Help us Decide on a Name pt2: Ellen or Frances

[Littlesaint15]

We are having a last minute wobble on names. And we need to make a quick decision, so any late help would be appreciated...

We have narrowed it down to Ellen (thanks for everyone's help in that thread...) and Frances. Both are, we think, classic, understated and underused names. But which do you prefer and why? Any pitfalls we might not have thought of? We don't really mind '...what other people think' but want the best for DD ;-)

Thanks.

[CrystalMcPistol]

Much prefer Frances. It's an elegant and grown up name with a touch of 1940s glamour about it.

Ellen is a bit meek and plain in comparison.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Love Ellen, not keen on Frances.

[Marcipex]

Love Frances, not keen on Ellen.

[SmugairleRoin]

Don't like Frances, I like Ellen!

I like Francesca more tbh.

[wigglesrock]

Frances is my husbands favourite name of all time , personally I prefer Ellen. I don't like any of the potential shortenings of Frances, that put me off.

[reuset]

Frances

[getbusyliving]

Frances is such a beautiful strong name and relatively underused.

Ellen is nice name but El names are 10 a penny at the moment so they all sound a bit 'stale' to me

[DramaAlpaca]

I much prefer Frances.

[aoife24]

I like them both but Ellen just edges it, Nell is a good nn if that's your thing.

[lunalovegood84]

Frances is a great name. I like Ellen but too similar to Ella, Ellie etc.

[YonicScrewdriver]

I love Ellen.

[anonymousforever]

Frances.

It's my middle name and I am v grateful my parents chose it for me.

Simply perfect.

[AnneOfSleeves]

Love Frances. Loads of Ell.... names around.

Better shortenings of Frances IMO. Classic and elegant with no hint of "little girl name".

[AlwaystheGodmother]

Ellen is like Helen and if you're vaguely northern that could pose a problem.
Love both bit agree with lots of 'El' names at the mo that Frances edges it for unusual yet classic. Frannie is adorable. Also Francesca.

[anonymousforever]

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

Ellen is sweet and classic.
Elderly grumpy relative of xp has put me off frances.
But I do love Francesca.

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

What about "Ellen frances littlesaint"?

[Sunnydays1788]

My nan and great nan's names on my mums side were Eleanor-may and Frances. I always liked the sound of the two together... Eleanor Frances. Eleanor can be spelt ellenor too which Makes it easier to shorten to Ellen, Elle or Ellie if you want too.

[CakeRattleandRoll]

Prefer Frances, although I would use Francesca to give option of nn Cesca as nn Frannie is too close to Fanny...

Ellen is OK but there are so many 'El' names around it feels a bit boring.

[Daphnedolittle]

I really really dislike Frances. It shortens to Fran or frannie, sounds like Flan. I think it would be tough to be a Frances for the next generation as it doesn't fit in with peer names at all.
Ellen is lovely, and Nell is a gorgeous nickname.
Francesca is lovely.

[Wishful80smontage]

Frances by a million miles.
Its strong but feminine, classic and has a vintage feel without being 'old fashioned'.
Ellen is ok but tad boring IMO.

[Sophronia]

I like Ellen and Frances, and both are quite underused. Ellen slightly edges it for me.

[Pandora37]

Definitely Ellen. Frances sounds very frumpy and dowdy to me.

[Cookie122]

i love frances and when shes a teen her friends will call her fran which is also lovely

[gordonpym]

I like both, but prefer Frances.