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Original poster

Marley for a girl? Opinions please!

46 replies

frsttimemama · 19/08/2019 15:10

Hello,

We are expecting baby no.1 on 3rd October 2019 and we decided to keep the gender a surprise.

We have always known exactly what we would name a baby boy but, have struggled so much with girl names.

I came across the name Marley for a little girl on someone's instagram post and immediately loved it. I thought my fiancé would poopoo the idea straight away as, he hasn't been a fan of the unusual girly names I have suggested in the past but, he also loved it!

I told my Mum, Dad and sister and they immediately referenced the dog from the film Marley and Me, which disheartened me until I mentioned it to my friends who all loved it and said no one would make the comparison to the dog so, I felt a lot better about it. But then, we told MIL and her partner and she said no way and referenced the blooming dog again.

My fiancé and I talked about it and decided that we liked it and so, stuff what everyone else thought but... queue the next hurdle.

We realised that if we were to have a girl now and name her Marley... then in the future had a little boy and wanted to name him Bobby, our children would be called Bobby & Marley. At which point everyone we have spoken to has insisted we couldn't do that to the poor children without people shouting 'No Woman No Cry' at them.

Looking for some opinions please! Are we reading too much into it? We may never be blessed with any more children and so, this baby's name will be the only one that matters (It took us 6 years and a mc to conceive this rainbow baby), we may also have two boys or two girls and so again, it wouldn't be an issue.

Do you think people would make the reference if they were introduced as Marley and Bobby?

I didn't realise naming your baby would be so hard! I thought that would always been the fun part. It's true they say you don't realise how many people you dislike until you try and name your baby!

Thank you in advance! xx

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Caselgarcia · 19/08/2019 15:14

I wouldn't saddle them with those two names. They would not thank you for it as they grow up. I suspect Marley may get called Bob as a childish nickname.

milienhaus · 19/08/2019 15:15

I know a lovely baby Marley so I would say go for it, but you realistically probably can’t call her brother Bobby.

Would you consider Bobbie (Roberta) for a girl?

statetrooperstacey · 19/08/2019 15:17

It’s a dogs name now sorry! I know about 20 dogs called Marley. And also no to Bobby and Marley 😂😂😂 I’m really sorry. Back to the drawing board op.

AllyBamma · 19/08/2019 15:18

I love the name Marley for a girl, close friends of my mine have a girl called Marley so to be honest that’s what I think of when I hear the name. I think you’ll find over the course of time, people will forget the movie and you won’t be able to imagine your daughter being called anything else.

However Bobby and Marley together does sound a bit odd, I think in that case most people would think you’ve named them both after bob Marley.

Shadow1234 · 19/08/2019 15:35

I really like the name Marley (as I also prefer more unusual names to traditional), but my first thought was the film about the dog, but I think as time goes by, the film will be less relevant and probably won't be referenced as much as your child gets older.

Not sure Marley and Bobby would be such a good pairing though.

If you decide not to go with Marley, what about Harley or Marnie instead?

Original poster
frsttimemama · 19/08/2019 15:48

Thank you for your feedback everyone!

I think it may be one or the other and we will have to decide when the time comes what feels right!

Does anyone have any other similar name suggestions for a baby girl that I can take back to the drawing board, please?!

Thank you Smile xx

OP posts:
Colourfulest · 19/08/2019 15:51

I love it. It was on my short list that I posted on here and I got loads of negative comments! The only thing that stopped me though was the fact I don't like Marl/Marls as a nn and I'd be too worried of that happening. The negative comments didn't bother me!

Everyone bangs on about it being a dogs name but people call their dogs human names all the time anyway. Like Poppy and Luna.

Original poster
frsttimemama · 19/08/2019 16:06

@Colourfulest Thank you for your reply!

I said the same thing as, my name is Holly and I know at least 5 people with dogs called Holly!

I think it's still an option. We are praying for a boy just for ease with the name but, would love to have either boy or girl so, fingers crossed a name pops into our head after the baby pops out! (wishful thinking lol) xx

OP posts:
AverageMummy · 19/08/2019 16:30

Don’t like Marley at all it sounds made up.
I wouldn’t think most would make the Bob Marley connection though and most their friends won’t know their siblings names let alone be familiar with Bob Marley

mumbunforever · 19/08/2019 16:32

My little girl was nearly Marley I love it!!!

Ariela · 19/08/2019 16:34

Marlene or Marnie are better than a dog's name when you just know there will be sequel movies forevermore.

ButterflyOne1 · 19/08/2019 16:35

I love the name Marley - definitely go for it. I'm not so keen on Bobby but that's my personal opinion.

With regards to Bobby and Marley together, it's fine. They are siblings, not a couple!!!

whattodowith · 19/08/2019 16:39

Bobby and Marley would be terrible. I dislike this name. A Mother from my DC’s school who is very fond of shouting incessantly at her DC has a Marley and a Harley Confused.

FamilyOfAliens · 19/08/2019 16:43

Would Bobby be his full name of would you give him the option of a full name in case he turns out not to be a cutesy type?

Hoppinggreen · 19/08/2019 16:47

I know lots of dogs called Marley and one human boy
I also know a few dogs called Bobby
I’m not saying dont do it ( my son is named after my first dog) but be aware

Atlasta · 19/08/2019 16:48

Not my personal taste but if you like Marley what about names such as Harley?

Abstractedobstructed · 19/08/2019 16:50

The female Marley I know is Marleigh which changes it somehow....

Original poster
frsttimemama · 19/08/2019 17:03

@FamilyOfAliens Neither me or my OH like Robert but, I feel it would be appropriate to give him the choice of using a more 'grown up name' if he chooses when he is older! We would be naming him after my Grandad, who's name is Robert, after all!

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 19/08/2019 17:04

There's a big difference between using a human name which some people also give their dogs and using a dogs name. Would you call your son Rover or Spotty or Bouncer? Then don't call your daughter Marley.

Original poster
frsttimemama · 19/08/2019 17:08

Appreciate all of the responses (even the sassy ones Wink! Giving me a lot of food for thought.

We do have a few girl names which we loosely agree on but, neither of us are particularly big fans;

Daisy
Sophia (OH likes this one best but, I feel it is overused!)
Brooke
Myla
Frankie (But not Francesca!)

Any thoughts on these?

xx

OP posts:
pooopypants · 19/08/2019 17:08

Reminds me of the dog

DisgruntledGuineaPig · 19/08/2019 17:09

I think Marlene/Marlena would work well with Marley as a nickname.

Is it the Mar start or the Ley ending you like?!

Because Marnie also works, or what about Natalie, Molly or Romilley?

CassianAndor · 19/08/2019 17:09

There was a girl called Marley in DD's class for a while, never thought of the dog or that it was a boys' name.

Go for it!

NewMum54321 · 19/08/2019 17:11

If you like the name Marley then go for it (your family aren't going to think about the dog every time they see your DD, they'll soon forget). You may never have a son, or you may completely change your mind on the name Bobby when you do. So don't rule out Marley on a lot of what ifs.

I like the name Marley for a girl 😀

riotlady · 19/08/2019 17:18

It makes me think of the dog, sorry. What about Marlow(e)?

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