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Baby names

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

Dorothy Iris?

33 replies

Sabato · 28/05/2019 07:17

Do these work together as a first and middle name?

We’re dead set on Dorothy as a first name and I like Iris because it’s pretty and has a strong family connection. But I don’t know if Iris works with it as a middle name. What do others think?

OP posts:
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PunkRockHippy · 28/05/2019 07:20

Think it sounds lovely, is Iris a family name?

PunkRockHippy · 28/05/2019 07:20

Sorry you said that Blush

HelloooCanYouHearMe · 28/05/2019 07:23

Sounds nice

Friolero · 28/05/2019 07:24

Dorothy Iris sounds lovely, the names work really well together.

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 28/05/2019 07:24

Like it

Blossom28 · 28/05/2019 07:26

Both lovely names, go for it! I wanted to call my daughter Dorothy Iris, but mil laughed and ruined it for us. Really regret not naming her it now :(

Clubbercised · 28/05/2019 07:29

I really like it!

LadyCurd · 28/05/2019 07:30

Best names ever coz one of my daughters has them. Though iris Dorothy. We wanted Doris but felt was a bit cruel so this was alternative! We sometimes use Doris as a nickname!

Sabato · 28/05/2019 07:32

Thanks so much everyone! I feel reassured Grin

Blossom28 that’s so awful Shock can’t believe she was so rude!

OP posts:
PotatoCity · 28/05/2019 07:34

It flows beautifully. Personally I prefer Iris to Dorothy but it is a lovely name, and Dotty is very sweet for whilst she’s young

Fozzleyplum · 28/05/2019 07:34

Love it, as long as the surname doesn't begin with M, K, N, S, V or X.

ArgyMargy · 28/05/2019 07:37

@Blossom28 I suspect your mil laughed because for her/my generation, Dorothy and Iris would both be associated with someone very old.

Blossom28 · 28/05/2019 07:41

She didn’t mean to be rude, and apologised afterwards but it just ruined it for us unfortunately. Lesson is just go for it if you like it and tell everyone afterwards!

Nameusernameuser · 28/05/2019 07:42

I know a Dorothy who goes by Dolly. Dolly iris is lovely!

Teddybearhunter · 28/05/2019 07:48

I love the name Dorothy
Dorothy Iris flows well but as long as your surname doesn’t begin with C / K / M / G / S / E / V

TinselTimes · 28/05/2019 07:50

I find it a bit hard to say together - the ee sound followed straight by the eye sound. But you won’t often say them both together, so not sure that’s a big issue.
They’re both nice names, easy to spell etc.

Footle · 28/05/2019 08:15

I would particularly avoid it if your surname begins with a Y.

Astronica · 28/05/2019 08:27

I think it's a lovely combination.

Peachbubble · 28/05/2019 08:59

I like them both

YouBumder · 28/05/2019 09:09

Both very old fashioned, I guess that’s what you’re going for though. They go together fine. The R is a bit repetitive but no one’s really going to regularly call her Dorothy Iris on a regular basis are they

Sabato · 28/05/2019 09:13

The R is a bit repetitive but no one’s really going to regularly call her Dorothy Iris on a regular basis are they

This is what I was concerned about, but you’re right - she won’t get called by both together except very rarely.

Luckily surname doesn’t start with any of the awkward letters!

Lesson is just go for it if you like it and tell everyone afterwards!

This is wise advice! Haven’t shared with anyone in real life, so might just wait til it’s a done deal.

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thehappyegg · 28/05/2019 09:15

God not Dorothy. What a name!!!

Iris, however, is lovely. Not one I would choose, but lovely nonetheless.

Reachbackforthechair · 28/05/2019 09:17

Absolutely adore Dorothy! Not too keen on Iris personally but it definitely goes nicely with Dorothy

mydogisthebest · 28/05/2019 09:19

I really like it but be prepared she will be called Dot by just about everyone. My aunt is called Dorothy and she says she loves her name but absolutely hates being called Dot. She tells everyone but they still call her Dot. Only her husband calls her Dorothy

Hobbesmanc · 28/05/2019 16:33

My mums mother and grandma were Dorothys. She was little Dorothy to the end of her days bless. I love the sound of it although I'm biased and would have chosen it for a daughter. I like to think she would be a Dolly. But I move all those country maid sounding names- Peggy and Maggie and Betty, Kitty and Sissy and Meg.