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Original poster

Are these names too similar for sisters?

83 replies

Birdiboo · 30/08/2023 12:39

I have a little girl called Molly and am pregnant with my 2nd daughter.

My partner and I find it hard to agree on baby names but one that we both really love is Marlowe.

Is this too similar to Molly?

please try not to be too harsh in your responses as it has taken us a long time to agree on anything lol.

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Original poster
Birdiboo · 30/08/2023 13:41

@BoleynMemories13 thank you for responding. It definitely can be hard to determine the tone of a written message but your reply has cleared it up and evidently I have taken it the wrong way.

The same initials don’t bother me it’s more if they sounded similar that I was worried about but it does seem that some people think they are quite dissimilar I’m style. Thank you for giving your honest opinion!

OP posts:
FayCarew · 30/08/2023 13:42

They're fine @Birdiboo . I read about two sisters called Molly and Mary, which is effectively the same name, but other than that it's not really worth comment.

mn29 · 30/08/2023 13:44

I don't think they are similar at all - other than beginning with the same letter, obviously, but I don't think that's an issue as they're otherwise very different in sound and style.

Original poster
Birdiboo · 30/08/2023 13:45

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I’m not English so the Harlow/Marlow places don’t really mean anything to me.

I think I’m happy with my choice and appreciate all your replies ❤️

OP posts:
FayCarew · 30/08/2023 14:18

Birdiboo, they might not to you, but they will to a lot of people.

Marlow is a pretty town on the Thames in Buckinghamshire, and is fairly upmarket. Michelin-starred restaurants and pub, shops like Space NK and JojoMamanBebe boutiques in the main street etc.

Harlow is a new town in Essex built in the mid-20th century to take the overspill from London.

The names might be similar but the associations aren't.

Original poster
Birdiboo · 30/08/2023 14:29

@FayCarew I don’t really like Harlow as a name which is weird because it’s really only 1 letter different so I would definitely choose Marlowe over it

And as you say it does mean something to others and maybe my baby girl will love to England one day, who knows!

OP posts:
Original poster
Birdiboo · 30/08/2023 14:30

Move to England I mean**

OP posts:
Bethanbee · 30/08/2023 14:35

They are fine for siblings. Both nice names.

FayCarew · 30/08/2023 14:56

If you are not in the UK don't worry about it then. Marlowe is associated with Christopher Marlowe. Sienna Miller has a DD called Marlowe etc.

If I heard Marlow(e) I'd think town between Maidenhead and Henley.
A french friend finds the name Lorraine funny, but in the UK (older) people would probably say "Luton Airport?". You might not even make any connection with either.

Theoldwoman · 30/08/2023 15:33

Too similar.

Mirabai · 30/08/2023 15:38

I would do Molly and Martha personally - avoid the repetition of the L sound and also just a nicer name. I don’t like the fad of copying celeb’s kids names.

Harlow is awful - both the name and the town.

Vexxa · 30/08/2023 16:57

I agree with PP that Molly and Martha would be nice. I also like Molly and Margot. Personally I think Molly and Marlowe have too many repeated sounds, sorry OP.

Popetthetreehugger · 30/08/2023 17:07

Every good wish for your upcoming daughter , Marlowe is pretty , as is molly . But please don’t associate your child with Harlow . They will in all likelihood look up where their name is … don’t let them find Harlow !

felisha54 · 30/08/2023 17:08

Yes I think they're too similar.

Fiddlesticks24 · 30/08/2023 17:12

I think they are fine together (and Marlowe is much nicer than Harlow!)

CurlewKate · 30/08/2023 17:13

Marlo and Harlo have ambiguous pro citations, though.

pastaandpesto · 30/08/2023 17:23

I agree with PPs that Harlowe (although a nice name) is a very different kind of name to Molly. They don't really go together. But that's just my opinion.

I love Molly and Martha.

Also

Anna
Lucy
Kitty
Freya
Alice
Emily

FayCarew · 30/08/2023 19:33

@CurlewKate , what does have ambiguous pro citations mean?

continentallentil · 30/08/2023 20:17

Molly is lovely, but I think the combination is a bit twee - and you can’t stop her mates from calling her Marley.

If you like Lola as a nn maybe just go for that? Molly and Lola works much better I think.

CoffeeBean5 · 30/08/2023 20:40

I think Marlow, Marlie and Lola are too similar to Molly (pronunciation and spelling). Other M names like Martha and Melissa don't sound 'samey.' These aren't my favourite names but they're examples.

PollyPeep · 30/08/2023 20:45

Marlowe is lovely! I like the literary connection and the town is pretty. Molly and Marlowe are darling together.

cansu · 30/08/2023 21:04

Yes they do sound similar but also odd. Molly is a very standard name whereas Marlowe sounds like a last name. Sorry but it really does not sound like a girl's name.

Mummyof32023 · 31/08/2023 09:25

No its not but what about Marley? I know a little girl called that and it's unusual

thatsnotmywean · 31/08/2023 09:25

I know two dogs called Marlowe. I dont know any children with those names. They are both boy dogs. Just being honest.

Northernladdette · 31/08/2023 09:52

Never heard of Marlowe?
Someone I know has a Mylie and Myla, now that’s similar 😂