I'm wondering, Agnes, cute or frumpy?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2007
I'm wondering, Agnes, cute or frumpy?
38
Sun, 06-10-2007 - 9:33pm

Hi again everybody,

I originally asked about what people liked Audrey, Ashley, Adriana, Agnes or Genieve (Genevieve)etc? I want to thank people for their responses. My DH and I were having trouble deciding on a name especially, DH. We decided on Agnes (family name) and now there is an outcry from family and friends that it is mean to name our baby this. What do people think? I don't want her made fun of on the playground or later in life. Our thoughts were that the name is old fashioned and therefore time to revive it.

Let me know. Help!

KA

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 1:45pm

I agree that many old-fashioned names are returning & many sound beautiful. Agnes, on the other hand, isn't beautiful IMO. I do think of it as a somewhat ugly name (I'm sorry but these are my feelings about it since you asked). Even Ruth & Alice, which I don't care for, are much nicer than Agnes.

The other names you listed are so much prettier, although they ARE much more popular as well. None of the names are my style but Audrey & Adriana are great names & Genevieve comes in a close 3rd.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2003
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 2:26pm

oh the perils of letting family & friends know what you are thinking of naming the baby before said baby arrives! Once a baby is here & named people are FAR less likely to say anything negative out loud. I have resorted to sending out fake list with names I know will really freak MIL & other relatives out ;p

On to Agnes...
I love it & was toying around with using it as a mn. But the most important thing is that you & DH both love it. That in & of it's self is a huge task. I know so many Jennifers & Michelles that hate their name & would have loved to be anything but their given name. So go for it. Don't regret the chance to use a name you love. And the whole teasing thing is a crock. Kids can tease about anything, using a "safe" name like Madison is not armor against teasing.

The other names are nice too, but don't seem to be as special to you as Agnes. Good Luck!

Andi


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 3:35pm

I know so many Jennifers & Michelles that hate their name & would have loved to be anything but their given name. So go for it. Don't regret the chance to use a name you love. And the whole teasing thing is a crock. Kids can tease about anything, using a "safe" name like Madison is not armor against teasing.


SUCH a good point ... couldn't have said it better myself! ;) Having grown up one of many girls named "Kelly," I can honestly tell you I always wished I had a less common name (and secretly envied my sister Dara's LOL). A classic name that's not overused is almost always a good bet. And with the variety of names being used these days, it's highly likely she'll even appreciate her name sooner, rather than later. ;)


And like others have said, a unique name is no more potential for teasing than an overly-common one. After all, Madison can easily be called "medicine," Matthew "door mat," Christopher "Christine" or Olivia "Olive Oyl." I'd be much more concerned about obvious teasing fodder -- an unfortunate fn/ln combo like Porter Bahti or Layla Downs, for example -- than simply worrying a child with an old-fashioned name would get made fun of. It's simply not foreseeable (and even if it happens, it'd probably happen regardless of her name).


Still loving Agnes! ;)


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 4:39pm

My cousin is named Agnes (Agnieszka - Awg-nesh-ka - actually) and it took me awhile to warm up to the name but I actually really love it now! She goes by Aga (aw-ga) which I think is adorable. :)

KT

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-11-2007
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 8:24pm
It kind of reminds me of an old lady but maybe you can give it new life!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 8:39pm

Agnes is a fantastic name!!!

It is on my short list along with Agatha and I think it is just lovely. Little Agnes?
She's strong, smart, and full of fun.

While you are checking out all of the Agnes role models - Agnes Gund is pretty cool too!

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/reasonstoloveny/15393/

As for getting teased on the playground, who is going to pick on her? Evelyn? Edie? I think she'll be at the head of the vintage name trend.

Good luck and enjoy.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 9:39pm

"I'd simply disregard the negative comments for exactly what they are -- rude remarks by people who obviously have no clue about baby naming trends. They're probably the sort that think Emma is also too old-fashioned, or that Madison is some quaint new discovery. LOL Just reassure yourself that their tastes simply aren't as developed as your own, and they'd probably dislike anything with even a modicum of class or style."

First, let me say that you shouldn't assume to know my tastes or predilections just because I have a different opinion than you do regarding the name Agnes. I do not care for the name. It's that simple. It's not wrong or "less developed" than your liking it. It is simply a differing opinion, and a valid one at that. The originator of this thread asked a simple question and it's clear she wants honest responses...not just rah-rah support for a name she is obviously struggling with on some level. That, in and of itself, is usually a sign.

I don't pretend to think my opinion is better or more informed than yours is. I ask that you try to do the same.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 9:43pm

Agnes is fabulous! So many cute nns, a lineage that names like Madison and Kaylee can only envy, distinctive, charming, and (imo) totally ripe for revival. Far from frumpy, I think Agnes is cutting edge, and you are well ahead of the pack in even considering it. I strongly disagree with the pp that lumped Agnes in with Hortense and Bertha. To me, Agnes is a much closer sister to Elizabeth, Catherine, Anne, and Emma--a fine, traditional (perhaps currently undervalued) beauty.

FWIW, Agnes is not as tease-worthy as some other RL names I've seen, such as Reagan-Kennedy, Layonna, and Precious. Kids can and will find something to tease about with almost any name; I was teased for being an Alison.

Another Agnes to add to your collection of notable Agneses is Anne Bronte's Agnes Gray, heroine of her first novel. The name Senga (Agnes spelled backwards) is also used, if you want an alternative...but I really hope you'll use Agnes!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-11-2007
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 10:18pm

Wow, this is the first time I have seen someone consider the name Agnes. What a bold choice. My favorite nn is Aggie.

good luck,
Brooke

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 10:40pm
Go with your gut. You and your DH both "decided on" Agnes, so stick with it! My mom didn't like the name we picked out for our daughter, but now she couldn't imagine her with any other name. If it seems right to you and DH, it probably is. And although I like the nn mentioned, I think Agnes holds its own without one. The family will get used to it. One look at that sweet little thing, and they won't care if you name her Doodyhead.