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Original poster

What about Lavinia!

36 replies

jaijai23 · 27/11/2023 22:35

I’ve noticed the trend for most female babies born in 2023 is to end with an ‘a’ which I love but there are so many Mia’s, Emilia’s, Maya’s around. I think I adore Lavinia (from Downtown Abbey etc.) but I don’t actually know any babies with that name. What do you think - adorable or outdated!

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TheHawkisHowling · 29/11/2023 04:12

CavalierApproach · 28/11/2023 23:31

In itself it’s a nice name but it does have some not-so-great associations.

As well as the ones pps have mentioned there’s Lavinia the head mean girl in A Little Princess, although I guess that’s now obscure. I mainly remember her because Frances Hodgson Burnett uses ‘ejaculated’ as a dialogue tag, and ‘Lavinia ejaculated’ is so awkward that it’s lodged in my memory Grin

That was the first thing that came to my mind. Lavinia was such a little snot in that!

Aliceinnorthernland · 29/11/2023 05:00

I like it. I also like Vinny as a nn.

friendsfiend · 29/11/2023 05:52

I know a Lovinia which I much prefer and removes the Lav issue.

Notimefor · 29/11/2023 05:57

my name is Lavinia, always called Vin, and Vinnie. I think it has always helped me to get interviews, it is unusual. Never held me back!

SamphireAndSalmon · 29/11/2023 20:33

I think it's a cool name!

ginteio · 14/12/2023 08:59

Lavinia is a lovely name. Please use it!

Itneverrainsitpissesitdown · 14/12/2023 10:25

I have only ever known one in my lifetime. She was lovely.
However, she did get shortened to Vinny.

I think Nia would be a nice shortening, but wouldn't be obvious that it came from Lavinia if people were not aware of her full name.
A bit like an Olivia known as Via or a Victoria known as Ria.

yirka · 05/01/2024 16:08

I think it's nice. In some cultures it's fairly popular (Italy, I think, and Romania). I haven't met a British one though.

App13 · 05/01/2024 16:11

I wanted it but my brother said its lavatory to put me off sadly

StrongandNorthern · 05/01/2024 16:13

Doesn't shorten well.
You may say Nia, kids will say Lav.
Had a great aunt Lavinia - Vinnie.

Hols24 · 05/01/2024 16:19

I really like it. Classic and underused. I'd shorten it to Liv rather than Lav 🙂

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