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Baby names

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

Vivien Lee or Nora Lee

44 replies

Moma1212 · 21/08/2021 03:13

Help! I love both names for my baby girl arriving soon. Both are family names. Vivien Lee or Nora Lee?

OP posts:
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MorriseysGladioli · 21/08/2021 03:14

Vivien Lee was a film star, I think.

hernameis · 21/08/2021 03:17

Vivian Lee sounds so glamorous, Nora Lee not so much. I'd pick Vivian every time

EmmaGrundyForPM · 21/08/2021 03:19

Vivian Leigh was a famous filmstar. I think it sounds weird.

alexdgr8 · 21/08/2021 03:20

vivienne.

alexdgr8 · 21/08/2021 03:21

vivienne looks more feminine.
vivien might get taken for a man, vivian.

MayContainNits · 21/08/2021 03:22

Are Vivien and Nora standalone names, or will the baby be known as Nora Lee Bloggs? Nora Lee is a bit country and western.

MayContainNits · 21/08/2021 03:23

Or is Lee the surname?

Moma1212 · 21/08/2021 03:23

I know about the Actress but Lee is my middle name and I want to use it. I just don’t think I’m 2031 ppl will instantly think of a movie in 1939?

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 21/08/2021 03:25

Vivienne Lee

MorriseysGladioli · 21/08/2021 03:26

Vivienne Lee does sound very glamorous.
I like it.

Moma1212 · 21/08/2021 03:27

Love this! Was just worried this spelling was too long? But I’m thinking now it’s the prettiest spelling

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 21/08/2021 03:28

It's not too long. It's the proper spelling.

Tisha0 · 21/08/2021 03:33

Gone with the wind is a classic movie - and Vivien Leigh was stunningly beautiful. If you aren’t worried about the constant mentions of the actress who had the same name, go for it!

Doomscrolling · 21/08/2021 03:48

@Moma1212

I know about the Actress but Lee is my middle name and I want to use it. I just don’t think I’m 2031 ppl will instantly think of a movie in 1939?
Of course they will. Like Clarke Gable, Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Charlie Chaplin etc.

But if you’re ok with that, fair enough.

Balonzette · 21/08/2021 04:08

Both names are lovely but I think the Lee ruins them. It does seem a bit ... Deep south America as a middle name ... When I say 'Nora Lee' I hear it in the voice of Cleatus from the Simpsons Grin whereas the two first names are classy and lovely. Can you choose another middle name to solve this? Like Vivian Elizabeth Lee, or Nora Iris Lee or something. Also, Vivian Leigh is VERY well known and people would definitely assume you were a megafan if you go for Vivian Lee, so a second middle would also prevent this.

Balonzette · 21/08/2021 04:10

Agree with pps that Vivienne is a far more beautiful spelling.

AuntieStella · 21/08/2021 07:06

I like Vivienne much more than Nora

But Vivien Leigh is such a famous movie star (Scarlett O'Hara) -one of the all time greats - that people will make the connection

cariadlet · 21/08/2021 07:16

Agree with pp that Vivien Lee is a bit of an odd combination because it sounds just like the film star.

But it's much much better than Nora which makes me think of a nit nurse (known as Nitty Noras when I was a kid).

TatianaBis · 21/08/2021 07:19

Vivien Leigh is one of the famous film stars of all time. Gone with the wind, Streetcar Named Desire. Both won her Oscars.

woodfort · 21/08/2021 07:24

Oh, if it’s just a middle then it doesn’t matter - unless you are planning on saying both names every time? Because as per pp I think Lee makes the names less beautiful. It makes me think of Peggy-Sue or that kind of name…
I think Vivienne is prettier.

minatrina · 21/08/2021 07:25

I actually know a Vivienne Lee in real life - perhaps I'm exposing myself as a philistine but I've never heard of the actress Vivian Leigh Blush and it's not something I've ever heard anyone mention in relation to the Vivienne Lee I know, and I've known her my whole life!

I'm not really much of a film person to be honest so perhaps that's why. But I vote you go for Vivienne, OP - I agree with a PP that Norah Lee is instantly said in an American Southern accent in my head.

IsolaPribby · 21/08/2021 07:30

Vivienne is a beautiful name. Lee, as a middle name, will get mentioned much less often. You probably won't be introducing her as Vivienne Lee all the time. And the association to the actress is not a negative one, so if 'people' do make the connection, it doesn't really matter.
So a long winded way of saying go for it! Smile

whatthejiggeries · 21/08/2021 07:33

Vivienne Leigh is massively famous. To me this is like calling a child James Dean or Robert Redford - I just wouldn't do it

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 21/08/2021 07:34

Vivienne / Vivien all day long.
À gorgeous name.

RuthW · 21/08/2021 07:36

I prefer Norah Lee. Not keen on Vivienne.