Margaret or Lavinia

[Summer8summer8]

Hi which name is better for daughter: Margaret or Lavinia?

I love Margaret. Margot for short is so elegant and 20s.

Lavinia just makes me think of lavatories.

Both are awful (in my opinion). Perhaps too soon for a revival.

Yes, I was wondering if that was what the OP was thinking of.

I may be biased because I have a now 29 year old Margaret. It was my grandma's name and she died on the day my daughter was born. My lovely girl has used Meg or Maggie for most of her life (answers to either) but as a family we use Ret (because my eldest couldn't say Margaret when her baby sister arrived, and it stuck 💕).

Lavinia...not so nice in my opinion, as all I can think of is 'lav' or 'lavvie'- and who wants that nickname at school?!? 😲

Lavinia is a beautiful name if she grows up in Italy - the English pronunciation of it isn’t anywhere near as nice as the Italian unfortunately.

Margaret is a bit old lady but I like maggie and margo.

Margaret. So lovely. Loads of lovely diminutives. I love Peggy.

Objectively, I prefer Lavinia, but I think it's probably a hard name to live with, and poor diminuitives.
I don't like Margaret or Maggie, and instinctively think 'Thatcher".
So I guess neither for me.

Margaret is much nicer and so many choices to shorten.

Margaret is awful and frumpy unless you'd always call her Maggie which is a bit nicer!

Lavinia is so much nicer

To be honest I don't like either, but I do quite like Maggie, Meg, Maisie and Daisy so for that reason I'd say Margaret

Oh Margaret by miles! It’s got character, and as others have said loads of great options to shorten it.

I don't think we're quite ready for the next generation of Margaret's yet.

Still an 'old but still living' name for now but I expect it will become popular again once once all the Margaret's have died off.

Of the two, Margaret.

I think Davina is more usable than Lavinia.

Neither. There are so many other lovely girls names.

Ooh Margaret. Let’s bring it back!

Lavinia is lovely.

"Margaret, Margaret, Margaret!!!!!!"............."Yes?"

Joyce Grenfell's George don't do that had a Lavinia in the Nursery.
Have never met one.
Zinnia is pretty, without the unfortunate Lav.
Not sure about Margaret.

Both will likely get shortened, so of the two definitely Margaret. It’s a bit out of fashion but is a classic that will eventually come back and the nickname choice is amazing - from Greta to Maggie via Meg, Mae, Daisy, etc etc. She can make it her own.

While I love Roman names (Octavia, Aurelia, Annia or Atia anyone?) - I’m less keen on the sound of Lavinia, as both the obvious shortenings “Lav” and “Vin” don’t have pleasant sounds. Lucilla or Livia instead? Or consider being really brave and giving similar style Virginia a comeback? (As it’s a gorgeous sound imo but unfortunate associations)

Madge or Lav

Margaret. I have a fondness for Peggy and Meg as nicknames.

Lavinia=toilet in my head. Sorry.

Is there a secret third option?

Awful, awful, awful! Sorry op.

Margaret is a lovely name. It also shortens well for everyday.

Margaret but I wouldn't shorten to Margot