Listen, just because the Millicent debate was a long time ago doesn’t mean you can’t still vote. But right now we have another name to consider. I realize I am not pregnant and so have no reason to be thinking of baby names, but it’s a hobby, okay?
All right, get ready to speak your mind on my new Baby Girl Name of Great Interest. I’ve been saying it again and again for two days now, and I think I love it. As with Millicent, this makes me feel a little shy about presenting it to you, since maybe you will say “BLEH! YECK! GROSS! Oh, I HATE it!” But bravely I tell it to you anyway: Beatrix.
Discuss.
I LOVE THIS GAME! I thought I was the only person who did this! For the record, my baby girl name is Delaney Rae.
On to the discussion at hand. I think the name Beatrix is lovely. Very classic. Very upper crust. I also think Millicent is a beautiful name.
I can’t wait to read the other comments!
Hmmm. Makes me think of Peter Rabbit for some reason ;-)
I maintain there is an ick factor to Millicent. Unfortunately I don’t LOVE Beatrix but like it better than Millicent. I do like the Italian version of Beatrix – Beatrice (pronounced “Bay-ah-tree-chay” only not so harsh as it would seem). That I like very much.
POTTER!
I also think of Bea Arthur but I think she is a Beatrice?
I would always think of Potter if I heard the name.
Ummmm…I’m not diggin’ it. Sorry. I immediately think of Peter Rabbit.
Then if I shorten it to Bea…I am reminded of the fact that I am allergic to bees.
Can’t win for losin’~
makes me think of beatrix potter!
Potter, as in both Peter Rabbit and Harry- it’s too close to Bellatrix. Either way, not my favorite.
I suppose in post-Potter years we will forget and not yell, “Lestrange!” at hearing this name. I have to say I’m sort of meh on the name, I think I like it without the x, Beatrice, or something.
As a purveyor of bringing classic names back (my daughter is Charlotte), I have to agree with everyone else. I think Potter in two ways: one for Peter Rabbit and one for Harry.
My current obsession is Genevieve, but pronounced the French way (john-ve-ev). I had a roommate in college who said it this way and loved it since then. I think that will be our next baby’s name if we have a girl. And if she hates how we say it, she can be called “jenna-vive” or shorten it to Gen.
I think the Beatrix Potter association is inevitable, but not negative.
I like it, but I like it even more that it lends itself to be nicknamed “Trixie”
No, I don’t think it’s negative either. What would you use for a shortened version? Bea? or Trixie?
I think Trixie is either the cutest thing or the trampiest thing. LOL
Huh. I didn’t think of Peter Rabbit at all. Or Harry Potter. (But I don’t read those.) I just thought, “I like that name, too!” because it’s on the list of names I like. It’s not in the top three tier but might be in the top five/top ten tier. (I’m like that.) I liked Millicent, too. Beatrix seems very feminine and lady-like, soft and relaxed and quiet but strong.
I didn’t know there were OTHER PEOPLE who consider naming babies a hobby. My husband has rolled his eyes and played along since BEFORE we were married. And when I do get pregnant? It goes like this: pee on stick, start feverishly discussing names. But he’s no fun, because he just isn’t INTO it. But my BFF (East Coast Anne) obliges me though.
I do like Beatrix. I’m sold on old fashioned names. And also on more unique but not made up names. And I already told you that I know a A-Dor-Able baby Millicent.
What other names do you love? I could play this all day.
I like it. I don’t love it, but I think it would grow on me. The Potter association is inevitable, but, as you say, not a bad thing. If I had to choose, I like Beatrix better than Millicent.
I really don’t like either, but if I had to choose between Millicent and Beatrix, I guess I’d go with Beatrix.
I guess I’m less traditionalist when it comes to names, though! My favorites are Sophie and Grace.
I was going to say that I liked Beatrix, because I liked the nickname Bea. When someone said Trixie I wasn’t so sure…but it has grown on me.
I like Millicent too, but probably because I like the nickname Milli.
I like Beatrix ok, but I think any little kid with that name is going to have some challenges on the playground. But then again, with all the really unusual names these days Beatrix might be considered more normal than some others.
I actually prefer Millicent to Beatrix, I think.
Beatrice is pretty, but for me Beatrix sounds kinda hard… I think it is the x.
I do like Millicent.
Jenny H. – I love the name Delaney!
AndreAnna- For a nickname I prefer Bea, but…I wonder if I could spell it Bee? Because as a child I thought Bea was pronounced “Bay,” and I can’t seem to shake that. Also, the plump little bumblebee association would be cute. I agree about Trixie! I can’t decide if it’s darling or a deal-breaker. I love the name Genevieve–that’s been on our girl list and was almost Elizabeth’s name. I like both pronunciations, but I don’t like messing around with explanations so I’d go with the English-speaking pronunciation rather than the French-speaking one.
Black Sheeped- That’s what I think of the name, too! I think it would age well: it would be cute on a baby, but also good on a 20-something, a 30-something, a middle-aged woman, an old lady.
Marie Green- AAAAA! Me too! When I found out I was pregnant unexpectedly this last time, I sat there in a total daze, completely surprised–and within an hour had made a preliminary name list and was leafing through a book. Do you have The Baby Name Wizard? That is my absolute favorite naming book. Paul isn’t much into baby names, either, but my mom is, and I have two friends who will discuss baby names ENDLESSLY without tiring. Plus I have YOU GUYS.
Stacitee- I hate to introduce this issue to the conversation about a name I love, but I’m going to anyway: I wonder if the reason it has a little bit of an unpleasant sound is that it brings to mind the sound of the word “dominatrix”?
I have bee obsessed with baby names since I was little. I named everything.
I don’t mind Millie but I’m not into Millicent. I like Beatrix. I love: Audrey, Kate, Anna, Corinne, Julianna, Amelia
To those that associate Beatrix with Harry Potter- the character’s name is
“Bellatrix,” not Beatrix.
Personally, I love the name. I don’t associate it with Peter Rabbit, oddly enough. I actually think of Beatrix Kiddo from Kill Bill.
Beatrix…I like it. Actually the more I read the comments and read the name over and over, the more I liked it. My initial reaction would be to go with Beatrice (a little softer ending) and use Bea for a nickname. Love that! I do sorta like Millicent. I’ve like Millie for a long time since I read a book with a character by the name Millie. I always thought that would be a good girls name.
And someone else mentioned Charlotte and Genevive. I love BOTH of those! Very classic, elegant names.
I love this discussion.
you know what, my Great Aunt was Beatrix and went by Trix her whole life. Not even Trixie as a little girl. I like it!
I think Beatrix is a sweet name.
I love baby names too, they are so much fun with so many possibilities!
Beatrix reminds me of Ramona Quibley’s sister in the Beverly Cleary books of my childhood. They nicknamed her Beezus, which is kinda fun huh?
Hmm now I am thinking of the name Ramona. That’s kinda catchy.
My fun girl name I like at the moment is Piper. Love it.
I really like it. There is definitely the rabbit association but they are cute, non offensive, classic rabbits and so what the hey. It has a very sweet tone and I could definitely picture it. I also think that although Beatrice is nice, Beatrix has that slight edge to it that makes it more modern sounding.
I am partial to old-fashioned sounding girl names so Beatrix is right up my alley. Like honeybecke I was immediately reminded of Ramona Quimby’s sister Beatrice.
If this baby is a girl, we’ll be giving her my late grandmother’s beautiful and old-fashioned name.
I LOVE this topic!
I dig it. My girl name is Adelaide. Hubby hates it says it’s too old. I suppose it’s good we are having a boy so there wasn’t an arguement. :)
PS Since I know you are totally into baby names, our boy’s name is going to be Rocco Nicholas.
I like Millicent better. For some reason the mix of Beat and an X on the end makes Beatrix seem hard. And I think of Rene Zellweger (sp?) because didn’t she play Miss Potter?
Hmm, my friend’s daughter is Beatrice (Bea for short) and I got used to that but Beatrix reminds me of Bellatrix from Harry Potter who was a very mean character so I get a bad vibe from the name. Sorry–I’m glad you aren’t pregnant.
My sis in law is having a girl on Tuesday and I can’t say that I love the name but I’m biting my tongue (hard)
Oh, not I’m glad you’re not pregnant because I don’t want you to be pregnant, I’m glad you aren’t pregnant and actually considering the name because then I would feel bad for saying it’s not my fav.
Just wanted to clarify–my comment sounded mean when I reread!!
Ok, I’ll stop now!
One of my favourite games!
I do like Beatrix. It’s at the same time regal and a cooler, updated version of Beatrice.
I like them both. Would you want Millicent to stay Millicent, or would you have a nickname, like Millie?
I think of Peter Rabbit first, grandma-ish person second.
I don’t think of Bellatrix–it seems like a completely different name to me, like Lucifer and Jennifer. But I can see how the association would be unpleasant if it DID occur to you: I like the name Violet, except it makes me think of the word violent–and that one thing kind of ruins the name for me even though I realize they’re totally different words.
The old-ladyness of the names is part of their appeal to me: the “new names” are usually a blend of genuinely new names (Cadence and Madison, for examples) and revived old names (Emma and Violet and Henry and Charlotte and Millicent and Beatrix, for examples).
LindsayC- “Trix” is good! I like it! It’s sassy! (Also: for kids!)
TrinaN- You SO called it: I IMMEDIATELY wondered what your boy name was!
Melissa- I got it! I mean, I read it the right way!
Nowheymama- I could go either way. Actually, I’d probably go BOTH ways, calling her both Millicent AND Milly (or both Beatrix and Bee).
That Lucifer/Jennifer comment made me laugh.
And ooh, Charlotte! Have we discussed that one yet, because I REALLY love it. Better than Beatrix or Millicent!
Beatrix is cute. And I like “Trix” for a nickname.
The old-ish name I love (and I think it’s from the super-sappy “Hope Floats”) is Bernice. Maybe I just love the little girl who played her in the movie.
i could even get away with naming our girl (if we have a girl) Bernice — it’s hubby’s grandma’s name!
I still love Millicent, but just LIKE Beatrix. I think I personally prefer the nickname Bea to Trixie though.
Another name that I think is poised for a comeback is Gertrude (my great-grandmother’s name). I like it, but don’t think it will fly at our house.
Bernice is cute. And Bernie is ADORABLE.
Um, no.
velocibadgergirl: my daughter’s name is sophie!:)
My gut reaction was to think of Bellatrix too. Strange…
okay, I’m more partial to Beatrice rather than Beatrix. But, I had an italian friend named Beatrice and as someone mentioned the pronunciation was “Bay-uh-tree-chay” with a roll of the R. I think Bea as a nickname “Bee-uh” or “Bay-uh” (as in italian) would be adorable. As for Millicent, i like it but I don’t like Millie, of course nor do I like Ellie or Elsie for little girls (nor Ellen or Helen). I just hope to find something unique as my parents did with me. Of course my mother’s goal with my name was to find a name that could be pronounced in both English & Portuguese (my parents native language) and that wouldn’t be easily shortened (ie at school). And so I am: Karina Sylvia (1st & middle names).
these discussions have started at our house (i’m 11 weeks pregnant). sadly my husband only will discuss it for like 10 minutes a week. because, he says, we have months to figure it out!
i like beatrix better than millicent. but my husband also immediately thought of bellatrix when he heard the name beatrix- like many other people did here. it is interesting to see the associations different people have with names isn’t it?
I am a big fan of Beatrix. Not so much a fan of Millicent- actually not a fan at all.
But I shouldn’t talk- my baby girl name of choice is Thea.
I like the name. It does bring to mind Peter Rabbit, but so what? That’s a classic as well.
Very classic.
Not one I would have considered because it would sound awful with my husband’s last name (well, now my last name!).
I think it’s important to know what the last name will be before making a final vote. (Not that I want to know your last name, just saying…)
love it!
A friend of a friend’s name is Beatrix and her nickname is Bix. I think that is kind of neat and uncommon sounding. She is a Brit.
But I am not digging the X sound at the end of the name.
Being pregnant right now, I am loving all the name discussions on your site!!! Not sure about Beatrix, but Millicent is cute. Although it kind of reminds me of a millipede (maybe that’s the ick factor someone mentioned in an earlier comment?).
Beatrix LeStrange. Wasn’t she the half giant hagrid had a thing for in Harry Potter?
I named by daughter Beatrix in 2002 and when I would tell people they were silent. NOW – anytime I call for my BeBoo, the mall, the street, at school, people stop me and say – oh my what an amazing name. And she IS a Beatrix in every way. My BittyKitty… and then she was immortalized in Quantin Tarrintino’s KILL BILL. I loved the X. It’s like a tough super hero. The fit with my BeBe is perfect. She is 6 now (almost 7) and I can’t see her with any other name.
I hope you chose it – I rarely hear “oh like Beatrix Potter” or if I do hear it its not negative.
Love live the Bit Bo! My Beatrix!
OK, we had our girl! and took a while to name her, but it’s done: Beatrix Persephone. Her middle name was nearly Genevieve but Persephone won out.
i had a girl 4 weeks ago and called her Beatrix Mathilda Rain. some people go silent when i tell them. but i dont care. most people have chav names nowadays, and i didnt want that. i wanted to call her mississippi story, but he wouldnt let me, or dandelion, but shes definately a beatrix
I am pregnant right now and having a terrible time picking names with my husband. We decided not to find out what we are having and it has made things even more difficult. I really like the name beatrix, and plan on nicknaming her Bebe ala Kill Bill. We have called the baby “Bebe” the whole time I have been pregnant so it just seems to “fit”. Now the only question is middle name!
I know this conversation is very old but I googled “Beatrix baby name” because it is my favourite and I wanted to see what cyber space was saying about it. I love that it can be shortened to Bette, Bettie, Bea or Trixie. (Oddly enough, I don’t like Beatrice at all.) I also love that it’s not in the top 100 names of the last 5 years like all those gazillions of Sophies, Graces, Isabellas, Olivias etc. I also adore Beatrix Potter so have no qualms at all with that association. Anyway, I’m due in 14 weeks and Beatrix Anne looks like it will be the winner. (2nd choice is Violet Anne).
My name is Beatrix, and I think it’s an awesome name (I am a little biased). Yes its rare to have someone be able to spell it, everyone thinks it’s beatrik, or beatrice or beatriks??. But idk, I saw Beatrice (Bee – a – tree – chay) and that is a wonderful name too.
My daughter’s name is Millicent (age 9) and we call her Millie. My son’s name is Dashiell (age 5), and though we slip and call him Dash at times, he prefers Dashiell. We would consider Beatrix or Clementine for a new baby girl, with nicknames of Trixie and Cleo.
I have both a Millicent and a Beatrix :)
(and a George and a Henry)