Miriam, Elise, Laura or Polly?

[Leda]

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.

Elise a bit chav???? I don't agree. To me it's just a french girl's name.

How do people pronounce Elise in England?

I have three biblical names for my DCs (Benjamin, Rebecca and Jacob) and we are in no way religious. We just like the names. I like Polly best of your four choices though, and have always liked Laura too.

i like Miriam and Polly best!

I have never heard of the Lotus Elise so it doesn't mean anything to me -- I'm not very clued up on car names. Is it very bad then?

I like Miriam more anyway -- Elise is slightly "pretty" for my taste (which is probably why dh likes it). But it would not bother me in a middle name and Elisabeth is mil's name so appropriate in that sense.

Actually also agree with whoever said that Polly was a bit twee. I do like it though.

I like Elise the best not overly keen on Miriam sorry but names are so personal.

DD3 due in July is going to be Bethany which I found out is a religious Christian name (town where Jesus rose Lazerus from the dead) the things you find out.

If you really like the name then go for it.

Do people choose names to be sexy and cool? (Genuine question as neither occurred to me when I was choosing names, and they wouldn't now).

absolutely not! 'cool' becomes dated very quickly and 'sexy' is just wrong

Miriam is undoubtedly the nicest (my dd is Miriam). I loved her name from the moment I thought of it, and I love it more every time I hear it!

French version of Miriam is Myriam. Dd is very biblical as is Miriam Ruth!

Polly! I like Miriam too.

when I said Miriam was not a name that would ever be 'sexy or cool' I just meant that i (personally - no offence to any Miriams or mothers of Miriams) would lump it in with names like: Brenda, Joyce and Marjory.

Miriam is cool. It's cool because the masses don't get it. It's a bit like Nancy, Margot and Lois actually.

Polly for me (I've got one).

It is interesting how name associations work Nancy66. I do think Brenda, Joyce and Marjory all sound a bit dated, but I really wouldn't group Miriam with them.

The only Miriam I know is a very talented violinist (who also happens to be rather sexy) so in that sense I have only good associations with the name.

Elise is my favourite from your list, a beautiful French name, not chav in the slightest IMO. I also love Polly. Miriam Elise would be lovely.

Miriam is a nice sound. Doesn't scream religion. Elise is nice too.

I wouldn't pick Polly. A bit Blyton

I like Elise. It reminds me of a song by the Cure.

Elise is my favourite - even after years of listening to kids do "Fur Elise" for piano practice!

I'm afraid Polly (whilst pretty) just says "Fawlty Towers" to me and I can't help thinking of it in a Manuel accent - sorry .

I like Miriam. It's different but a name people recognise, iykwim.

Elise or Laura would be my choice - Polly is too much of a "pet" name/nickname to me.

Not really sure about Miriam - would prefer Mariam which is how it is spelled in most of the area it originates I think...

Laura is a favourite name for me, as well. If we ever get around to having another child and we have a daughter, Laura is at the top of the list.

I like in order of preference

Laura
Polly (could be Paulina shortened)
Elise
Miriam

WEssexgirl, I was wondering if Polly was originally short for anything. I know Molly came from Mary and Sally from Sarah because of French-speakers difficulties pronouncing the r. (not sure why french-speakers would have a baring on English nns though).

I can't think of any name that starts with Par or Por.....

I LOVE the name Polly though.

Joyce I dislike, but I love JOy. And Joyce will probably sound cool in about two years!!

Miriam makes me think of Miriam Stanley from the second series of the apprentice. She was one of the best contestants ever.

Elise makes me think of the car.

Marjory is not a nice sound. I don't care that it's dated. I love some dated names. Valerie for eg.

Polly, like Molly, was originally a pet name for Mary (which I suppose makes as much sense as 'Peggy' for Margaret). The nurse at our GP practice is called Polly too, but hers is short for Pauline. My Polly loves being the subject of so many nursery songs and rhymes - her sister gets quite jealous .

Laura