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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Nigella - would you?

35 replies

Naetha · 30/04/2010 19:46

Would anyone actually call their baby girl Nigella? Surely no other name says "oops we wanted a boy" more than Nigella.

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stillfrazzled · 30/04/2010 19:48

Couldn't agree more. Was it even a name before Ms Lawson?

Always thought she's v lucky to be beautiful, is only way to live down such a godawful name...

MrsvWoolf · 30/04/2010 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

preggersplayspop · 30/04/2010 19:56

I think its very egotistical.

TabithaTwitchet · 30/04/2010 19:58

I thought it was the name of a flower/herb ie you could argue that it is not just the female form of Nigel.
I think it is horrible though

SugarSkyHigh · 30/04/2010 20:01

I once knew a hairdresser called Gavin - he called his daughter Gavindra!!

Jamieandhismagictorch · 30/04/2010 20:31

No, but Simone is nice

or Clivella

janeite · 30/04/2010 20:33

Good God, no. I think she suits it but when you think of it away from her, as it were, it really is hideous.

preggersplayspop · 30/04/2010 20:34

Do you think Colleen Rooney's dad is called Colin?

preggersplayspop · 30/04/2010 20:36

No, its Tony.

Wondering why she isn't Toni Rooney now

5DollarShake · 30/04/2010 20:53

It's very egotistical - if you want to name your offspring after one of their parents - go for it, just make it one of the same sex.

Lovethesea · 30/04/2010 21:23

Makes me think of others I know like Peteressa and Donaldina - just can't get past that 'disappointed not to have a son' impression they give!

muminthemiddle · 30/04/2010 22:48

Very ugly sounding name-awful.

Clary · 30/04/2010 22:58

Nigella's sisters are called Thomasina and Davidina or some such as well.

Phew when they had Dominic, eh!

Clary · 30/04/2010 22:59

Thomasina and Horatia actually. Sorry but ugggghhh

theagedparent · 01/05/2010 08:15

I know a 3 year old Nigella, dad Nigel has buggered off so she gets called Ella

tummytickler · 01/05/2010 10:38

I love Thomasina and Roberta though!
Gavindra - brilliant!

NonnoMum · 01/05/2010 10:44

Magella is a popular name in Ireland (?)

How about that instead?

kailie · 02/05/2010 11:27

knew a brother & sister called Gerald & Geraldine when I was young

Funnily enough I didn't see/hear them get teased anyone - I think even as kids we were shocked! it was just TOO cruel of their parents to do that to them......

mathanxiety · 02/05/2010 18:02

Majella is popular in Ireland -- so is Gerarda (same saint, Gerard Majella, apparently helps in difficult pregnancies).

Michelle is nice.

BettyButterknife · 02/05/2010 19:58

Ooh, it's terrible. Sounds so made up.

Delia, on the other hand, is rather lovely I think

NonnoMum · 02/05/2010 21:18

And actually, isn't Nigella the supreme example of transcending one's name? One of the most beautiful and self-confident women in the media, with the most blokish and ugly-sounding name (IMHO)?
Perhaps her gorgeousness was built on the character needed to survive the playground-sneers?

DastardlyandSmugly · 02/05/2010 21:28

Nigella's brother's little girl is called Domenica so it seems to be a family trend.

sparkleshine · 02/05/2010 21:53

Agree Simone is pretty.
There are nice male/female names. Danielle is a pretty version of Daniel,
Olivia,
but the rest.....
another is Pauline..... My mum hates it and uses her middle name instead

smallishsheep · 02/05/2010 21:56

I came here ready to shout, cor I would.
Then saw it was a baby names topic.
In which case, no I would most certainly not.

GladioliBuckets · 02/05/2010 23:04

Adding -ina to the father's name is an old Scottish tradition, although usually pronounced eye-na.

I prefer Delia or Darina (Allen) namewise if we're tlaking tv cooks.