Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Please be honest!

123 replies

Ihateironinganything · 04/05/2019 08:10

Hello,

Growing up I’ve had to deal with people’s preconceptions of me because of my name. Upon just hearing my name people just assume I’m a “chav”, which infuriates me. However when they meet me they are surprised to see that I don’t fit their mental description.

My name is a well-known French name, but unfortunately here it has negative connotations. My name has given me such grief in my life that I’ve even thought of changing it. But now as I’m older it’s just too much paperwork.

I’m pregnant now, and will do anything to avoid giving my child the same fate. I could select a typical classic name like Sarah/Jane etc. Though at the same time I don’t really like those names.

Please could you tell me if any of my shortlist are even a tiny bit “chavvy”?

And trust me I hate this whole concept of “chav” but I don’t know how else to phrase it.

My shortlist:

Florence
Jasmine
Harriet
Lara
Flora
Clara
Madeleine
Anabelle
Lola

Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Babyfoal · 04/05/2019 08:11

Nope. All ok there 😁

LilouBlue · 04/05/2019 08:12

Lola has been used by quite a few "chavs" that I know of (especially Lola Grace for some reason). Think you'd be fine with any of the others.

Shelbybear · 04/05/2019 08:12

Fed not chavy names. I like Lola best from your list.

IVEgottheDECAF · 04/05/2019 08:13

Possibly Lola

MarthasGinYard · 04/05/2019 08:13

Ooo how refreshing what a lovely list.

AndItStillSaidFourOfTwo · 04/05/2019 08:16

Are you in the UK? It's just I'm in a country where a certain well-known French name is regarded as the utter epitome of 'chav' (which I detest as a term and don't use).

All the names on your list are lovely apart from Lola and Lara - which aren't 'bad', just not keen on them - and I would spell 'Anabelle' Annabel (and not hugely keen on that one either, actually). Jasmine has a degree of the associations you don't like in the country I'm in, which is why I asked, but (I think) not in the UK. My favourites (in that order) are Clara, Flora and Florence, which I would say all have an impeccable MC pedigree, if that's what you're after.

DragonMamma · 04/05/2019 08:16

I agree with Lola

FuzzyLilac · 04/05/2019 08:17

Sorry all the Lolas I know are dogs!
I do mean canine Grin

I love all of the other names.

Clettercletterthatsbetter · 04/05/2019 08:18

I’d probably avoid Jasmine and Lola.

My favourites from your list are Harriet, Flora and Florence.

weebarra · 04/05/2019 08:19

I love them all, but would spell Annabelle like that.

Original poster
Ihateironinganything · 04/05/2019 08:20

@andatstillsaidfouroftwo

Yes I am in the UK. Where do you live?

OP posts:
TheTreeHearsYourSecret · 04/05/2019 08:21

Lola, because you say Lola, you hear she was a showgirl. Grin

Maybe Flora just because it is a spread and she'll get she spreads easily jokes (my mate was a Flora and got this but she was completely prim and proper so the joke went stale fast.)

Everything else is completely lovely. Madeleine was the one I had chosen if Ds1 had been a girl.

FenellaMaxwell · 04/05/2019 08:23

Lola
Lara
Jasmine
Annabelle

Aren’t as nice and classic as the others.

MondeoFan · 04/05/2019 08:26

Avoid Lola the rest are all lovely

huggybear · 04/05/2019 08:28

Is it Chanelle? Sorry.

Like all the names on your list though. 😊

DonkeyHohtay · 04/05/2019 08:31

I'd avoid Lola and Jasmine.

The rest of your list is great. Particularly like Harriet and Flora.

Original poster
Ihateironinganything · 04/05/2019 08:33

@huggybear

No not Chanelle!
I am of French descent and was named after my grandmother so it’s a legitimate name. But unfortunately seen as very downmarket in the UK.

Ok Lola and jasmine are off the list.

Any thoughts if I add Matilda/Talia/Lily on the short list?

OP posts:
Eustasiavye · 04/05/2019 08:34

Is avoid Lola but all the others for your criteria.

Pretry · 04/05/2019 08:41

Lola is also a transsexual in the kinks song.

I think Lily has become common and if often hyphenated. Talia and Matilda are not as graceful as your other names.

SophieDarbo · 04/05/2019 08:42

I've got two little girls,

Olivia Grace
Harper Brooke

My pooch is names Lola 😂

What is your name I'm curious what you class as chavvy?

RuthW · 04/05/2019 08:46

All lovely except Lola. I have a 22 year old Florence.

HeronLanyon · 04/05/2019 08:51

Lovely names and congrats.
Given your post, I would not use Lola or jasmine. Both really lovely names but as I read the list with your question in mind those jumped out a little (Lola more than jasmine) as names you should probably think twice about. Wouldn’t really be able to explain why !
Good luck.

HeronLanyon · 04/05/2019 08:52

Not talia for similar reason though pretty name.

Morgan12 · 04/05/2019 08:57

Will you not tell us your name? I can't think what it could be.

I'd avoid Lola because the song. Lily is nice but very popular. I think Harriet may be a bit 'chav'.

TheInvisibleMrsCrane · 04/05/2019 09:00

I’d remove Lola and definitely Talia from your list.

Swipe left for the next trending thread