How I Named My Baby: Pippa Georgia Bea

Rebecca Norman, a sales associate, and Mat Norman, an interiors manager, live in the English market town of Wimborne Minster with their three children.

Their youngest child, a daughter named Pippa Georgia Bea, was born on September 18th, 2020. Below, we talk to Rebecca about how she and Mat chose the baby name Pippa for their daughter.

How long did it take you to decide on a name?

My whole pregnancy! We took three names into the delivery room, all with various middle names. We finally settled on Pippa's name when she was three days old. I was about to announce her arrival and we had two options for middle names, either Georgia Bea or Tabitha Maeve, and Mat said to me he liked both, and I could decide. I wrote them both and gravitated more towards Georgia Bea — it just felt right.

When did you know you found “The Name?”

I felt a lot of pressure this time as Pippa is my last baby so I wanted to get it completely right! Her name changed multiple times during the course of my pregnancy. One balmy late August evening I was watching a documentary about Kate Middleton and Prince William, and the name Pippa was said. I always suggested the name to pregnant friends and it always made my never-ending 'names lists.' In that moment I knew I'd forever regret not using it if I didn't now.

What strategies did you use to narrow down your name choices?

I wanted something that was short, fit with Henry and Tiggy, and met my criteria of a connection to our family and the Royal family, and something with a hint of nostalgia.

Did you ask anyone for advice about baby names?

My mother was helpful and always plumped for the name Pippa. I was worried that we’d change our minds at a later date — I can be very indecisive! But she told me I “always came back to Pippa.”

A few friends were excellent sound boards and made some great suggestions, but I think they got a bit fed up with me constantly changing my mind!

Is your baby named after anyone?

Bea is a tribute to my Nana, who sadly passed away in May last year. She was known as Queen B. It’s also a connection to Tiggy, as Bea is short for Beatrix (Potter) who wrote The Tale of Tiggy-Winkle.

What name did you hate to let go of?

Posey — it just didn't feel like the right fit with Henry and Tiggy. Such a beautiful name though. Also Clover, I just couldn't shorten it like I can Tiggy.

Mat really liked Posey and I also loved Clover, but we mutually loved Pippa and felt it worked with our other children's names the best.

My younger self would have liked Nancy or Mabel maybe Elfie, something more whimsical.

How do you feel about your own name and how did that influence your choice?

My full name is Rebecca Rose and though Rose is a popular middle name now, it wasn't when I was born. I looked at names imagining myself being called them and introducing myself, and Pippa Georgia Bea just rolled off the tongue as easily as Rebecca Rose.

Was it important to choose a name that ‘matched’ your baby’s older siblings’ — or future siblings’ — names?

Very!  I looked specifically at time periods for the names being first recorded and found all three were both first noted in around the 14th century. Our children’s full names are:

Henry William Croft

Tiggy Clara Rose

Pippa Georgia Bea

And I think they complement each other beautifully!

Did your baby’s older siblings have opinions or suggestions for names?

Yes, very much so! Henry wanted a brother and had a list of Paw Patrol-related names! But had the baby been a boy, he’d most likely be George or Jonty. It was easier to come up with girl names — I had six or seven strong contenders!

Which partner was pickier about baby names?

Most definitely myself! My husband would say if he felt strongly about a name but otherwise, he let me come up with all sorts of combinations.

What was the most surprising part of the baby name process?

That I found it so hard third time around! At one point, Pippa was Posey, Dottie, Mabel, and Clover! I agonised over all of them but the one name I couldn't let go of was Pippa.

Thank you so much, Rebecca!

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