Parents took a blow torch to my name list...

See the results of this poll: My top 4

Respondents: 118 (This poll is closed)

  • Phoebe : 35 (24%)
  • Rose (nn Rosie) : 44 (30%)
  • Felicity : 42 (29%)
  • Scarlett: 24 (17%)

I like [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] and [name_f]Rose[/name_f]!

I wouldn’t dismiss your favourite names based on what your parents think - they had their chance to name kids, now it’s yours. Everyone’s got different tastes, you and your parents included, and ultimately if you and your OH can settle on the perfect name, your parents, in-laws and everyone else will just have to accept your choice. The more opinions you take on board the harder the decision will be, and you shouldn’t settle for something you don’t love as much just to please others.

That said:

[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] - [name_u]Love[/name_u] this, feminine without being too frilly
[name_f]Rose[/name_f] - Like this too, though I prefer [name_f]Rosa[/name_f].
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] - A bit frilly for my tastes, but nothing wrong with it. Has a variety of nickname options too - [name_f]Lissie[/name_f], Fliss, [name_f]Flick[/name_f], etc.
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] - Like this.

[name_f]Chloe[/name_f] -“that’s too popular” - It depends how much popularity bothers you. I wouldn’t dismiss a name you like just because your parents think it’s common - check stats for your area.
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f] -“cat name” said my dad - Cats and dogs have a lot of human names these days. I wouldn’t dismiss this unless you actually know people with cats called [name_f]Cleo[/name_f]
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] -nn [name_f]Immy[/name_f] is way too close to my NN [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] - [name_f]Immy[/name_f] isn’t the only nickname - [name_f]Gennie[/name_f], Mog, [name_f]Midge[/name_f], [name_f]Imo[/name_f], [name_u]Mo[/name_u] could all work perfectly well.
[name_f]Jade[/name_f] -Dad “[name_f]Jane[/name_f]?” me: [name_f]JADE[/name_f] Dad: “[name_f]Jane[/name_f]?” Ok… I GIVE UP!! - Tell your dad to clean his ears out on this one!
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]- She’ll be called “[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]” (which is too close to [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) - It isn’t too close, and there’s always the nn [name_f]Liza[/name_f] too, but I don’t think [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] needs a nickname anyway.
[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] -She’ll be called “[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]” (which is too close to [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) Mind you, my intention was the NN [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] Then use [name_f]Lulu[/name_f], no issues there whatsoever.
[name_u]Indiana[/name_u] -Dad “that’s old and dated now” Can’t say I’ve ever recalled it being popular enough to be dated. It reminds me of the state more than anything.
[name_f]April[/name_f]/[name_f]Autumn[/name_f] - “oh…hmmm…” with looks of “What are you on?” [name_m]Just[/name_m] because they’re a little different to the rest of your list and what your parents are probably used to doesn’t mean they’re too out there to be used by any means.

With the “too close to [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]” comments, it all depends how much you’re called [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] as opposed to your full name. If it’s more of a pet name, I think it’s fine that she’s got a similar sounding pet name - how often are you going to both be referred to by that name at the same time anyway?

I love both [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] and [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], both have the same happy, sunshine feeling to me. Beautiful names, I dont think [name_f]Rose[/name_f] or [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] are as nice.

Thanks for the feedback already!!
When I’m out and about and people ask what names we’re thinking of [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] always gets a good response. Maybe it’s her destiny name.
essjay: Thanks for the detailed feedback. Our LN ends in “er” so [name_f]Rosa[/name_f] doesn’t sound as nice.

Youch! That’s some serious feedback…is their opinion very important to you? Sorry, I don’t mean for that to sound rude but if you love the name then I think you should keep it!

On the list you’ve got left:
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] - beautiful name that is known but not super common, there is no longer the fear of it being pronounced wrong either
[name_f]Rose[/name_f] - simple but beautiful! A flawless name in my opinion and I think it often gets shunned to middle place for no reason other than it sounds good and as a filler, I think it’s a waste.
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] - stunning name, beautiful meaning, and lots of lovely nicknames (I love the nicknames Lissy and [name_f]Flick[/name_f], two nicknames to suit either a girly girl or a bit of a tomboy)
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] - I’m not a fan, sorry.

The ones which have been “blow torched”:
[name_f]Chloe[/name_f] -“that’s too popular” - it’s not as popular as it once was and I think it’s such a pretty name with a pretty sound to it, it depends on whether or not popurlarity is something that bothers you.
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f] -“cat name” said my dad - I really like the name [name_f]Cleo[/name_f], I once made the same mistake as you and told my mother that I liked this name and she gave be scathing look and told me one of her friends had a dog called [name_f]Cleo[/name_f], so my daughter would hence have a dog name.
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] -nn [name_f]Immy[/name_f] is way too close to my NN [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] - I love, and will always be a fan of [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]! Stunningly beautiful! I don’t think [name_f]Immy[/name_f] and [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] will be a problem.
[name_f]Jade[/name_f] -Dad “[name_f]Jane[/name_f]?” me: [name_f]JADE[/name_f] Dad: “[name_f]Jane[/name_f]?” Ok… I GIVE UP!! - don’t give up because your dad was being silly, [name_f]Jade[/name_f] is a lovely name, not my personally cup of tea but all the same it’s your child not mine or your parents for that matter.
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]- She’ll be called “[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]” (which is too close to [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) - I’m sorry but [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] is nowhere near Smmy! I could kind of get [name_f]Immy[/name_f] but [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]! I think [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] is beautiful and spunky.
[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] -She’ll be called “[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]” (which is too close to [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) Mind you, my intention was the NN [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] - again [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] nowhere near the same! But if you are planning on nicknaming her [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] (so sweet by the way) then I don’t see the problem. [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] is so lovely and is known enough to not be weird but still she probably would be the only [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] in her class.
[name_u]Indiana[/name_u] -Dad “that’s old and dated now” - see I would say [name_u]Indiana[/name_u] was quite modern…I like [name_f]India[/name_f] aswell which can work as a cute nickname along with [name_f]Indie[/name_f].
[name_f]April[/name_f] “oh…hmmm…” with looks of “What are you on?” - I think [name_f]April[/name_f] is so gorgeous! Very pretty and suits all ages and personalities.
[name_f]Autumn[/name_f] “oh…hmmm…” with looks of “What are you on?” - pretty and would suit for the time of her birth, not my cup of tea again but nonetheless pretty.

All of my opinions are a little pointless because she is your daughter, not mine or your parents and it should be what YOU want. Your parents probably won’t care what’s she called once she’s here and they see her little face!

[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] and [name_f]Rose[/name_f] are my top two hands down. I adore them both. [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is gorgeous and [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] is spunky and charming.

[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] is quirky, happy and energetic. It has a variety of different nicknames and your parents won’t hate you.

[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] and [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] are my favourites; they are both gorgeous!

[name_f]My[/name_f] favourites are [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], and [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. Very lovely choices. And, in my opinion at least, I don’t think it matters much if your nn is close to baby’s.

Good luck, and have fun choosing a name that you really love.

I love [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] and [name_f]Eloise[/name_f]! ps- you are due on my birthday :slight_smile:

[name_f]My[/name_f] favorites from your list are [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] (Which I would not think of calling [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]. Though I don’t think [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] needs a nn either), [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Jen[/name_f], [name_u]Jem[/name_u], or [name_f]Jenny[/name_f])

I adore [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]! Also really like [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f]. [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] and [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] are two of my favorite names.

OK, so I definitely don’t agree with all your parents’ comments, but I think they have a point about the [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]/[name_f]Immy[/name_f] trap – many parents have discovered it is all too easy and ultimately not in your control for a child named [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] or [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] or [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] to start being called [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] or [name_f]Immy[/name_f]. [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] is a great name though and with effort, you can keep her name as just [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] or call her [name_f]Lolo[/name_f] or [name_f]Lolly[/name_f] – adorable.

[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] is my favorite of the Final Four (or is it Five?) [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] is gorgeous but trendy, [name_f]Rose[/name_f] gorgeous but somehow feels incomplete, and [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] is my second choice. I’m not ranking [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] among them.

Congratulations !!! :slight_smile: They’re all gorgeous names. I think either [name_f]Rose[/name_f] or [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] are pretty. All the best :slight_smile:

I think [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] or [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] would be quite lovely! :slight_smile:

Awesome feedback everyone!!
Thanks so much.
I was silly to leave my list out (smacking self). But I guess sometimes it’s good to hear what other’s think even if ultimately as many have confirmed I am the one choosing based on what suits us in our local context.
I’m going to ‘ponder’ on the blow torched names… some may reappear in the MN spot. I will also really try to soul search how I feel about the top contenders. I keep asking my belly what her name is- she hasn’t answered. Perhaps it would be easier if babies were like Cabbage Patch kids and came with a name!
[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] is definitely going back ON the list. I’ve liked that one for nearly 20 years. [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] is a cute nn and I think if we start the nn young it should stick.

Thanks again,
[name_f]Emilia[/name_f]

[name_u]LOVE[/name_u]: [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]!

[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] is also a really lovely name, but I have a strong association w/ the Friends character–which you may not though, and it’s gorgeous!

Re: [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]-- gorgeous, gorgeous name! it doesn’t need a nickname! If you must have one though, you could always make one up… Like why is [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] a nickname for [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]? I was thinking about naming a baby girl [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] and going with the nickname [name_f]Birdie[/name_f]!) So, you can have your own nickname for her, it doesn’t have to be Immie or be derived from [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] nn [name_f]Birdie[/name_f]? Adorable!

I’ve never been a fan of [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], but it sounds like it’s your favorite so maybe it is her “destiny” name. [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite from your list is [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. I think it’s a stunning name just as [name_f]Rose[/name_f], not embellished with -[name_f]Mary[/name_f] or -alie or anything. Poor [name_f]Rose[/name_f] deserves a chance in the spotlight outside the middle name spot!

I think sometimes parental feedback can be useful. The problem is that most non-name nerds just can’t tell you why they don’t like a name or give a useful opinion about it that doesn’t just reflect their personal taste/community/era. I think in your case your parents did give you some useful info. [name_f]Cleo[/name_f] is a little out there, and nicknames can be a problem. I don’t think you necessarily have to strike the names off your list though. I don’t see the nickname thing as being a big issue because of how common those nicknames are I don’t really see them being widely used (by most people) and if they are used will likely only even be used occasionally (by those that do use it). [name_f]Cleo[/name_f] I think will take a certain amount of daring to use, since it isn’t used very often for babies (not in the top 1000) but is known as a sort of character/pet name. But I don’t think you need to write it off necessarily either.

[name_f]Rose[/name_f] is a great name. Beautiful, popular but not widely used as a first, probably your safest name but by no means boring.
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] is also a great name. Sweet and spunky but I also think it matures well. Popular but not too popular.
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] is popular and I think it’s a nice name but it doesn’t age as well as your other names. It’s still has a little bit of a racy reputation I think.
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] I just don’t like. It’s a fine name but the sound just …I really don’t understand why people like it.