Elvira

[IvoryMadonna]

No baby to name, but I've come across an Elvira in the family tree. It strikes me as a name that ought to be fashionable right now, as it has the popular El- beginning, and bears some resemblance in sound to Eve and Olivia. Yet it doesn't seem to appear in the 2013 stats at all. Am I missing something?

[chickenpoxpanic]

This is the only Elvira I know www.imdb.com/title/tt0095088/

[dun1urkin]

This ^^

[Lunastarfish]

ww.elivira.hostedbywebstore.com might explain why it is seldom used

[IvoryMadonna]

Never heard of that, but it sounds fun!

[IvoryMadonna]

The film, that is - I don't know what that website is.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I know an Elvira, she hates loathed and detests her name. Is more commonly known by her middle name as a result. She's in her 70's.

It has never been a popular name in the UK, has it?

[confusedandemployed]

I love it. It was my granny's middle name.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Elvira is the name of the first wife in Blithe Spirit. Not a very positive association either! Sounds too like Vera, which is not a name I've ever cared for.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Oh I thought you were thinking of using it and was going to suggest Evadne as an alternative.

Elvira - no. Can't think why but I always think that the mother of Samantha in Bewitched is called Elvira - she isn't, she's called Endora, but it sticks with me, so to me it sounds witchy and vampirey and just not really the sort of name I'd give a baby.

[squoosh]

Too witchy.

[theconstantvacuumer]

I love it. Also love Tabitha, Kitty and Evangeline. They make me think of dark haired mysterious beauties

[mrscatmad31]

My old boss was Elvira, she went by Elly, don't think she liked her name (she's in her 30's)

[IvoryMadonna]

Elspeth is the name I always find "witchy". I think it was the name of the wicked stepmother in some fairytale I read at a young age.

Elvira just struck me as the kind of name that might suddenly be "discovered".

[ilovemargaretatwood8931]

I like it, I also like Vera!

Not so keen on Ellie.

[starlightloz]

My Nan was called Elvina. I love that and would have used it if I had a girl. Quite similarly, am not sure why it isn't seen very often. I think it's lovely, different enough without being too odd to be pronouncable.

[PrimroseEverdeen]

Sorry but it reminds me if Elvira mistress of the dark! It's a bit too witchy!

[mrsdavidbowie]

I love it. Also Elvie as short form

[BellMcEnd]

I love the name Elvira but then I was a massive fan of the film "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark." It is hilarious and full of fantastic one liners like "just grab a tool and start banging!" Maybe not the most appropriate film to consider when naming a baby but I would recommend it as a movie!

[Stitchintime1]

It's a character in a Noel Coward play to me. Really obscure reference. Not that keen. A bit like an awkward combination of Ellie and Eva.

[Aurochs]

Yes I'm not sure how or where I've picked it up from, but I think "Elvira" and I see a 60-something woman with a totally OTT scheming expression, jet black bun and Far Side spectacles!

[reuset]

A ghooostly reference. Blithe Spirit of course! The play and film is very well known. I liked Margaret Rutherford best in her role in the film

[IvoryMadonna]

Another name from the family tree is Etheldra, which I think is quite splendid. Never come across it before.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

How far back does your family tree go, Ivory? that sounds positively mediaeval, Etheldra. Like Ethelred.

[IvoryMadonna]

Not as far as that! The first Etheldra (as far as I've found) was born c1800, then various granddaughters were given the name too. Before that - I only have the names of her mother and one grandmother, so there may well have been earlier ones.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Exciting! And interesting - it's definitely a new one on me.