My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Registering tomorrow and still undecided whether to ...

18 replies

phonix · 07/06/2011 21:17

... spell her name Ottilie or Ottilia.

Ottilia was the name we came up with initially, but I started having doubts as the 'ia' ending rhymes with DD1's name and both names have the same number of syllables, too.
DH doesn't think it's a problem at all.

However, our (foreign) surname ends in a 'y', so matched with Ottilie, when you say the full name it sounds a bit .... hmm, 'not quite right' I guess.

Not sure which version is worse. Any advice?

OP posts:
Report
GetDownYouWillFall · 07/06/2011 21:37

I think that Ottilia sounds a little bit affected, or over the top, sorry. I prefer Ottilie, it rolls off the tongue more easily.

What you mention about your surname ending in Y could be a problem though...

Report
Hassled · 07/06/2011 21:40

Ottilia sounds made up - is it? But Ottilie is a name I recognise, IYSWIM. Having said that, I think two "ia" endings among siblings is fine, whereas something like Sally Barry (if that's what you mean re surnames) sounds less fine.

Report
Maternelle · 07/06/2011 21:48

I love Ottilie. Not sure about Ottilia.

Report
puffling · 07/06/2011 21:49

No to Ottilia, never heard of it and sounds like Attila the Hun.
Go for Ottilie, sounds like a proper French name.

Report
exoticfruits · 07/06/2011 21:57

Ottilie -surely Ottilia is just made up?

Report
toddlerama · 07/06/2011 21:59

Ottilia will sound infinitely better with a surname ending in 'y'.

Report
SoupDragon · 07/06/2011 22:01

Ottilia made me think of Atilla too. much prefer Ottilie

Report
phonix · 07/06/2011 22:04

Interesting what some of you say about Ottilia being a made up name.... no it's most definitely not. It's known and used in mainland Europe (apart from France).

With re. to the 'y' ending, it's nowhere near as bad as Sally Barry especially as surname is quite long.

DH says Ottilie is too frilly and wouldn't suit a grown up woman.

OP posts:
Report
SloganLogan · 07/06/2011 22:39

I prefer Ottilia.

Report
Letitshine · 07/06/2011 22:44

What about Otteline?

Report
squeak2392 · 07/06/2011 22:45

I prefer Ottilia, but I think it's better for her name to rhyme with her surname than her sisters name.
Sometimes rhyming siblings work, but the only name I can think of is Lydia, and I don't think Lydia and Ottilia would be good at all.

Report
BearBehavingBadly · 08/06/2011 10:37

Ottilia is lovely & I can't see any problems with it. (like your DH says)
If you feel that if you don't use & that you will alway regret not using it, then go for it.

Report
LadyGoneGaga · 08/06/2011 10:50

My surname ends with Y and first name ends ie. I prefer Ottilie, think it flows off the tongue better.

Report
wineandcheese · 08/06/2011 15:20

Another vote for Ottilie.

Report
phonix · 08/06/2011 15:27

Thanks everyone! She was registered as Ottilie in the end. We have up to twelve months to change it, should we decide...

OP posts:
Report
Prinpo · 08/06/2011 16:24

Ottilie is an absolutely beautiful name - would have got my vote had I read the post in time. Good choice.

Congratulations on your new DD. Smile

Report
exoticfruits · 08/06/2011 16:39

Good, I'm sure you won't want to change it.

Report
MockingbirdsNotForSale · 09/06/2011 18:12

Congratulations! Ottilie sounds great.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.