). It feels cool and 70s and kick-ass to me.
What do you think? Does anyone know any one called Purdey?
Thanks!

OP posts:
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dogmum0 · 09/01/2019 12:38

Love

Orangepear · 09/01/2019 12:39

Isn't it short for Perdita?

DarkStorm · 09/01/2019 12:39

Yes.

rachelfrost · 09/01/2019 12:39

Reminds me of something to do with a little bird? Dunno why. But otherwise okay, a bit cutesy for me as it sounds like pretty. That might have to do with the bird. Is the bird a thing?

Greenteandchives · 09/01/2019 12:40

Would you consider Perdita nn Purdey? If not, just use it!

Moominfan · 09/01/2019 12:40

It's not for me, did you like the name before you was pregnant?

Mrsfrumble · 09/01/2019 12:41

I’ve only ever heard it as short for Perdita, which is also very cool.

Charles11 · 09/01/2019 12:42

My builder/painter kept going on about his purdy brushes so that’s the first thing that came to my mind.

halfwitpicker · 09/01/2019 12:43

Love it

TinyRick · 09/01/2019 12:43

Deliverance sprang immediately to mind.

I wouldn't use it.

Chocolateismynemesis · 09/01/2019 12:45

I know one and it really suits her. Doesn’t seem that “out there” to me - didn’t raise an eyebrow when I heard it for the first time.

HouseworkIsASin10 · 09/01/2019 12:48

Purdey in Avengers was named after a gun.

MikeUniformMike · 09/01/2019 12:53

Yes, she was. I think it was a nn or her surname.
If people can name a child Taylor, Parker, Riley etc then why not Purdey.

I woud put Perdita on the bc.
I think you might find that Purdey is a bit of a cat's name

EttieBettie · 09/01/2019 12:55

Thanks for all your thoughts! I’ve not come across the name Purdita so am going to look into it now- thank you.
I can see the connection with Birds as it sort of sounds like ‘birdie’ (coincidently I also like the Irish name Bridie! - maybe I subconsciously want something bird-like!!!)
I don’t like Deliverance. Is that a film? I May or may not look it up!! Because I wish I hadn’t looked up Purdy Brushes - that has really made me LOL. She’d definitely get a few of those as joke newborn gifts I’m sure!!!
I heard the name a few years ago and sort of like it so stored in the memory bank.
Thanks all!

OP posts:
HollyBollyBooBoo · 09/01/2019 12:55

Proper name is Perdita which I love, also like Purdey as a nickname but it'll always be a cats name to me (no idea why, was there a famous one or something?!)

EttieBettie · 09/01/2019 12:56

Ha! I often get told that the names I think are either cat or dog names!! Thanks for this.

OP posts:
LimpidPools · 09/01/2019 12:58

Watch out OP, it's Perdita, not Purdita.

And said Purr-dit-a, not Per-deeta Grin

Littlechocola · 09/01/2019 12:59

Perdita is the mummy dog in 101 dalmations. I love it.

babysharkah · 09/01/2019 13:00

Love it.

Perdiesmum · 09/01/2019 13:05

Name changed for this.

I have a Perdita. It's a Shakespearean name meaning 'lost'. A lot of people don't like the meaning but having read the play (which is where I found the name) in my youth, I know that Perdita was a beautiful long-lost princess who is found and helps bring two families together. She is known as Perdie but when people mention her full name, they often get it wrong. The UK pronunciation is PER-di-ta - but most people seem to default to the US one of Per-DEE-ta.

The name Purdey in The Avengers as someone said upthread was inspired by the traditional English gunsmith James Purdey and Sons. They're known for their shotguns and their shops is located in London's Mayfair. Since naming my DD, I have had a few people tell me that their cat is called Purdey.

We get mixed feedback about the name. People, but men especially, of a certain age (mostly 60+) get excited as they think about Jo Lumley and The Avengers. Shakespeare aficionados love it. Many people think it's quite a posh name (we're a bit posh so my daughter seems to suit it). Very few know it's literary background and I had some guy rant at me about newfangled made up baby names. I didn't tell him it's about 400 years old... So you can't win really!

HTH.

Butternutsqoosh · 09/01/2019 13:05

Love it but my dog is called Purdey! Like the gun make (she's a gun dog) and I've met a few dogs called the same, however if you live in an area where there are no shoots, not so much a problem!

GrandmaJane · 09/01/2019 13:16

Urgh! You might as well call the child Pudsey. Purdey wasn’t a cool name or character even at the time. Emma Peel was cool.
Perdita is another matter entirely. Give the child a proper name, then mince according to your whim. She can revert to her proper name later.

Canshopwillshop · 09/01/2019 13:17

I think it’s great Smile

ReginaPhalange89 · 09/01/2019 13:18

I don't like it, sorry.
My first thought was 101 Dalmatians! Haha. I think the female dog might have been called Purdey? Or something very similar. That's all I can think about

Choccywoccyhooha · 09/01/2019 13:20

It's a lovely name, but Perdita is truly beautiful and will give her more options as she grows.

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