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Opinions on Brontë

93 replies

Nearlywed2038 · 30/04/2023 22:45

Hello mumsnet!!

Currently expecting my first daughter, after 2 boys (Ralph and Henry).

Both my fiancé and I absolutely love literature and like the name Bronte, as a middle name for baby girl but, is it tacky?? 🙈

I do really love the name and it pays a nice homage to one of my favourite writers, but I can’t help but feel it’s a dog name..

Opinions/first names to go with it, thanks everyone :)

OP posts:
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TulipTuesday · 30/04/2023 22:45

My favourite girls’ name! It’s gorgeous

Puppyseahorse · 30/04/2023 22:46

Super cute

SpringNotSprung · 30/04/2023 22:47

Yes, sorry but it's very tacky. If you want to pay homage to the Brontes surely there's plenty of scope from the books?

SpringNotSprung · 30/04/2023 22:48

I missed it was to be a middle name. Still not keen.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/04/2023 22:48

The obvious first names are, well, Charlotte, Maria, Emily and Elizabeth!

My only caution is that names with special characters are a pain and lead to administrative issues.

Nearlywed2038 · 30/04/2023 22:51

SpringNotSprung · 30/04/2023 22:48

I missed it was to be a middle name. Still not keen.

I also quite like the name Georgina, which was the name of a character from Jane Eyre, I’m not sure if this name fits with the vibe of my boys names though.

OP posts:
EmiliaRuusuvuori · 30/04/2023 22:51

I really like it, it makes me think of Andie McDowell's character in the film Green Card.

Nearlywed2038 · 30/04/2023 22:51

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/04/2023 22:48

The obvious first names are, well, Charlotte, Maria, Emily and Elizabeth!

My only caution is that names with special characters are a pain and lead to administrative issues.

I would just spell it as Bronte without the special character don’t worry!

No administrative issues around here 😂

OP posts:
Wishona · 30/04/2023 22:52

No it’s not tacky.
I like it. I’d go with a classic first name though as it is a bit more unusual.
Maybe Emmeline, Lydia, Eloise, Sylvia…I think 3 syllables.

fairycupcakes · 30/04/2023 22:55

I think Brontë is lovely!

Catherine Brontë
Elizabeth Brontë
Harriet Brontë
Eleanor Brontë
Daniella Brontë
Natalia Brontë
Philippa Brontë
Mara Brontë
Jasmine Brontë
Lilian Brontë

TheLifeboat · 30/04/2023 22:58

I like Brontë. Patrick Prunty, the father of the Brontë geniuses, adopted this name because having lifted himself out of County Down, as a Catholic, by converting to Anglicanism and getting himself all the way to Oxford University on what might call a Clerical Scholarship, he had to hide his origins. So he went for a German umlaut. Go for it.

UsingChangeofName · 30/04/2023 23:13

Georgina is FAR better than landing her with a surname for a middle name, although if your criteria is to have a link with the Bronte sisters, then why not go for Charlotte, Emily, or Anne ?

Offthexmaslist · 30/04/2023 23:18

How about the slightly more unusual Georgiana (Darcy's little sister )

Talipesmum · 30/04/2023 23:19

I think if it’s a middle name a lot of people would assume it’s part of a double barrelled surname.

Wrongsideofpennines · 30/04/2023 23:23

I love it. Wouldn't work with our surname otherwise I would totally have it on my list. I think it would suit a middle spot perfectly.

DramaAlpaca · 30/04/2023 23:27

I'm sorry, I think it's awful.

Georgina is much nicer, and definitely goes with OP's boys' names.

RightOnTheEdge · 30/04/2023 23:30

I like it OP.

BonjourCrisette · 30/04/2023 23:50

It's really awful. And yes, tacky. Sorry. Georgina is really lovely, though.

FangedFrisbee · 30/04/2023 23:52

I'd go with as a first name!

MindIfISlytherin · 30/04/2023 23:53

I like it as long as the first name isn't Charlotte or Emily!

PrettyMaybug · 30/04/2023 23:55

All I am thinking of is 'Married at first sight Australia,' and the Stepford Wife in it who is called Bronte. 😮

Whiteroomjoy · 30/04/2023 23:58

The Brontë family was pretty doomed, brilliant stars that burnt brightly and then snuffed out far too young. Mrs died young, then all 5 sisters and 1 brother from relentless March of TB. They led an often pretty miserable existence in horrific boarding schools, governess positions and general dogs bodies of the parish acting to replace the missing parsons wife.

no way would I name a child after such doom and gloom - the whole family was wiped out in a few short years

sorry 🫤

Junebughustle · 01/05/2023 00:01

It's tacky. Some nice suggestions in the thread though!

MedievalMadness · 01/05/2023 00:15

Brontë - saurus. I’m not crazy about it as a first name. I’m a big fan of the Brontes’ books but as a name it sounds clunky imo. I love your DS’s names and Imo Georgina complements them nicely. Also love:
Ralph, Henry and Francesca
Ralph, Henry and Clara
Ralph, Henry and Anna
Ralph, Henry and Florence/Flora
Ralph, Henry and Matilda

Kokeshi123 · 01/05/2023 03:07
(Victoria Wood as tour guide around the Bronte's house)

"Now, here's a portrait of Charlotte Bronte here, and she may look like a rather gloomy looking individual, but you must remember that these days, she would have had a perm or blusher, or I suppose even drugs might have helped her maintain a more cheerful attitude. In fact, she probably wouldn't be dead if she were alive today..."

OP, to your kid's classmates, Bronte is going to suggest brontesaurus, not literary inspiration. I really wouldn't. Use one of the sibling's first names instead (though perhaps give Branwell a miss!)

Victoria Wood - Haworth Parsonage Guide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkRlM1c5-NQ

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