Bluebonnet for a girl name?

Any thoughts on Bluebonnet (will be called [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f]) for a girl? This is my sisters girl name choice, and while it’s not the worst, it’s a little out there. I’m not one to try and talk people out of names, but I can’t imagine a 30 year old named Bluebonnet! All opinions welcome!

I have never understood the question “Can so-in-so age” or the comments “So-in-So does not age well”. They simply can and do because the fact is, thank goodness, as a whole people make it into adulthood and old age. Their names age with them. Throughout history there have been different styles of names. [name_m]Just[/name_m] country to country has different styles of names in the same time period.

Now do I like Bluebonnet? I am personally not fond of the name for a first name. This is your sister’s child though. I personally would not involve myself to the degree of telling my family what they can and cannot call their own children. I will discuss names with them but would avoid giving my opinions on individual names. Naming children is very difficult and stressing. The parents should feel free to name their children what they feel are The Ones. That is an individual thing. I personally would have never used the names my brother chose. That does not matter, they are his children.

^^^ There’s a stark difference though between being an aging [name_f]Brittany[/name_f], or being an aging [name_f]Bunny[/name_f]. Or being a [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] that still goes by [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] after all the other Margarets your age dropped their childhood nickname. I’m not saying it’s wrong to name your kid a name that might be perceived as childish, but there are definitely names that tend to bring to mind the image of a child as opposed to a 30 year old.

It’s a little saccharine for my taste. I wouldn’t want to be named Bluebonnet, nor could I imagine hearing it called at a graduation or the like, but if your sister can, that’s her business. That’ll be between her and her daughter one day.

I like Bluebonnet (although I would never ever use it), but if your sister can deal with bad responses (little Bluebonnet may not like her name), then she can go and name her Bluebonnet.

It’s bit saccharine, wordy and childish, but it’s not worst out there.

On baby name forums people throw around “won’t age” too often. People out in the world, by the names that are actually being given to babies, are not as concerned by this…or some might just not care. I am voicing this side. It is also a fact that, as a whole, we all grow-up and age. And no, I personally would not think an adult friend of mine named “[name_f]Bunny[/name_f]” was a child or have an image of a child because I would know them as the adult they are. Actually my friend “[name_f]Bunny[/name_f]” might be a doctor and my friend “[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]” extremely immature. In this case, I would possibly view my friend “[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]” childlike. If I did not know either, I would not judge either. So still no image.

Erm… Bluebonnet is the name of a butter company here, so I’m not terribly keen. I Hadn’t even realized it was a flower, honestly. [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f], [name_f]Lulu[/name_f], [name_f]Etta[/name_f], or [name_f]Nettie[/name_f] are all cute and could be used for Bluebonnet, but I definitely wouldn’t suggest it. Then again, I agree with @sansavesper and @desdemona - it’s your sister’s choice, ultimately. :slight_smile:

I can’t imagine a person being name Bluebonnet, let alone a 30 year old, because the only think I can think of when I hear the name Bluebonnet is the butter brand. I would hate to have that as a name. That being said, I’m not sure it’s your place to say something to your sister, like @lovemysweeties said. It is her child and her choice. If it so happened that her daughter ended up hating her name, she can legally change it to [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] or something else. Also, with graduation (as a pp mentioned), you typically have a say in how your name is written on your diplomas, so that shouldn’t be an issue.

I don’t recall mentioning personality traits in my original answer, but my point still stands: some names are more often heard on children/sound more like they embody the personality of a child as opposed to an adult. Does it ring true in every case? No. Obviously, if you met an adult [name_f]Bunny[/name_f], you’d think of them as an adult, since that’s what they were when you met them. But if all the Avas you know are below the age of six, aren’t you going to think of a child when you hear the name?

It’s very impressive that you can think of every name you hear completely objectively. No preconceived images, no people with that name you know come to mind. I wish I could be as nonjudgemental as you.

Sorry to clog up the thread. @lovemysweeties, feel free to message me if need be.

I think it’s absolutely absurd. However, as others have said, there’s not much you can do about your sister’s choice.

I personally find the name horrendous. It is a butter company and also sounds like something you would name a horse or a cow. I have to disagree with a previous poster about names aging with people. Name prejudice does exist, I am sure [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] would be more likely to be hired than a MyKynzleigh or Tinzley, as those names sound frilly, childish, and made up-(much like Bluebonnet). I would trust [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] as my lawyer before Bluebonnet, even if that is really judgmental I would say more people feel the same than not.

However, as unfortunate as it is, it is her baby and if she loves it that is her right. I just wish people would contemplate having to introduce themselves with the name they give their child. Or do the Starbucks test, I would assume Bluebonnet would get some strange reactions.

It’s not my style at all, but even putting that aside, when I saw the title of the thread I immediately thought of the butter company.

Butter company aside, isn’t a bonnet the hood of a car? It just sounds like a blue car to me.

It seems silly to me. [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] on its own would be better, or as a nickname for [name_f]Bonita[/name_f].

Like a bonnet that is blue? ._. I strongly dislike it, sorry.

I really can’t see this as a name… sorry. it sounds made-up and clunky.

Bluebonnet makes me think of a hat, so it’s a bit ‘[name_m]Little[/name_m] [name_u]Red[/name_u] Riding Hood’ for my taste.

That said, there’s a conventional-sounding nickname, so I don’t think it’s impossible name to live with. If your sister and her partner (if relevant) love it, it’s probably best just to be as supportive as you can.

If she asks for your advice or opinion, though, you can certainly give it (kindly). As others have said, perhaps you could mention that you think it’s a bit much, and offer some names you think she might like (maybe ask what she likes about Bluebonnet, and try to think of some other names that might fit).

If she likes fairly uncommon flower names with conventional nicknames, for instance, some suggestions might be [name_f]Bluebell[/name_f], Rosebud, [name_f]Primrose[/name_f], [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f], [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f], [name_f]Camellia[/name_f] etc.

If she doesn’t like your suggestions, it’s probably best just to say ‘OK’, acknowledge that it’s a pretty flower, mention that [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] will be a nice nickname, and leave it at that. Ultimately, you don’t want her (or your niece) to feel like you dislike the bub’s name - suggestions are one thing, but attempting to talk her out of it might put strain on your relationship.

Good luck, and congratulations to your sister.

Bluebonnet? Why not Redhood or Purplescarf? It will seem absurd to people whose first language isn’t English, or those who don’t know of the flower bluebonnet. :confused:

I really really don’t like this name and I’d be worried that the child will be laughed at or will hate her name. But it’s your sister’s future child so ultimately it’s up to her

Well, to play devil’s advocate, bluebonnet is a very lovely type of flower. And the eastern bluebonnet parrot in Australia has beautiful feathers.

That being said, there is also a brand of margarine called [name_u]Blue[/name_u] Bonnet. So, maybe not everything is better with a blue bonnet on it (I hope someone gets that joke).

I don’t hate the name. It feels like it could be the name of a classic southern belle (little [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] [name_u]Blue[/name_u] [name_m]Butler[/name_m] from Gone With The Wind comes to mind). But, I personally wouldn’t name a future daughter Bluebonnet.

Actually, speaking of GWtW, if you’re worried about your sister potentially using the name some day, maybe [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] [name_u]Blue[/name_u] could be a better alternative. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a thought.

It’s definitely out there!

I have to say, I didn’t even realise it was a flower name until I googled it. I haven’t heard of the butter company either though. My first thought, weirdly, was that it sounds quite similar to the alcoholic drink Dubonnet.

Personally, I dislike the name (I just think it’s too much), but [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] is a sweet, solid nickname which could make it wearable. [name_m]Plenty[/name_m] of other very unusual flower and nature names are being used now so in theory I suppose Bluebonnet is no different - the problem that I have with it is that it is very “wordy”, as opposed to something like [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] or [name_f]Peony[/name_f] which just brings to mind the flower. And despite the controversy on this thread over the description of names as “childish”, I have to say that the “bonnet” bit does give that impression to me - sorry! It’s a bit too sweet for me, though generally I agree that all names age because their bearers age. On the plus side, there is quite a bit of nickname potential with Bluebonnet if she ever feels like a change.

[name_f]Bluebell[/name_f] feels perhaps slightly more wearable to me. Still sweet, quirky and nature-inspired, but a bit more grounded. She’d lose the nickname option of [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f], though. And this thread has reminded me of how much I love Lupin! ([name_f]Lulu[/name_f]?) Or Larkspur ([name_f]Lark[/name_f]?)