Heather, Hazel, Iris, Mirren

[mistermagpie]

Baby is due in five weeks, we're pretty set on a boys name but girls we can't pin down.

I was down to Hazel and Iris at one point but the other two have since come into play...

Thoughts? Are they all awful? Which is the best? We're in Scotland if that's in any way relevant and my two sons have very Scottish names.

Agree with poster above. If you have a shortlist why not wait until she arrives and see what suits her most. We did this and after a couple of days with our son knew exactly what name fitted him best.

Hmm a mixed bag then!! Mirren is a traditional scottish name, so nobody would really bat an eyelid here or think of Helen Mirren either I don't think. It's probably my least favourite of the four though, DH likes it.

People say Iris is common but there were on 37 born in the whole of Scotland last year, so it must depend where you live. I do know one but she's about five.

Hazel is my favourite but her brother is Hamish and I worry about repeating the 'Hay' sound....

Heather is quite common for 30-50 year olds where I live (I know about 6-7) but rare for a baby.

I really don't like Heather and Hazel, they seem really ploddy and ugly to me, as well as out of date.

Mirren is ok!

Iris is by far the best. How about Inga?

Also, Hazel seems to be having a 'moment' - I've seen it creep in to posts on here in the last year. I have a suspicion that it might turn out to be a mini-Isla and get quite popular. I would put a tenner on the fact that if you were posting a couple of years ago OP, you wouldn't have even thought of Hazel.

Love Hazel and Iris.

Or Fiona?

Not many babies/children are called Fiona now

They’re all beautiful - you have chosen some lovely names!

My favourite is Mirren, then probably Hazel.

Iris, fir me. I really dislike Heather and Hazel.

Mirren I had not heard of but it is growing on me.

Heather and Iris are the best options - both lovely. Heather does sound fresh for a baby.

Hazel is nice but I think it's too close to Hamish. Plus as pps have said it is having a bit of a moment and is not as timeless as the others maybe.

Mirren is perfectly nice but if it's your least fave I think definitely pick Iris or Heather.

Heather is a beautiful name ❤️

See, interesting that Hazel is 'having a moment' because there were hardly any born in Scotland last year - less than 20. It's a name I loved for years because my primary school teacher was called Hazel! But it is similar to Hamish and that irritates me a bit.

I think I'm leaning towards Iris but Heather ticks a lot of boxes (two syllables, no obvious shortening, easy to say and spell, not too common, Scottish and goes nicely with our surname)

Love Mirren.

What about Eilidh? My favourite girls name.

I love Mirren!

From your list I would choose Mirren.

What about Merryn? (I know it's not a scottish name, but believe it means 'joy' - which is quite nice)

Hazel or iris 😍 don’t like Mirren

My favourite is Heather .... although heather and hazel were popular when I was a child and I knew a few. Certainly not popular now. I think Hazel is quite boring compared to a strong Scottish boys name like Hamish. I like Mairi, Fenella, Isobel, Kirsten..... anyway good luck!

I actually love any of these. I particularly like the name Heather though the only 2 I've ever met really were quite unpleasant and jokes about "the Heather's effect" went round about one of them.
If I were to pick the one I thought the prettiest it would be Heather but if I were to pick one to give my own child I would probably pick Mirren. I good Scottish name that's not too popular and no associations other than a loose one to an incredible actress which wouldn't be a bad thing.

Heather is beautiful.

I don't like Iris much, and it has two pronunciations Ee ris or Eye ris.

Mirren and Iris. Mirren is beautiful.

I like Iris
and Ivy

Heather is shortened to Hev

Heather is beautiful. I definitely wouldn't shorten it to Hev

Names don't need to be shortened!

Heather wouldn't be shortened to Hev round here I don't think (I appreciate it might be in other accents), I do know quite a few adult Heathers and they are all just Heather or occasionally 'H'.

I've never heard Iris pronounced 'ee-ris' either so that doesn't bother me.

Eilidh is lovely but we have one in the family so can't use it!

Mirren seems to be a bit marmite and that's how I feel too, can't decide if I love or hate it!

With a brother named Hamish I would cross Hazel off.

I think I like Heather best out of your other choices. I only know lovely Heathers. Also the heather in my garden is beautiful at this time of year.

I'd swing to no on Mirren (though love Merryn/Meryn).

How about Morvern, Flora, Ailsa, Jean, Ishbel, Mairi?