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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alice v Tabitha

53 replies

fluffyblankets · 21/05/2019 20:19

Hi swistle-
we have the two finalists for our baby girl (who, by the way, kind of desperately needs a name...!!)
Which do you prefer:

Alice
Tabitha (Tabby)

and why?
thank you!

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avocadochocolate · 21/05/2019 21:34

Alice. Tabitha makes me think of cats

Quintella · 21/05/2019 21:43

Tabitha.

Alice is so prim and proper.

WLmum · 21/05/2019 21:56

I'm biased as I have a Tabitha. It's a fab name, I love it. When she was born mil did say 'what like a cat?!' But I didn't care because it's a great name. And she didn't like dd2s name either.
For me it's nicely unusual but people still get it. I mostly get really positive comments about it.
The cat thing I find a bit weird as so many animals are called human names - I know plenty of human and dog bella's/Lilly's/fred/Bobby for example, I know cats called James and Brian.

DramaAlpaca · 22/05/2019 00:44

Alice by a million miles.

Tabitha is for cats. I used to have a cat called Tabitha, so that influences my thinking. I don't think it sounds right on a human any more (sorry to anyone who has one)

diddlediddle · 22/05/2019 01:50

What do YOU like better OP? Don't worry about what everyone else thinks. Some people will say Tabitha is a cats name, some people will think Alice is dull. If you prefer Tabitha then go for it

Tavannach · 22/05/2019 01:54

Tabitha

Whatareyoutalkingabout · 22/05/2019 03:16

Tabitha! Use Alice as a mn

Fulltimemummy85 · 22/05/2019 06:18

Alice, is by far nicer and classic. There won't be loads in her class. I have only ever met 1 Alice x

stellarfox · 22/05/2019 06:31

Both are gorgeous! I previously wasn’t a fan of Tabitha for the cat reason but the more I’ve heard it I really like it!

AnotherRubberDuck · 22/05/2019 08:06

People will have weird associations. I asked about Millie and got told it was a dog's name Hmm it's still well in the running.
Tabitha was in the Bible way before it was a well known cat name so it is a proper human name! I think it's lovely. Not keen on Tabby as a nickname though.
Alice is also a beautiful, classic name, so understand your dilemma! Can you wait until DD is here and see which suits her best?

Katnisnevergreen · 22/05/2019 08:21

I have a Tabitha so am a fair bit biased but I love it. It means graceful
I never understand the ‘it’s a cat name’ I think people are just a bit dim and can’t see past tabby, which is a cat COLOUR not a name.
Alice to me is a beige name...nothing wrong with it but nothing that right with it either

MooBaaLaLaLa · 22/05/2019 08:29

Tabitha is much nicer in my opinion.

Alice makes me think of Lice.

RaffertyFair · 22/05/2019 08:37

People will have weird associations

Youre not wrong there, AnotherRubberDuck 20 mins after you posted that, we have Alice makes me think of Lice HmmGrin

chocolateshortcake · 22/05/2019 08:39

I have an Alice and a Tabitha. Tabitha is the cat.

AlyssasBackRolls · 22/05/2019 08:42

Tabitha x

mrsm43s · 22/05/2019 10:03

Alice ranks 17th most popular girls name, and Tabitha ranks 212th, so statistically more people are going to like Alice than Tabitha.

But do you like it? Do you want a safe ubiquitous name like Alice, or something that stands out a little more like Tabitha?

outsho · 22/05/2019 12:27

Alice is a beautiful timeless classic so definitely that. Tabitha is very feline.

Ceramique · 22/05/2019 12:34

I'm an Alice, hated it growing up (Alice in Wonderland, a lice, Who the fuck is Alice, Alice ça glisse). I still find it pretty boring and would have much preferred Tabitha (Tabby or Tabz), but I do identify as a cat (what do you mean trans cats aren't a thing?)

TheRedBarrows · 22/05/2019 12:40

Tabitha.
Fantastic name.
If I had had a girl Tabitha would have been high up my list.
With Nancy.

Alice is fine, nice. But bland.

mummyhaschangedhername · 22/05/2019 13:00

Alice. I know a sex worker called Tabitha 😂 true story.

I love traditional names though, Alice was on my girls name list.

ThanksItHasPockets · 22/05/2019 13:38

I love Tabitha but I know two adult Tabithas who both really hate their name and I feel I have to defer to their lived experience...

Wafflingaboutnames · 22/05/2019 13:59

I was in this situation... do a pros and cons list
Then spend a hour or so taking to her as Alice and then as Tabitha. That worked a treat for me. One name just seemed to sounds better out loud.
(Personally i’d go for Alice by a mile!)

flumpybear · 22/05/2019 16:12

Quick count up, Tabitha is winning so far for people saying 1 over the other

As you were .... Grin

desparate4sleep · 22/05/2019 16:16

I've met so many Alice's at baby groups this year. I would go for Tabitha it's lovely

SecretWitch · 22/05/2019 16:19

Tabitha May or may not be name. I may or may not be a cat.

Can conform Tabitha is a great name.

Tabitha Alice would be lovely.