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

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

Baby names

Miriam, Elise, Laura or Polly?

82 replies

Leda · 09/05/2008 10:56

Please help, I?ve completely over-thought this and I?m sick of it, but can still not make up my mind.

We have more or less settled on Miriam as a name for dd2 due in two weeks, but I?m suddenly worried that it is too religious (we?re not) or something.

We also like Elise (dh?s favourite), Laura and Polly. Two syllable surname starting with Gar (like in garden). Is one of them obviously better that Miriam? Are they all awful? I am not overly sensitive about this so please say.

I?m open to other suggestions too.

OP posts:

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MrsBadger · 09/05/2008 10:58

I like them all - we considered all except Elise (which DH didn't like) for dd.

with a list that short you could wait and see what she looks like

have you a middle name in mind?

Sunshinemummy · 09/05/2008 10:59

I like Miriam and Polly best.

ChicaLovesHerLocalGreengrocer · 09/05/2008 10:59

Being dim here but I don't think religion when I hear Miriam.

Personally, I like Laura and Elise more, but all are nice names.

wrinklytum · 09/05/2008 11:00

I like Elise best but they are all pretty

Leda · 09/05/2008 11:02

Middle name will a family name. Probably Maria (not with Miriam obviously), Anne or Ellen.

Thank you for replying!

OP posts:

Leda · 09/05/2008 11:04

Oh and sorry about the question marks and typos. Something strange happened there.

OP posts:

DoubleBluff · 09/05/2008 11:07

Miriam and Polly are lovely. Isn't Elise a brand of sportswear? Not so kken on that one.
Miriam was the main female character in 'Sons and Lovers' by DH Lawrence.

Nero · 09/05/2008 11:08

I like Miriam and Elise

branflake81 · 09/05/2008 11:09

I think the "religious" (ie Muslim) spelling of Miriam is Myriam.

I like them all except Polly which is a bit twee.

Tommy · 09/05/2008 11:14

all beautiful - although wouldn't go for Elise as people might go a bit when you tell them
Miriam is my favourite

rolledhedgehog · 09/05/2008 11:16

Funnily enough MIL suggested Miriam for my new baby....but it was a boy! I thought it was a very left field suggestion but maybe she is ahead of fashion! Actually I like it and I like Polly...not keen on the others.

berolina · 09/05/2008 11:19

They are all lovely. Miriam is Biblical, but so are many other names that are used in entirely secular contexts

Elise is particularly lovely IMO

motherinferior · 09/05/2008 11:23

Muslim version of Miriam is Mariam.

I have a Miriam

Leda · 09/05/2008 11:30

Thank you very much for the input. I'm feeling more certain about Miriam again. Might go for Miriam Elise.

OP posts:

hatrick · 09/05/2008 13:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

AbbeyA · 09/05/2008 14:08

Miriam is lovely and unusual.
I like Laura.
I am afraid that I don't like Elise , it is too near my pet hate of Elsie (although better).
I am never very sure about Polly-parrot always springs to mind or 'Polly put the kettle on'.

Bucharest · 09/05/2008 14:20

I like them all....favourite possibly Elise, least favourite perhaps Laura, just because it was so popular about 15-20 years ago, maybe not ready for a comeback just yet.

artichokes · 09/05/2008 14:28

I love Miriam. It has never struck me as religious. Go for it. I like it more than your other suggestions (although they are all nice).

motherinferior · 09/05/2008 14:31

I can thoroughly recommend Miriam. Mine is utterly delightful. The world needs more Miriams.

Roobie · 09/05/2008 14:33

I might have to try for a girl now just so I can call her Miriam!! Love it and didn't even think of it for dd.

Nancy66 · 09/05/2008 15:16

I don't like Miriam at all, it's just not sexy or cool in any way. Makes me think of a very old Jewish lady - probably because all the Miriams I know (all two of them) ARE very old Jewish ladies.

I think Elise is a bit chav - makes me think of the car Lotus Elise but Polly and Laura are lovely.

Wheelybug · 09/05/2008 15:21

I surprise myself by thinking I like Miriam (although I do have bad-ish personal connotations of it).

I love Polly - this would be on my hypothetical shortlist other than the fact I wouldn't use it with my dd's name.

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sitdownpleasegeorge · 09/05/2008 15:25

Nancy66 snap re the Elise thing (Lotus cars affordable by and owned by middle aged men springs to mind)

Elouise would have been a hot contender if I'd had a girl.

Love Laura but not usable for us and I know a lovely Polly or two.

Miriam is a bit "Jewish old lady" but it could be due for a come back. Look at Ruby with its old lady associations, now there's loads of little girls named Ruby.

MrsBadger · 09/05/2008 16:10

rofl at choosing a name because it's 'sexy and cool'...

TigerFeet · 09/05/2008 16:12

Miriam Elise is lovely

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