Mabel, Violet or Iris

[Charlotte350]

Mabel Shirley
Violet Shirley-
Iris Shirley-

Shirley is the name of DH grandma who we both were close to.

I'm stuck between the three
Iris and Violet are family names
Mabel I just like the sound but in still torn between the three

I much prefer Violet of those three. Iris to me is still a 'granny' name. Mabel just sounds light weight, I always think of 20 years down the line and wonder if the name would sound right for a professional? Dr Mabel? Professor Mabel? I am not convinced.

Quite a few names have the I/eye sound - Isla, Ivy, Lila, Lyra, Maya.
Isla is no 4, but I don't know any young ones.

For my first ever time on a names thread I love love love your taste in names. All 3 are just beautiful.

I think Mabel is my fave!

I have an Iris, I love it and that would have been her name regardless of popularity - I’d have chosen it if it was number 1 and I’d have chosen it if it was nowhere near the top 100, it’s got a particular significance for us.

That said, I taught for many years and never taught an Iris, nor was there one in any of the schools I worked in. Since having DD (she’s 6) we’ve come across lots and there are two others in her school, so it’s definitely getting more popular.

I also like Violet and am not keen on Mabel.

Im not sure Shirley goes as well with Iris as it does with Violet, though it’s very rare the full name gets used so that might not matter so much to you.

Also FWIW - when DD was a baby, the number of people who thought her name was Ivy was uncanny. I’ve no idea if that was just a fluke, or it’s common for people to mishear Iris as Ivy for some reason, but it happened so often!

Unless youre going to pronounce the L on Mabel properly it sounds like maybaw which I don't think sounds great so for that reason I'd go with iris or violet

Depends on surname, any siblings?

Violet is too similar to violence to me.

Mabel is too like Mildred, Hilda, Sybil vibes. Too old fashioned.

So I guess Iris, Prefer Ivy though.

Really like Mabel.

Cant stand Violet or Iris. Iris is overused where I live.

Mabel, I do like Iris as well though.
Violet reminds me of the spoilt girl in Charlie and the chocolate factory.

Violet Beauregarde, Violet Elizabeth.

It's the ul sound in Mabel I don't like.

Iris

I have a Violet so obviously love it. But I think Mabel sounds nicer with Shirley. All three are nice.

My girls are Iris Ruby and Violet Grace. Both in their 20s. Violet is Vi, Viddy, Vava, Viddle. Iris is sometimes Irie or Iriddle. They both love their names and we've only met one other Iris, never a Violet

I think Mabel sounds nicer with Shirley. They'll seldom be said together.

Which sounds better: Mabel Hollingsworth, Violet Hollingsworth or Iris Hollingsworth?

Mabel is my favourite of your list.

Iris is my favourite. Gorgeous name.

Gorgeous flower. It's the one that goes best with the surname IMO.

Violet with nn Letty is my favourite from your list!

Iris is the prettiest name but it does run into Shirley. I like the other two names equally but have you thought about Vera?

Shirley is the middle name. It's how the first name sounds with the surname that matters most.

Violet is lovely. Don't like Iris or Mabel

I love Iris

Iris

Mabel is awful. Who wants a name that rhymes with 'label'?

/

Iris

Or table. It also makes me think of marbles.

I'm not a great fan. It isn't terrible but there are much prettier names and I think both Iris and Violet are nicer - and still love Violetta!