Roberta (nn Bertie)

[periwinkle86]

DP and I have been discussing ways of incorporating his family into our DD’s name when she’s born (both middle and surname will come from my side). His late grandfather was Robert and we were initially discussing Roberta as a second middle name, but are now actually quite liking it as a possible first name.

She would most likely go by Bertie day-to-day. We had been looking for a traditional name that’s heard of but not overly used and has cute nicknames. DP likes the family connection and I really like the connection to The Railway Children.

I know it’s not a “pretty” name as such (though I’m not a fan of anything too frilly anyway) but I do think the cute nickname options soften it a bit.

Am I going mad and this is pregnancy hormones talking?! What do people think of the name?

Have you considered Bertha?

No, seriously. Bertie is an awful name for a boy or girl imo but especially for a girl. Roberta is not an attractive name either. I'd stick to using it as a middle name personally.

I wouldn’t. Bertie is awful. Have you seen the Bertha thread?

Yeah it's not a nice name really is it, to be just a feminisation of a bloke. Robbie could be another nick name. Not really a fan.

Hmmm now I see Bertie written down (we had just been discussing it before, I hadn’t written it anywhere) I see what you mean - I’m less keen. Is it any better with Bobbi for short? Though DP is less keen on this…

Makes me think of The Railway Children (Bobbie) - I like it!

Have you considered Bertha?

I like Roberta. It also makes me think of the character from the Railway Children, although she was Bobbie rather than Bertie. It's definitely more of strong name than a frilly one, but I'm a bit bored of frilly names these days. If you love it, go for it. Vintage nicknames are popular these days, I think a female Bertie wouldn't be that out of place.

Bobbi is just as bad.

I really like it!

@HoldingTheDoor

Current thread...

Thoughts on Bertha www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/4335072-Thoughts-on-Bertha

That's why I said Have you considered Bertha. I was just on that thread.

Will she have your surname?

I like it, which is why that’s what I called my (Male) dog

I think Roberta is ok, Bertie is not great, and both scream out 'we really wanted a boy'.
Without knowing any of the other names in your DH's family it also seems a bit of a stretch - eg why wouldn't you use his mother or grandmother's name?
Also I see it as dated rather than traditional.
But it is quite unusual and it's the kind of name a child could grown into.

@ShingleBeach yes, she will - and her middle name will be from my family as well.

I like Roberta and like Bobbie, Bertie, Robbie, betty as nn‘s.

oh well, I take it all back, maybe the ''urr'' sound is coming back.

I said to the poster considering Bertha that i couldn't think of a single other name with that 'urr'' sound in it.

Martha is quite like Bertha but the vowel is arr instead of urrr and that makes it so much better.

I found Rob too masculine for a girl and ''Bertie'' is just too ugly. It does have a Bertie Wooster unisex vibe to it but god it's ugly.

Always loved Roberta - think it’s a strong traditional girl’s name. Would shorten to Bobbie, as others have said. Not sure about Bertie - but then it wouldn’t truly reflect the namesake if you didn’t use Bertie, so in that case think I would go for something else!

If you like Roberta then call her that.

Why shorten it to a completely different name at all?

It's one of those 'trying to be something you're not' names.

I really like it, but with Bobbie for a nickname, not Bertie.

I like Roberta. Good, strong name, not twee. The Railway Children connection is a good one.

Roberta isnt very nice. Bertie for a girl. awful.

I know a Roberta called Bert. Suits her very well. Both names.

I like it, and also like the Railway Children connection.

@HoldingTheDoor oops I’d seen the thread but had forgotten that Bertie was one of the nn options listed there. Apologies for doubling up!