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Baby names

Amanda or Vanessa?

37 replies

Supersesame · 05/09/2013 20:45

I'm back with a new set! Thought Harriet was our name but once I paired it with our surname it sounds dreadful.
Both of these sound ok with surname.
I'm trying to avoid any of the current trendy names as we did with our DS. I'm so pleased we took a risk with his name so I don't mind taking a risk again!

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hawkmcqueen · 05/09/2013 21:00

Ooh, interesting! I really like Vanessa, classic and have only ever met one.

Not as keen on Amanda. Just can't picture a baby Amanda for whatever reason!

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Supersesame · 05/09/2013 21:02

I know me too. Lots of thirty something Amandas but can't picture naming my baby it!

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MirandaGoshawk · 05/09/2013 21:02

Do you like Mandy? If not, I'd go for Vanessa, but don't know how you'd shorten it - Nessie?

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NadiaWadia · 05/09/2013 21:02

I know Amanda was very popular in the 60s/70s but it is still a very pretty name, so why not? You could start the revival!

Vanessa is OK, but not as nice.

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Cassieyellow · 05/09/2013 21:50

Like Vanessa. Nessa may be nick name but nothing else.

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stretch · 05/09/2013 21:54

Vanessa. Friend was Van throughout teens (cool name), then Nessa when adult. Amanda is nice, but not keen on Mandy.

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AgadorSpartacus · 05/09/2013 21:59

I like Amanda not Mandy Shock never Mandy.

And Amanda means 'worthy of love'. Which I agree with cos I am

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mathanxiety · 05/09/2013 22:20

Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa.

Choose Vanessa.

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WinkyWinkola · 05/09/2013 22:23

Vanessa. Elegant and timeless.

Amanda is really not a nice name. Sorry to all Amandas!

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CatAmongThePigeons · 05/09/2013 22:28

I don't like either, sorry! Blush One of them is my name and I hated the bullying rhymes and it is soooo clunky to say.

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Saffyz · 05/09/2013 22:50

I like both Smile Slightly prefer Vanessa.

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DanicaJones · 06/09/2013 00:43

I like Vanessa. Not sure about Amanda as it's my name and I neither love it nor hate it. I think you don't need to wait a hundred years for it to be ok to revive a name. If you like a name from the 70s or 80s then go for it.

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DanicaJones · 06/09/2013 00:45

Cat I'm curious about the bullying rhymes. I'm an Amanda and I can't think of any, so are you a Vanessa?

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bananamummy · 06/09/2013 06:46

I love both - classic, feminine and not trendy at the moment.

I slightly prefer Amanda - so pretty and she'll be the only one with her name in her age group!

Vanessa also nice but feels more 'now'.

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Bonsoir · 06/09/2013 06:48

Vanessa

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exoticfruits · 06/09/2013 06:52

Amanda

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dreamingofsun · 06/09/2013 08:47

don't like either. both names are from our era, and having had a parent who did this to me i would not wish an 'old person's' name on any child. oh to be a susan, or karen and whatever else was popular when i was born.

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CruCru · 06/09/2013 09:40

I think Vanessa is lovely. Amanda reminds me of that woman who presented the Word.

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Bonsoir · 06/09/2013 10:22

All the Amandas I have ever known have been silly and immature. Whereas the Vanessas have been intellectual.

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EnjoyEverySandwich · 06/09/2013 11:09

Both lovely names. I've known a few of each - one Amanda went by Mandy, but the others were always just Amanda with no shortening. And none of my Vanessas were shortened. I must admit that I think Vanessa is a difficult name to carry off if you are not beautiful though! but that might just be me Blush

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bananamummy · 06/09/2013 11:39

There is no such thing as an 'old person's name'. All the middle aged Vanessas, Sarahs, Amandas etc were all children too one day!

We sometimes forget why we name our children - they are not fashion accessories that need trendy/fashionable names, they are people who need names to identify them! A Vanessa or Amanda will much more likely be remembered for her name than yet another little Ellie, Evie or Poppy.

Also, a little Amanda will grow up to have a 'cool' name whereas all her contemporaries will have typical, middle aged, 'old' names that so many of you seem to worry about!

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Supersesame · 06/09/2013 13:13

I tend to agree. I would not like my child's age to be identifiable by her name, which it could be with the Evies and Lilys of today.
Opinion is very divided on these two names. I'm veering towards Vanessa. Only have DH to convince now.

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Littlecherublegs · 06/09/2013 13:23

I prefer Vanessa.

Amanda is ok though will inevitably get shortened to Mandy which I dont like. (though saying that, now I think about it, I know 2 Amanda's who only ever get called Amanda!)

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Gowaygoway · 06/09/2013 13:29

I'm a Vanessa and I like it. Most friends call me Nessa or Ness and I don't mind them either. 2 of my best friends are Amandas. One is only known as Amanda and the other is known by nickname Millie. I'd love to meet a baby Vanessa!

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sleepywombat · 06/09/2013 13:37

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