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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Lottie or Dottie

130 replies

mymindislikeamarshmallow · 22/12/2023 23:36

Which one do you prefer? I don't want to use the traditional longer names Charlotte or Dorothy. Be kind, baby here (nearly 2 weeks old, she needs a name!) thanks.

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Sintel · 23/12/2023 01:17

Lottie but Charlotte on the birth certificate. Dottie as a full name would be awful.

UsualChaos · 23/12/2023 01:27

For those saying she should use the full versions in case the child gets a very formal job, I avoided an -ie name with my first child for this reason but went with it for the second, because there are now so many children with shortened versions of names that every second barrister etc will be called Freddie, Archie, Millie, Lottie etc. Nobody will think it strange when this generation become adults.

user1492757084 · 23/12/2023 01:48

Lottie for sure.

Grumblevision · 23/12/2023 02:02

Lottie. Or Lotte/Lotta!

user1477391263 · 23/12/2023 06:19

Really, really don’t like either, sorry. Dottie makes me think of a mad old lady with wild hair. Lottie, if you really must. But every Charlotte I know hates “Lottie” with a passion.

Katypp · 23/12/2023 07:10

UsualChaos · 23/12/2023 01:27

For those saying she should use the full versions in case the child gets a very formal job, I avoided an -ie name with my first child for this reason but went with it for the second, because there are now so many children with shortened versions of names that every second barrister etc will be called Freddie, Archie, Millie, Lottie etc. Nobody will think it strange when this generation become adults.

All the managers in my job are from the first generation of -ie names and sound more like a group of girls you would invite to tea than serious colleagues. Sorry!
I am sure to their generation they sound perfectly sensible and OK. But to my ear (they are around 30, I am mid-50s) their names just sound daft on grown women called Poppy and Katie.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 23/12/2023 07:13

Calling a child Dottie would be cruel.

Motherofpearlxoxo · 23/12/2023 07:15

Got to be Dottie!! I absolutely love it!
and congratulations on your new baby!! xxxxxx

WickDittington · 23/12/2023 07:45

Why not have the longer names? You’re saddling a potential High Court judge with a baby name forever.

roachinghell · 23/12/2023 07:47

Lottie is lovely.

Mumsnet seem to think any child named with something ending in IE will become a judge.. an unsuccessful judge because of the last two letters of their name.

JaneAustensHeroine · 23/12/2023 07:48

Lottie is lovely!

BusySittingDown · 23/12/2023 07:58

Hmm, I don't think some of these replies got the "please be kind" memo!

I have a Lottie and she likes her name and I have had so many compliments on it. She is actually a Charlotte, as I love both, but it's pretty much redundant as she is just Lottie except on documents.

I would just go with the Lottie or Dottie (although I'm not a fan of Dottie) if you don't like the long version. The High Court Judge/Doctor/Lawyer theory is irrelevant because when your child is an adult there will be a sea of adult Millys, Tillys, Alfies, Freddies etc.

BusySittingDown · 23/12/2023 08:00

My Lottie is a teen btw and still really suits it.

KitKatKathy · 23/12/2023 08:07

I prefer Lottie. However, there are three Charlotte in my daughter's Year 1 class (Two Lotties and a Tottie), so maybe a little too popular.

Copperoliverbear · 23/12/2023 08:12

Lottie x

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 23/12/2023 08:14

Love Lottie

whosaidtha · 23/12/2023 08:16

You are naming an adult not just a baby. Imagine being an awkward teen or middle aged woman called Dottie. At least give her options with a longer name.

Umph · 23/12/2023 08:16

If I had another girl, she’d be Dorothea NN Dottie.

StampOnTheGround · 23/12/2023 08:17

Lottie! And I love not using the longer names, the whole put something longer on the birth certificate annoys me - what's the point, they'll never be called that?

If they really didn't like their name when they were older and wanted a longer version, then nothing is stopping them!

PaddyIrishWoman · 23/12/2023 08:17

Charlotte on birth certificate, nice classy name for the future in case she becomes a Judge, Professor, Prime Minister etc but Lottie to everyone else.

Jesus christ what a ridiculous comment!!!!!!

I prefer Lottie OP. It was on my list when I was pregnant.

MsSquiz · 23/12/2023 08:18

We have a Charlotte on the basis that we would call her Lottie and liked all other shortenings
She is now 4 and has never been called Lottie! It just doesn't suit. She is a Charlotte.
The only nickname she goes by is Lala as that's what her little sister calls her

Holidayhell22 · 23/12/2023 08:20

I wouldn’t use Dottie. It just means scatty and a bit mad.
So it’s Lottie from me.

Findapath · 23/12/2023 08:23

Lottie here too - lovely name but I am pretty trad and would go for long name on certificate. Imagine them as a woman not as a child as that is what they will be for most of their life! Good luck

bakewellbride · 23/12/2023 08:25

I like both but it would have to be Charlotte on the birth certificate imo. Lottie is quite a 'little girl' sounding name and it's only fair to give Charlotte as an option for adulthood. Same with dottie

SpringIntoChaos · 23/12/2023 08:28

Sintel · 23/12/2023 01:17

Lottie but Charlotte on the birth certificate. Dottie as a full name would be awful.

Don't be ridiculous! There are very many adult Lottie's (fewer Dottie's I imagine but there's absolutely nothing wrong with it for an adult!)

My name doesn't end in -ie but everyone has added it and that's now what I'm known as (think 'Jane' but called 'Janie'). I'm 60 and have a very professional senior job - my CEO calls me 'Janie' so it's clearly not done my career any harm 🤷‍♀️