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.

Polly came from Mary? Really? i wouldn't have guessed that. Daisy and Pearl were nns for Margaret too weren't they? It's a versatile name. Margot, maggie, Greta, Daisy, Pearl. you could name a basketball team with just Margaret.

I love that a 'Pollyanna' sees the best of everything. She's an optimist isn't she??

ElizabethB - just figured out a day or two ago who you used to be - glad to see you are still around! My memory is so crap I have actually forgotten what your previous MN name was but I know you had to namechange iyswim. Just thought I would mention this in case the person who caused you to name change is still lurking and also figures out your new persona.... if I can, they could. Might want to be a bit careful of what you say for a while

Thanks Grape! It's funny really. I had such a crisis over it. And now, a few weeks later, I think... well, I didn't say anything on here that I didn't tell everybdy anyway. the only difference is that in real life you only mention what's appropriate when you think that confidence would be welcome (if that's the right word). I mean, if my DC's teacher knows my situation. It's creepy not knowing who the person is. But I've dealt with worse!! It has made me more careful about what I reveal. Even if the lurker is on here and knows who EB is, I can deal with that now. I have a large g&t half drunk beside me. Maybe that's why I'm so cool about it right now!

Leda, I bet I know that same violinist - does her surname begin with D?

Miriam sounds very Jewish to me, Laura is nice but common, Elise is very pretty. Polly is OK but sounds slightly fey to me.

I would choose Elise.

Polly.

Miriam by absolutlely miles

Beautiful - soft - feminine without being silly or 'in vogue'

I like Laura (esp. La-oo-ra). I have a niece called Miruna (Mee-roo-nah), i don't know if it's a variation of Miriam, but I think it's lovely.

They are all lovely, but I do love Elise- complete bias as it is my best friend's name and she is absolutely beautiful!

Miriam is simply fabulous.

I am actually a little bit jealous that I didn't consider it for our DD.

who says La-oo-ra? lots of people in Europe say L-ow-ra (like Fowler) but have never heard La-oo-ra

Yes that would be such an eye-roller! Here is my daughter Laura, pronounced la-oor-a!

Lowra I like though. I had a Spanish friend called Lowra. Obviously written down it was still Laura.

I have a dd called Laura so that swings me but tbh I like them all apart from Elise.

Miriam is the name of the lady who helped to bring me up I love that name!!!

I am taking all the Miriam comments frightfully personally

i have a daughter laura, i think its a lovely name, its not too babyish or cute. and manages the transition from baby to lady very well.(shes 19 now.)
polly is sweet, but perhaps a little twee???? elise ok, not too keen to be honest, but miriam, imo is a religious "old" name like ethel. but its only my opinion!!!!
good luck with your baby. im sure whatever you decide, you will be thrilled with it, and thats whats important xx

lol sorry motherinferior

I like Miriam and Elise best out of the four.

I don't like Miriam as I know one who is soooooooooo beyond snotty and pretentious and so I associate it with her.

I really like Elise.

Oh I hope you are not offended by the thread Motherinferior.

I really think it is a great name: Plain without being dull, beautiful without being frilly. Most of the comments on the thread have confirmed this, I think.

And I actually find the really astonishing ease with which I've managed to dismiss all the more negative comments a good sign that I should just go with it.

I really appreciate everybody's input. I'm quite surprised by how useful this thread has turned out to be.

DS was supposed to be Laura! Didn't suit him though when he turned into a boy!

Am liking Miriam Elise a lot though.

Ah, you see my Miriam was my PFB so obviously I expect everyone in the entire world to think her name and everything else are utterly marvellous .

Actually I like Elise too.

elise is a tracksuit or a car
miriam stoppard
laura - ambivolent at best.

Polly put the kettle on - however its a pretty name

like Polly best...had a great friend called Polly and still think it's really pretty.

then Miriam, which would be unusual nowadays,and has a certain allure

not a great fan of Elise or Laura. Laura is a bit dull