Margot

[BettyButterknife]

A weird thing has happened - this is on our baby name list, and since last week, three people have suggested it as a possible name. I like the synchronicity.

I know it's posh, and does have the Leadbetter/Good Life association but I don't think that'll be too relevant in the future... I'm just not fully won over yet. I do love the possibility of the nickname Peggy.

Already have a DS called Arthur. Does it 'go' as a sibling name?

And what would be a good middle name? I had thought possibly Margot Maude.

Mumsnet verdict?

margot is lovely (adds to list for any future DDs!)

Too posh try hard for me sorry - unless of course you are very posh.

Margot Asquith is said to have been rather miffed by Jean Harlow at one point; Ms Harlow continuously pronounced her name Mar-gott. Apparently Mrs Asquith responded, "It's 'MargO' -- the T is silent, just like HarlO".

Marg-O (pronounced Marg-OH) is worse than Margott imo.

Thats the problem, unless you say it the French way (Margaux, like bateau with a nice French accent) it doesn't sound right.

And assuming you're English speaking, living in an English speaking country, why would you choose a name that you prefer pronounced in another language ?

I've never heard Margot pronounced any other way than the French way

Cor, lots of debate about the pronunciation...

According to my Penguin Dictionary of First Names:
French diminutive of Marguerite. It was first adopted from the French by English speakers in medieval times but remained rare until the 19th century, when it increased in frequency. It is still pronounced in the French manner (as 'Margo'). Also found as Margo.

Apparently the unusual spelling Margaux was given to US actress Margaux Hemingway (Margot Hemingway; 1955-1996), in honour of the bottle of Margaux red wine that her mother and father (son of novelist Ernest Hemingway) drank on the night she was conceived. In later years, after giving up drinking alcohol, she changed the spelling of her name to Margot to avoid the wine reference.

So there we have it re: pronunciation. Had absolutely no idea she was dead, either.

So I guess it's like lots of French words we pronounce in the French way - for want of another wine reference, Merlot!

Anyway, I'm pretty sold on the name. Also quite like the middle name Daisy - Margot Daisy - especially as Marguerite is a daisy-like flower.

Glad the consensus is that it goes with Arthur too

Or cabaret or buffet - people have no problem with those.

Just read your last post properly - I think a marguerite is a daisy, isn't it? So you would be naming your DD Daisy Daisy, which would put me off (but might not you ).

Or cabernet -- I for one have never had a problem with either merlot or cabernet, or pinot (grigio or noir).

I think the Italian name Margherita used to be always a reference to a pearl, but has in more recent times become interchangeable with Margarita and has also become associated with the daisy. I had a conversation with an Italian friend once on this subject but we were drinking chianti at the time and I may have become a little confused. Don't know if the same dim, vaguely remembered detail would even apply to the French name Marguerite.

I'm a Margo and am so surprised at all these lovely comments about the name. Personally I would go with my spelling every time rather than Margot (unless you live in France) as this eliminates any pronounciation issues along with any connection to the word maggot.

DD2s best friend is Margot.It is a lovely name and not heard much these days.

yeah it's sad when the people with the name have to be surprised to hear nice things. This does not bode well for your daughter! turn back now.

oh phew, i see on your other thread you are having a boy.

Hello,

We are due to have our first baby in June, Margo is on our top five names, my DH preffered Margot, but I myself have an unusual name (Ebba) and often have to explain/ spell my name to people. I am keen to find a name that is unusual, but easily understandable. Margo is lovely I think :-)

Oh I was also thinking Margo Juliet, or Margo Rose.

I read that Margot meant Pearl. It is often known as a shortened version of Marguerite but apparently it's a name in itself too. Margot Daisy is very nice, even if it did mean Daisy Daisy.. if you like the name, that's the only thing that really matters.
Liked the comment from mathanxiety, "It's 'MargO' -- the T is silent, just like HarlO" very funny :-)

I LOVE Margot and the Good Life connection can only be a good one in my opinion.

Not sure about Margot Maude even though I do quite like Maude. Just feels a bit much.

If she puts out, she'll get called My Go Margot. Just so as you know.