Ada or Sara?

[Ondine]

Am almost sure I will go for Ada..... just a few questions?

I'm starting to worry Ada might be a bit mousey and may fall on the wrong side of retro chic e.g. Hilda and not the right side like Ava & Pearl?

Do you have an image of what you would imagine an Ada to be like? I?m hoping not mousey or matronly and more elegant and intelligent!

Sara (pronounced Sah-ra) would be the second choice. I have no concerns over it. Just a bit safe maybe.

Which do you prefer?

[coppola]

You'll be forever correcting the spelling/pronunciation of Sara.

Ada.

[Scorpette]

Ada is my Gran's name. She might be nearly 90, but she is still a feisty redhead (still got beautiful hair), full of character, spirit and style, with a brilliant sense of humour, sharp-as-a-pin mind and a massive heart. Okay, so I'm biased, but I've always loved her name - will be using it as a MN for a future DD.

Regardless of it being her name, I think it is a 'clean', crisp, classy name and 'different' without being too 'grannyish' - names like Ada are a mile away from naff old-time names like Edna and Mildred! It means 'noble heart'.

On an even cooler front, Ada (Lovelace) was the name of Lord Byron's daughter, who was a genius and without whom we wouldn't have the computer!

Okay, I think I've put my case forward enough now!

[Ondine]

Your Gran sounds inspirational Scorpette .

I know just what you mean about Ada sounding crisp and clean, that?s why I liked it to start with. It?s v. popular in Norway and it?s seems to have got that crisp Nordic sound to it.

Thanks everyone for you feedback, I think most seem to think it's on the right side of retro. The link to Ada Lovelace and Ada Clare is also nice so i?m feeling over my wobble on if it?s the name or not.

[hullygully]

Ada Ada Ada Ada Ada

[Tinker]

No, Ada doesn't sound very nice. What about Clara? Actually, no, that doesn't work with Darling. Alistair Darling is A Darling.

[MrsSeanBean]

I had a lovely Auntie whose name was Ada

I imagine a modern day Ada to be individual, happy, wear fab co-ordinated earrings with everything, and be on the tall side. Oh and have long hair. Sorry, a bit random I know, but that's my imagination for you.

I don't think it's got matronly connotations at all.

[Ondine]

Thanks for your imagination MrsSeanBean ? it?s always an insightful way to critique a name . I also have the tall with long hair image with Ada?!

Tinker - No! I was at peace there for a few minutes. Alistair Darling is not a good connotation for A. Darling.....

[pranma]

Sorry I think Ada is really awful.I once asked an acquaintance what her baby's name was and she replied,'Ada,Ada Muriel' I just said ,'Oh how unusual but there were some girls nearby[9-10]who burst out giggling.
Sara is nice and Ava isnt bad either.

[MrsSeanBean]

No: all these 'old lady' names are due for a revival IMHO.

Anyone who bursts out laughing at an unusual or individual name is not only immature (as demonstrated by the 9yo girls) but probably lacks imagination and finesse. That said, Ada is better than Muriel.

[pranma]

I like Edith too

[TsarChasm]

No to Ada - I'm thinking Les Dawson I'm afraid.

Sara is pretty.

[JudyBlume1019]

Ada is so so cool! Brilliant name!

[hester]

Sara is pretty but Ada is fabulous. I know one - she's four - and not at all mousy.

[AppleandMosesMummy]

Honestly reception classes will sound like old peoples homes soon.
Ada is certainly different, Sara is just bland IMO

[FireworkFury]

my nans mum was ada,

i love it,

my great gran i guess,

my dds great grans are francis and catherine.

franny and kitty to those that knew them well

[MrsSeanBean]

Here are some more 'old lady' names:
Winifred
Ethel
Maud(e)
Clodagh
Marjorie
Olive
Joyce
Grace (already revived)
Gladys
Kathleen
Marion
Gertrude
May (have heard this used recently)

[Scorpette]

Ondine - thanks, hon. My other Gran (Doris) was pretty sensational too!

I love most old lady names. But not as much as my friend who used to look in the 'Deaths' section of the local newspaper for inspiration (I kid you not!). Her DH talked her out of Mildred and they now have a lovely Violet.

DP likes Muriel. Told him it ain't happening in a million years.

[MrsSeanBean]

I sometimes read the deaths section too scorpette! Seriously though, it does give different inspiration.

[MamaLazarou]

Ada makes me think of an old lady with her hair in curlers, wearing a housecoat, smells a bit of wee.

Sara is pretty written down, but when spoken sounds wish-washy.

[MamaLazarou]

WISHY-washy

[mrscrocoduck]

What did you decide on?

[suiledonne]

I really wanted to call dd2 Ada. No-one, including DH, agreed and we called her Amy in the end.

I wish I had called her Ada though. So many Amys around here but you are the only other person I have heard to suggest Ada.

[mrscrocoduck]

It's my daughter's name!