Are there loads of Elizabeths and Esmes out there?

[TribbleTuckandDismount]

I love these names, but I'm wondering if I give a potential girl these names that she'll end up being one of five in the same class. If she was an Elizabeth, she'd probably end up being called Lizzy.

If anyone has any other names that are in a similar vein, I'd love to hear them as I can't think of any others.

[ClaudiaWinklepants]

If it helps, my dd is an Elizabeth & I don't know of any other Elizabeths (or any variations) or Esmes. No babies nor anyone at her primary school. I know of 1 Bethany. In fact the only Elizabeths I do know are in their 60s. Obviously I am biased but I do get a lot of compliments on her name.

[Artura]

I have an Esme (just coming up to 2yrs old). Thought we'd chosen a lovely, and unusual name... but there are 2 others in a baby/toddler group we go to, and 3 others in baby yoga class. Maybe we just fit into a certain demographic....

[scarlettsmummy2]

I had my second daughter 8 months ago in edinburgh and haven't met either an Elizabeth or esme! There also aren't any in my three year olds all girls pre prep class. Lots of alexas, Islas and iris's though!

[scarlettsmummy2]

Also love the name Betty! Haven't met one in real life though.

[Machadaynu]

Esme was an option for the kid - we didn't use it in the end because she came out looking like the other name, but I've since met two Esme's (and two with the same name as the kid)

Not met any new Liz's for about 15 years.

[BorisJohnsonsHair]

I know several Esmes, of varying ages (16, 10, 3 and 2) but only 1 Elizabeth (7). Hope this helps.

[TribbleTuckandDismount]

I've not seen any Lizzy's either tbh.

I've loved Elizabeth since I was a child. I don't like Ellie as a NN though. So she would be a Lizzy or Bess.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

I have an Elizabeth and she is the only one in her entire school. I've never met another one her age although I do have two grown up friends with the same name. Who I met after I'd had her. She is Lizzie to everyone that knows her though. Mind you I always introduce her as Elizabeth.

[bethjoanne]

elizabeth is such a timeless,classic ,elegant name.
nicknames-libby,elise,beth,eliza.
such a gorgeous name.xxxxxxx

[Clarella]

I have one niece called Esme and another on the other side called Elizabeth :/ I love both names and have only come across one other Esme, but in 11 years of teaching never an Elizabeth. Niece is known as lizzie, but i think its quite lovely.

My middle name, inherited from grandmother, is Elsebeth, the danish form of Elizabeth. Never met anyone with that name! Expecting a boy or would probably be using it myself!

I like it for ellabett, ellabeth, ella, ellie etc.

[Clarella]

I need to change my mn name ;)

[Murtette]

I thought I'd reply to this DD (3 this month) is an Elizabeth and I think you notice a name more if your child has it IFSWIM. DD is known by a shortening of Elizabeth and, since she's been born, I've come across maybe three or four other children under 11 with the same shortening & all at random places - one of them in the supermarket, one of them at the soft play & one at the zoo. Locally (so nursery, local playgroups & baby groups), I haven't come across any girls with her shortening and only know of one other Elizabeth under 5 & she is known as Beth. I have come across a few Elizabeths locally under 11 but literally no more than half a dozen & they have been known by a variety of shortenings. I get the impression (from these boards, newspapers, friends of friends choosing the name) that more old fashioned shortenings of the name such as Elsie & Betsy are becoming popular so there may be fewer Lizzies around - although that may change at school as, to me, that's the default shortening. As time goes by, I am increasingly pleased with our choice of name as its so flexible.
I can think of half a dozen Esmes that I know locally under the age of five and, obviously, that doesn't have as many shortenings so, if there is more than one at school or something, they are more likely to be known as Esme surname - or something more offensive. I remember we commonly referred to two boys in our class at school in the 70s as "Big Mike" and "Small Mike" which I'm sure neither of them enjoyed.

[flopsy1974]

I know of one Esme, one Elizabeth and two Betsy's. I wouldn't say either of your choices are particularly popular but the various shortenings of Elizabeth seem to be being used more and more as a stand alone name.

[shoppingtrolley]

Around here there's quite a bit of Elsie and Esme -- no actual first-name Elizabeths.

[maxcliffordslovechild]

i have an Elizabeth she is the only one in our small 200 children village school.

[shoppingtrolley]

I do love Elizabeth.

[lynniep]

I dont know any Esmes. I think its v. pretty. I know an Elspeth which I believe is the scottish version of Elizabeth. I know a few Elizabeths, and yes, most are known as Lizzie.

[Quadrangle]

No I don't think she would be one of several in a class. I know of two at our school, although there may well be more I don't know about. In my dds' years (primary school) there are lots of Lucys, (three in one class) Maddies, Matthews.

[Signet2012]

I called my three week old Elizabeth and have had lots of compliments on her name. I do not know any other Elizabeth's :)

[Quadrangle]

Sorry i meant I know of one Esme and one Elizabeth

[RillaBlythe]

I know two Esmes but no baby Elizabeths. I do know a Betsy but I think she is just a Betsy.

[cece]

I have an Esme.

She is in secondary school. In her Junior school there were two and I also have a friend with one. We occasionally come across Esmes at the swimming pool, beach, supermarket etc. So I think there are a few about but not loads iyswim. They do all seem to be quite a bit younger than mine.

I don't know any children called Elizabeth socially but have taught a couple. I like the Elisabeth spelling. I think it is a lovely name with lots of nn potential should you want it.

[cece]

Whoops meant to add some other suggestions of names we/I liked. Although both your names are lovely.

Anna
Annie
Helen
Helena
Thea
Althea
Alethea
Verity
Eve
Ellen
Sarah
Sara

[MoonHare]

We're thinking of Esme for DC3 - if a girl - due in a couple of weeks.

In 2010 there were 823 girls born named Esme it was 74th most popular name.

In 2010 there were 1356 girls named Elizabeth and it was 49th most popular name. However it was going down in popularity whereas Esme has risen considerably in the last 10 years. Though the jubilee effect may mean Elizabeth beomes more popular again.

I think that the ONS stats on names (for which 2011 figures are available) can be broken down by region, then you'd have a better idea of which is most common where you live.

Obv. my personal preference is for Esme (pronounced the correct way i.e. Ez-may).

[cece]

Don't get me started on how to pronounce Esme...