Elsa - a reasonable name?!

[featherbag]

My DH and I both love the name Elsa if our first DC (due November) is a girl. I'm 30, DH is 28. My parents both think 'everyone' will immediately think of the lion cub from Born Free when they hear the name Elsa. Neither my DH or I, or any of our friends, make that link as most of us have never seen Born Free!!! For my mum, the mental link to the film is so strong she thinks the name is unusable, but I love love love the name, it's the first one that just felt 'right' when my DH and I discussed it. What does everyone think?

[squeak2392]

Lol, perfectly fine.
I think I've seen Born Free (obviously didn't make much of an impression on me), but either way, it's a perfectly normal name - a lot stranger on a lion than a little girl if you ask me!

[thisisyesterday]

it's lovely.

i will admit to thinking momentarily of the lion, but I think for your daughter it won't be an issue at all! no-one she grows up with will have heard of it
and even if they have.. doesn';t matter! elsa was a nice lion lol

i like Elsie too

[choirmum]

Beautiful name and I don't think the film connection matters in the slightest!

[LisMcA]

I'm 29 (nearly 30) and I couldn't have named the lion in Born Free.

Elsa is lovely, if you love it use it. Who cares if an animal 30 odd years ago had the same name!

FWIW if we all went down your mums road, there would be no Wellards, Willies, Schmicheals, Goldies, Bonnies, Sheps well you get my drift! :o

[BikeRunSki]

It's a nice name, and even if people make the lion connection, so what? If they know you enough to matter, they will soon start to connect it with you, not a 40 year old film!

I am considering Ailsa for pink bump.

[birdofthenorth]

Also nearly 30 & no idea what Born Free is, & I watch a lot my fair share if telly!

Elsa is a gorgeous name. Use it. Forget the lion club. What matters is what your baby's generation associate with a name (in terms of avoiding teasing etc) not your mum's. None of her classmates will have heard of the lion- they are too young to know about Simba!

[YummyHoney]

I immediately thought 'lion' when I read your post - but if you love the name, go for it.

[exoticfruits]

I thought 'born free' straight away-but I am older than average on here.

If you like it go for it-much better than the truly dreadful Elsie.

[featherbag]

The only 'link' it has for me is making me think of a gorgeous indian nurse I work with whose name is shortened to Elsa! I think the moment my mum mentioned Born Free is the first time the existence of the film has ever entered my conscious mind! Seems to be my parents' generation and upwards are the only people who link the name to a lion, my generation and downwards don't seem to make that link at all. Anyway, it's tough because if this bump turns out to be a little lady, she's called Elsa. End of.

[TillyIpswitch]

I'm 37 and I though of the lion, but, I really don't think you should let that stop you. It's a beautiful, elegant, classic name.

And anyway, once your little Elsa arrives, she will become the Elsa. :)

P.S. I know of a 3 or 4 YO called Elsa - it's in absolutely no way an unusable name.

[TillyIpswitch]

Oh, and agree with fruits - immeasurably better than Elsie!!

[MarySueFTW]

She will get people of a certain age singing 'Boooorn Freee... as free as the wiiiind blooows.'

But I think thats a price worth paying, its a nice name x

[lizzieloubee1]

I think of the girl in a Jacqueline Wilson novel, but she was a nice, funny girl so it's fine.

I like Ailsa as well

[jellybeans]

I love it.

[sittinghippo]

Lovely name, and was one I had on my shortlist. And so what if people think of the lion, it was a lovely film and a lovely lion!
It's like the name Juliet, I think it is a very pretty name, but surely when someone says it everyone thinks of the most famous Juliet in the world? And she killed herself. Doesn't make it a bad name.

[Hedwig3]

Elsa sometimes makes me think of the lion but i still like it, that shouldn't put you off

[SloganLogan]

Yes, some people will think of the lion cub, and they'll all think they are being original when they make lion jokes! But if you can live with this then go for it :)

[LittleDoe]

I've got it on my list too. Go for it.

[LittleDoe]

Should have said "our" list....(but really it's mine....)

[Halogen]

It's a lovely name and I don't think being associated with a lioness is really that awful. They are beautiful, strong, graceful creatures.

[lottytheladybird]

We were going to call our baby Elsa if we had a girl (we ended up having a boy). I'm 30 and had never heard of the film. DH was a little concerned about the connection, but it didn't put us off. It's a beautiful name. I don't think there's anything wrong with Elsie - I think it sounds sweet.

[notevenamousie]

Huh?
I'm 30 this weekend, it's a lovely name, have a close friend with an Ella.

[featherbag]

Thanks everyone, after all the debate though you can just bet DC will be a DS!!!

[MrsOzz]

My little lady will probably be an Elsa :-) fab choice

[MarioandLuigi]

Its a lovely name. I am 27 and I did think of the lion but only because I read the books as a child. I dont think many people my age would have.

Its not like your calling your baby Simba :o