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

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2007
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 10:14am
I think Agnes is cute! I name my 2yr old daughter Lucille, after my grandmother. Some people roll there nose up at it and some people LOVE IT!!! Her sisters call her Lucy. You could give Agnes a nick name and let her choose, when she older to be called her nickname or Agnes. I don't regret naming my little girl a old fashion name. She is a original! Everybody has the same name, how boring!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2007
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 11:05am
I have to admit that Agnes is not my favorite name, and some point, she will probably get some negative comments about it. However, kids are kids, and I don't think that there are any children who escape childhood without being teased about something. I knew Jennifers and Kimberlys who were teased just as much as those of us who have obscure names. Besides, you could give her a common name and still get comments about it. My son's name is Luke, and he always gets the obligatory Star Wars and Tommy Boy references when he meets someone new.
If you really love Agnes, then go for it. She'll grow into it and make it her own. I would suggest not telling your family what you are going to name her ahead of time because someone will always be unhappy with it -- no matter what you choose.
I do prefer Agnes to Agatha -- just to give you my two cents worth. I also think Mary Agnes sounds very pretty.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2007
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 11:07am
I'm sorry, I wish I could say that I like this name, but I don't. It sounds very old lady like and frumpy. It's nice that you want to honor someone in your family with this name .. I just wish I could get passed the conotation I have in my head.
Avatar for dr_kae
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 12:05pm

I don't think it's mean (I can think of far crueler things--longer, more obscure, or more culturally loaded things to begin with.) It is old-fashioned, which might be what's drawing the fire from your relatives, who also have that family tie to look at (they're remembering Aunt/Grandma/Cousin Agnes as an older figure.) But there are a lot of old-fashioned names coming back that ten years ago would've drawn fire as being cruel and now aren't run-of-the-mill, but are accepted. Hazel, Ada, Millicent, and Beatrice are all starting to show up in birth announcements and Ava and Stella are downright common when, again, they used to get "the eye" for being "too old-fashioned."

Now, admittedly, Agnes isn't to my taste. I prefer Agatha (I got hooked on it thanks to "Minority Report.") But I don't think it would be a cruel name to use--I think there are cute nns that you can use with it like Aggie and Nessa (I'd skip Nessie, especially since a new tape of the Loch Ness monster has surfaced.) And I probably would soften it with a familiar middle name, just in case your daughter isn't comfortable with a name she has to answer questions about a lot. But I think that really goes for any unusual name--just in case your child isn't quite as adventurous as you are.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2006
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 12:32pm

It hasn't always been this way, but I DO like Agnes. I read a book (can't remember what it was now) where the main charater's favorite aunt was Agnes. She called her Aunt Aggie and wanted to name her daughter after her aunt. I think that's when I changed my mind about it. I thought Aggie would be cute on a little girl. Since it's in your family tree, and you and DH both like it, I would absolutely consider using it. Keep it! :)

I agree with the PP that said they could see a little Anges holding her own and running around in the yard! And if you did use the nn Aggie she would fit in with the Addies and Maddies, but be just different enough. She would be one of a kind! I like all the nn options or the option of using the full name Agnes. I'm sure it will be cute on her! :o)

I think it does have a more antique feel than other old-fashioned names that are being used, but that's not a bad thing. I don't think it sounds frumpy at all. And some of the names others mentioned as names they wouldn't use for their DD, I really like (others, not so much!) but basically, we're just talking about this one name, Agnes, that does have special meaning for you and DH. I think your family will grow to love the name you choose for your daughter as much as they love her.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 2:26pm
Per your book comment, just wanted to mention that the baby's name in Nanny McPhee is also Aggie (but short for Agatha). And you're right ... it was so cute to here her "siblings" (in the movie LOL) calling her "Aggie." ;) Definitely made it seem that much more interesting and approachable, even on an infant.

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Avatar for prinsessa
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 5:43pm
I don't love the name, but it is up to you and DH what you want to name your baby.

Sarah...mommy to Janessa and Julian


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 06-13-2007 - 9:48am
Its not my personal style but family names trump personal style in my book. I think its great and refreshing! They'll get over her name and love it!

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