Flora = margarine?

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We already have an Isla and hoping that this bump is a little Gregor, but if it is another girl we are finding it hard to think of another name with Scottish leanings (to go with our surname). I like Flora and DH quite likes it but struggles to get away from the margarine connection. What do you think?

I love Flora - great with Scottish surnames (I sport one too). I think the Flora "spreads easily" ad campaign was over 20 years ago (?) so wouldn't worry about today's kids making smutty puns

Lovely point fishie about the name meaning "every flower in the world".

I was also thinking that 'spreads easily' thing hasn't been used or heard for years. Doubt my Flora (2) will be taunted by it, unless by older people with no sense.

I love the name Flora and it was number 1 on my list if we had a girl, but then DH pointed out the 'spreads easily' thing I didn't think it would be something that kids now would say though.
It's a great name and I will still push for it if we have a girl !!

My half-French half-English daughter is a Flora. And there is another one in her class at school, who is Brazilian.

There is no Flora margarine in France. But quite honestly I wasn't remotely bothered by the association. I suppose it depends whether you and the people around you eat margarine.

LOL at that last comment - I don't think it's got anything to do with whether you eat margarine. The 'spreads easily' slogan was a marketing device and as such was widely known in the UK, and some years ago 'Flora' did tend to be used as a vulgar term for a slapper.

Though having read the post about vaginal flora, I think I could never use the name for that reason alone!!

what about Florence?

Now Florence is lovely

I didn't think of the margarine - 'tis next doors dog's name but I think it is fine for a little girl. I would connect it to flora and fauna far more than a tub of margarine anyway..

Really like Gregor though

flora i think old fashioned scottish name, wee grannies.bonnie prince charlie girlfriend

but yes skin flora and mrsa, and StrepB does spring to mind now you mention it

Thanks everyone!

Got until early April to decide, ages really ? I didn't grow up in the UK so the margarine connection isn't on my mind. Must admit I haven't heard the other uses for Flora, but find I'm not too put off by them. Funny about the dog called Flora. DH's stepmother begged us to take Angus off the boys' list because she'd had a dog by that name! Really don't like Florence which is odd considering they are such similar names. Rather hoping we'll be spared any decisions by having a boy! Thanks for liking Gregor, BigBadMouse.

I'm sorry but to me Flora=cecil parkinson's love child
but that obviously dates me somewhat!

Hope you get your boy, but I have to say I have 2 girls (one Flora) and it is just fab! (and I have another ??maybe girl on the way!) Good luck.

Flora's a lovely name, Iona as someone else mentioned also great although maybe you don't want two 'I's

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There was a Flora at one of my after school groups and she was teased mercilessly and told that she spreads her legs easily.

That said, I do think it's a beautiful name. I had a Fleur at school too.

Good luck for number 3 Frazzled! I wouldn't mind two girls, but think that if we do DH might suggest a third baby in case we get a boy third time lucky. Our family has loads of girls so a girl is perhaps more likely.

xx

Flora is really sweet! Ignore the idea of marg/spreads easily jibes, they just show up the ignorance/bad taste of anyone who makes them.

I see its just me then. Everyone else is thinking 'who's cecil parkinson?'

oh i loved Flora but also have a husband who had issues with the margarine thing.

(as well as Tamsin 'too much like tampon )

Scottish names - Iona, Catriona

We have a 12 year old Flora, I had never heard of the spreads easily campaign although my Dh was very worried about margarine. Anyway still love the name chosen over Catriona which didn't really go with our surname. Wanted a Scottish name and I named her for Flora Macdonald and to date no major problems. She was the only Flora at a school of 400 kids packed with Ellies, Millys, Lucys and Bethanys to name but a few of the common duplicates.

I think it is lovely. My DS is called Gregor and it is a great name.

2 good choices.

Tarantella - a friend of mine whose maiden name was MacDonald named her daughter Flora

I think Flora is a smashing name.

Nice to get a vote of confidence given what has been said by some on this thread.

Agreed, Anna ? thanks very much for the positive comments! Made me feel more confident about it.

Flora MacDonald (our surname is Mc) was the inspiration for the name. Catriona (problematic pronunciation and several Catherines, and variations on this spelling, in the family) and Iona (don't really want Isla and Iona) don't work for me. Lovely to hear of a 12 year old Flora who the name really works for (and the 2 year old, of course!).

Thanks for your time.

xxx