Miriam or Esther?

[HarderToKidnap]

I imagine Miriam would be shorted to Miri by us, if that makes a difference. Which do you prefer?
DH likes Leah but I just can't love it.

What else might I like?

[squoosh]

I love Esther. It makes me think of elegant Edwardian ladies like Lillie Langtry.

[WhatEverZen]

Both names are lovely. I know a Miriam who gets shortened to mim

[Openyourheart]

Miriam

[vitaminC]

I know lots of Miriams and almost all are shortened to Mimi!

I love all 3 names but Leah would be my first choice, followed by Esther and then Miriam.

Are you Jewish btw? These names are actually my 3 DDs' Hebrew names/middle names

[Allalonenow]

Miriam, one of the Miriams I know has Mimi as her nn.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Esther. Every time. I love that you can shorten it to Tess too.

[TallulahBetty]

Love Esther. Hate Miriam.

[vitaminC]

In response to your last question:

Elisheva
Liora
Talia
Dalia
Liba
Mattia
Rebecca
Dinah

[HarderToKidnap]

Thanks! Pretty even split then. My best friends DD is called Mia, shortened to mimi, so would try hard to avoid that shortening. Vitc, yes we are jewish. LOVE talia but DH dismissed out of hand.

[Wbdn28]

Miriam

[minipie]

I really like Miriam, (and Talia), not keen on Esther or Leah.

[Teamjavert]

They're both beautiful. Miriam would probably be my first choice though.

[SlouchingPanda]

I love both names and both much nicer than Leah, sorry to your DH

[Christelle2207]

Miriam
At a loss though as to how you could SHORTEN mia to Mimi.

[ZolaBuddleia]

Don't like Leah at all, it feels very 80s, even though I know it's not.

Love both Miriam and Esther. I know a Miriam who shortens to Miri.

Hhm, I think for me Miriam has it by a whisker, due to being less popular than Esther.

[SleepyCatOnTheMat]

I like Miriam and Esther and Leah. Miriam can also be shortened to Mitzi or Molly (and whilst Molly is associated with Irish culture it has been used in the Jewish culture e.g. Molly Goldberg).

[WeAll]

Miriam

[Secretswitch]

Elisheva is my Hebrew name. I have a dd named Shoshana. Esther has a very lovely feel to it..

[extracrunchy]

Esther! Love it but best mate already nabbed it so can't use it for DD

[Yika]

Miriam wins my vote though I like both (and Leah). It's one of my favourite names. I have a cousin Mim but I find it a pity that she shortens such a beautiful name.

[flyingwidow]

I like both.. Lovely! I am not good on biblical names, and not sure which are NT or old, but how about Naomi as an alternative?

[DramaAlpaca]

Miriam, definitely.

[Iwaswatchingthat]

Talitha? Means little girl.

[CPtart]

Esther.
For Miriam I always think Miriam Stoppard!