Henrietta?

[Mum2B36]

I think DH and I have settled on Henrietta for a girls name. However, I am aware Henrietta is very much a marmite name and I hate to think people will be disliking the name behind our backs. My gran will probably tell me to my face 🙈.

Most likely we will shorten it to Hettie or Etta.

DH vetoed Emilia which was my favourite and I vetoed Darcie which was his favourite. We both liked Matilda but this has been recently “taken” by a close friend and it wouldn’t be appropriate to copy. We have discussed Otillie but think it might be one step too far for us.

What’s everyone’s thoughts? Do some people really hate Henrietta and think we should re-think?

DH says I shouldn’t care what other people think when we like the name but it’s such an important decision.

Thanks

I think it's lovely. I like Hetta as a short form, but Hettie and Etta are also sweet.

I really think you have to stop worrying about what other people think. For any name you come up with, some people will like it and some won't. Once people get to know her they it won't matter at all.

Prefer Harriet

I don't think other people's opinions really matter @Mum2B36 my sister named one of her girls a name I have always hated. Absolutely detested the name. But I love my niece and I love her name. It really suits her and I obviously never told my sister that I had previously hated it.
Call her what you love and don't worry about other people!

I like it! I only don’t like it when there is another sister with a variant of a well known man’s name - eg nigella and Henrietta and Georgina - because it makes me think the family wanted boys - but that’s niche!

I really like it

I only don’t like it when there is another sister with a variant of a well known man’s name

Funny this was the main reason we vetoed it for DD2 (as I really like Henrietta) - we already have an Alexandra and two names from that family felt a bit odd. Philippa got binned for the same reason

Love it x

Absolutely love it.

My favourite book as a child was Henrietta’s House if you need even more convincing!

It's not really my taste but perfectly fine as long as your surname isnt food...eg Henrietta Bun.

I actually like it but I wouldn’t use it at all. It’s a really marmite name and does unfortunately make me think chicken. I like nicknames like Etta far far far more.

Love this name! Love the NN Ettie

Friends sister called her daughter this- think everyone in the family wasn’t keen. But I guess like all names people become them.
Personally it’s probably my least favourite name, such a dated granny name, but that’s clearly my taste issue as I hate most of the traditional names that are coming back in fashion.

Harriet or Heidi are more feminine names. I agree with the pp Henrietta sounds very masculine like you were expecting a boy but changed the name last minute but adding onto a previous name.

Thanks everyone. We do really like the name. I hope I am brave enough and don’t settle for something else. I do think I would always regret not using Henrietta.

Then certainly use it. Even those who have reservations will like it once they associate it with your DD. And those who don't know her (and thus might still dislike the name) don't matter.

I love it, my baby dolly was called Henrietta when I was a kid!! I work in a nursery and I've never come across a Henrietta in over 10 years!!