After reading a thread last night I am even more confused come and help me decide .

[ComeWhineWithMe]

We really liked Isla but it's getting very popular round here .

I want a really beautiful name but can't decide so please tell me what you think of these ,be truthful I can take it honestly [gulp].

Martha RoseHermione Violet Ophelia

Not ignoring answers BTW off to bath dd .

Whenever I see the name Rose as the second name in a 2-parter, it makes me think of a boat. Sorry.

Like the others.

Ophelia - lovely, but makes me think of madness and a tragic end (Hamlet).
Violet - really like.
Martha Rose - 2 Dr Who assistants.

Martha is getting quite popular at the moment but a good name.

Hermione is probably my favourite.

Violet reminds me of old ladies and Parma Violets so no for me.

Ophelia is a bit posh and I can imagine shortening it to Offie which obviously isn't nice.

I would just stick with Martha and not use Rose unless it is just a middle name - sort of Bobby Jo, Britney Lou conotations to me.

The others are pretty though but what would you do if people started calling your pretty little Violet Vi!

They're all lovely names but the association with Hamlet would put me off Ophelia a little, I think.

I like Violet but it reminds me of Fifi and the Flowertots now!

Ophelia - is quite dramatic and maybe ott. But then if your daughter was born and had matching features, it could be a lovely choice. You could shorten to Lia which is nice.

Violet - Personally, I cannot get excited about it. Too many great aunties with purple hair. Great Auntie Vi. The nickname is not great but guess you needed let people shorten it.

Hermione - ok

Martha - I always think of Martha's vineyard and american grandma's that make lovely apple pie.

Probably Martha and Ophelia would be my favourites but they are quite different so think you could be better to wait and see what your daughter suited better.

They are all beautiful. Try saying them out loud with your surname.

Ophelia could be Fifi, or something, for short.

I wouldn't use Hermione, I think it'll always be associated with the HP films/books and it isn't the prettiest of that kind of name (Greek myth I think? Try Antigone or Penelope!)

I like them all better than Isla.

Why don't you go with Isla if you like it? Who cares if it's popular?

Naming a child is not a competition to choose the most original name: it's finding a name you love, and wanting to give it to your child.

You shouldn't worry about it, OP!

However, to answer your question:

I love:

Martha

and

Rose

(but independently, not as a double name)

I prefer:

Violetta

to

Violet (which sounds a bit harsh to my ear)

And would avoid:

Ophelia

because of the tragic Hamlet ref.

Some names have tragic associations, but it's not the only place you see them, so you can get away with it; Ophelia, on the other hand: well, I've only ever seen it in Hamlet, so that's my only frame of reference for it.

Sorry, and like Hermione.

I think it depends how much you love it Penthe...

If you start seeing hundreds of little Islas everywhere you go, you might start to feel it's boring.

(btw I like your posting name, where does it come from?)

Oh she was Queen of the Amazons!

Martha and Violet the nicest.

Ophelia - pretty but never understand why anyone would want to call a child after the Shakespeare character character.

Hermione - NO.

That's right, HelenBurns!

Well, I would never think it a boring name (I don't have an Isla; know one though); I would always see, in my mind's eye, a beautiful Scottish island.

It's a lovely name.

(I know it's spelt differently, btw!)

I think they're all nice names, and I do like Isla as well (reminds me of Isla St Clair (showing age )). One thing to watch out for is how the names will be shortened - you've already had two totally different responses for Ophelia. Likewise, if you don't like "V" or "Vi" then Violet probably wouldn't be right.

And agree with Martha Rose being a bit DR Who (it's what I thought of the second I though of it, and I don't even watch it)
Maybe Martha with a different middle name? Lily? (following your flower theme) or Louise?

You could have Letty for Violet.

I wanted Violet for years and then it got really popular (curse Ben Affleck!)

I am inverse snob about being seen as 'trendy'.

Martha sounds dumpy and flat to me - sorry.
Hermione is pretty so long as you can handle the HP refs
Violet is pretty but would need to be well matched with your sirname.

Ophelia - my dad went to school with a girl called Ophelia and all the boys just called her Tits (Oh feel ya tits). That has ruined this name for me although I think it's beautiful.

Sorry meant to put Rose would be a middle name for Martha ,dp and dd are very into dr who and are pushing for it put I am a bit .

I am so off Ophelia now after the feel your tits comment .

Hermione I have always loved since been little but I am worried about HP too.

Isla I do like it but I just can't see my Lo been called it anymore .

I am really really liking Violet just need to think of a middle name though .

All lovely names, ComeWhine!

If I had to choose probably Isla ... stick with it if you really love it.

I like them all (including Isla), except Ophelia.

And remember, even if a name you love is popular, you'd be really unlucky to have more than one in a class.

Go for Martha, it's lovely. Or Edith?

Love Martha and Violet. Not keen on the other two.

You could have Iona instead of Isla? Or Viola instead of Violet. With regard to middle names, what letter does your surname start with? Would Isla work as a middle name?

I dont like any of the list above
(If I had to choose it would prob be Violet, but hate the shortened form Vi !)

but i LOVE Isla