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Original poster

Marilla - again!

29 replies

Pepa · 17/11/2009 21:40

This is the second time I've created this thread...the last one mysteriously disappeard

I really like the name Matilda but my DS (and his family) have vetoed it for a complicated reason that I don't agree with... ANYHOW [deep breath emotion!]....we are looking at Elizabeth and Marilla as alternatives. So with 2nd names they would be

Elizabeth Joy
or
Marilla Elizabeth

(Elizabeth is after my Nana but I'm not sure it goes with my DD name)

My other DC's names are Leo and Eleanor

Any thoughts wise Mumsnet Jury....

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Clary · 17/11/2009 21:49

I think eleanor adn elizabeth are a bit similar (two x Miss E Pepa to start with) - think Ellie and Eliza - which is a shame as I like Elizabeth.

Is MArilla the name of the foster mum in Anne of Green Gables? It's a bit unusual for my taste. How about Martha? Marina?

LadyBlaBlah · 17/11/2009 21:50

marilla sounds like a country

blithedance · 17/11/2009 21:52

Actually I knew sisters called Eleanor and Elizabeth when I was growing up. They were always known as Ellie and Lizzie so didn't really get mixed up.

sunshinejanuary · 17/11/2009 22:08

I absolutely LOVE Marilla and have it on my list i hope you have better luck pursuading your other half than i am having!

Squishabelle · 17/11/2009 22:25

Is Marilla a name?

Original poster
Pepa · 17/11/2009 22:25

sunshinejanuary my DH seems to like Marilla - although with 6 weeks to go I think he would with anything (except Matilda) right now!

blithedance we would probably call the baby Lizzie as that was my Nana's most comman nickname as we call Eleanor by her full name now most of the time (too many Ellies/Ellas)

If we went with Marilla we were thinking or Mari (pronounced Maari not Mary) or Rilla as nn's

OP posts:
Original poster
Pepa · 17/11/2009 22:27

Yes it is a "real name"

Nymbler says its "A girl's name of Celtic, German and Hebrew origin. Marilla was most popular in 1897 and is currently not among the top 1000 U.S. girls' names"

And yes was the name of the Foster mother in Anne of Green Gables.

OP posts:
Clary · 17/11/2009 23:40

Hmm fair enough wrt Lizzie and Eleanor - my "Miss E" point still stands tho. DH had the same initial as his dad and he was always opening his post.

Original poster
Pepa · 18/11/2009 01:51

Clary I agree with you and given we have a Leo its either 2 L's or 2 E's as I'm not as keen on the Betty/Betsy/Beth options

I'm really suprised that so many people think Marilla is such an uncommon name, to me its no different than Florence, Matilda or all the other "old lady" names...oh well horses for course right!

OP posts:
seeker · 18/11/2009 06:31

I know a baby Amaryllis - if that's any help!

birdofthenorth · 18/11/2009 11:30

I LOVE Marilla and would have it on my list if DH was keen too (sadly not)... I was an Anne of green Gables fan as a kid but I also just think its a gorgeous, warm, elegant name. Rilla, Rill, Rillie or Mari/ Marie for short!

missmama · 18/11/2009 12:07

Also gave me a nice warm feeling, I thought of Anne of Green Gables straight away.
A proper old fashioned name. But not an 'old lady' name.
Rilla for short, beautiful.

MintyCane · 18/11/2009 12:13

I like it and also thought of Anne of Green Gables. It is lovely. I like Mari for short.

Caitni · 18/11/2009 12:25

Love Marilla (another Anne of Green Gables fan here ). It's unusual, but easy to pronounce based on spelling, and a good compromise if Matilda was your first choice.

sunshinejanuary · 18/11/2009 18:55

Pepa- i have tried it out again on DH, he seems to like it better now - we also only have 6 weeks to go and as with your DH, it might have something to do with this!!
Matilda was in fact my first choice but he has totally vetoed this!

Vivia · 18/11/2009 18:58

I really adore Marella, it's softer and I have a darling friend with the name.

MaggiePie · 18/11/2009 18:59

I love Elizabeth Joy.

Marilla would be pronounced maria in Spainanyway. I would prefer just Maria.

Marianne is lovely tho.

Original poster
Pepa · 19/11/2009 13:48

Thanks for all the opinions - glad to see some positive ones appearing too!

sunshinejanuary funny how we both wanted Matilda...what is wrong with our DH's!

OP posts:
MamaLazarou · 19/11/2009 13:53

It doesn't sound like a real name to me.

Though I am fairly ignorant.

RnB · 19/11/2009 14:01

Marilla Cuthbert I like it.

What was her brother's name in Green Gables? He was so sweet...

Iklboo · 19/11/2009 14:05

Sorry it's a lovely name but coming from oop north where everone is 'Our so-and-so' she'd be

Our Marilla

birdofthenorth · 19/11/2009 15:47

RnB -think her brother was Matthew Cuthbert. Oh the memories!

RnB · 20/11/2009 09:49

Oh yes - Matthew My mum and the boxset - may have to indulge over Christmas

winterdragon · 29/11/2009 01:13

Silly and frilly. Looks and sounds made up.

foxytocin · 29/11/2009 02:27

How is it pronounced? Saying it in Spanish almost sound like you've named our child after a colour.