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?

I like Roberta but like others prefer Bobbie as a NN. It's very Scottish but Robina is another feminine form of Robert, or Robin of course.

I quite like Roberta/Bobbie (don't know how many times I've watched the film version of The Railway Children. Many!).

Don't like Bertie at all though.

Bertie is a boys name

I have one. I wouldn't, she's a force of nature

Roberta nn Bobbie is fine.

I wouldn’t pay much attention to MN opinions though.

Yes, you are going mad and perhaps pregnancy hormones are getting in the way of objectivity here. What is your husband's excuse?

Roberta NN anything is a terrible idea. Bertie and Bobbi/e are dire.

Going against the grain here but I love Bertie as a nn - but then I like Bobby too.

A great aunt had Bertie as a nn.

Bertie is awful, Bobbie is a bit better. Robin is dated. Kids are teased and bullied for so many things these days, if your worry is whether other people will like it … why add to the risk it happens to her? Your husband must have some female relatives you can look to for inspiration? Otherwise just give her two middle names and pick something that isn’t linked to either side but you both like.

What about Bo/ Beau, Ro/Row or Bea/Bee Maybe not as first names but to me they are more lovely middle names that acknowledge family names, without actually giving them a horrible name

I know one Roberta in her 30s, shortened to Bobbi. I don’t think she’s ever known as Roberta. Maybe a middle name would stop it being diluted down to always being just Bobbi (etc)?

However, Berti (without the ‘e’) would maybe be a more feminine shortening if that’s the way you’d like to go?

Roberta is my middle name but I use it as my first name for work, but always Roberta no nicknames. It's a family name I am the last of a line of 6 amazing women.

@Runforwine love your name and your username 😊

@PutYourBackIntoit thank you although if I'm honest now a days, it's more a case of just wine!

Bibi or Bobby would be a sweet diminutive to Roberta.
My Italian friend Roberta goes by Robby.

Roberta is okay. It's a bit unfashionable (like Edwina, Wilhelmina etc) so might be safer as a middle name but there's nothing wrong with it as such. Bibi or Robin are pretty nn's and Bobbi is okay. Not keen on Bertie - makes me think of "Dirty Bertie", perhaps cute on a little boy but not so much on a girl imo.

I have a very elegant Aunt Roberta (whose brother is called Robert - don’t ask ) and she goes by the name Bo.

@DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat

I have a very elegant Aunt Roberta (whose brother is called Robert - don’t ask ) and she goes by the name Bo.

What unbelievably unimaginative parents.

There was someone on here called Olivia whose brother is Oliver.

I'm not a fan of Roberta/ the nicknames suggested on the the thread. To me Roberta sounds like it belongs to a woman 60 plus.

I think it’s brilliant.

Quite like it with nn Bobbie

My Mum is Roberta, names fir an uncle that died in the war

nn was Bobby when she was younger and when she became an auntie and her nephew/niece were young and couldn't pronounce it

Could also have Roby as a nn

I like the Railway Children connection too

I really like Roberta and Bertie. Bertha is awful and makes me think of the madwoman in the attic in Jane Eyre.

I know a Roberta who gets called Bobbie as a nn.
I like both names

Neither Roberta nor Bobbie are overly feminine but I can't get my head around Bertie as a girls name (likely not helped by the fact that the only Bertie I have ever known is a man).

I am not keen on Bertha or Martha

I know a 3 year old Bertie. She is Alberta and plan had apparently been to use Alba as a nickname, but (in the way that nicknames can just develop ) she became Bertie. She is very sweet and it somehow really suits her, and i no longer think of her as having a boy's name, She does have options when she is older if she prefers, including full name, Alba or her middle name (which is a top 20 name deliberately chosen so she could use it if she preferred a less unusual name).

I also know a 13 year old Freddie (Frederica). Again, it is now just her name (rather than a boy's name) and she really likes it.

I really like it! Bobby/Bertie is cute for a child and Roberta is elegant and professional for any future career choices. Plus you have The Railway Children reference- I think there was a Roberta in the Mallory Towers books too?