We like biblical names. Miriam or Esther?

[sadiemcgrady]

Boy will probably be Peter.

For a girl we quite like Miriam and Esther. I am all in favour of giving straightforward traditional names and deliberately steer clear of 'popular' names, but are those two just too uncommon? I don't know anyone IRL called either of them.

[sleepychunky]

Love both those names and I know quite a few little Miriams and Esthers.
Esther one of my faves for next baby if it's a girl.
Go for it!

[mollyroger]

i love esther. (I know a RL esther and a hester, think both are really pretty and unusual)

[tummytickler]

I love Miriam (we would coinsider it for dc5). Esther is OK too.
I dont know any children of either but know a grown woman with each name.
Love Peter too, my ds Amos has this for one of his middle names.

[Scorpette]

My name is Esther and I have always thought it was the coolest name ever and I'm always getting people saying 'Ooh, that's a lovely name' when they first meet me, so I would say go for it. It's uncommon, but not weird and everyone's heard of it, so don't worry about that. BUT please be prepared for the fact that virtually no-one seems to be able to spell it! It's not just people missing the H out by spelling it Ester, a huge proportion of people spell it Esta, Estha, Esster and even Easter! Just today I got a letter addressed to Eastha (Surname) - despite me having spelt my name out for them over the phone. Guess it's the price you pay for having the best name ever

[TwoSunnyDays]

Cant go wrong with either, both great names!

[sporadicname]

I love Esther.

[Sesi]

I prefer Esther, it's more elegant than Miriam. Which is still nice but maybe a bit homely?

IRL I know one of each, with Miriam being shortened to Mim as a nn.

[jeanjeannie]

Love Esther - great name

[NorthernLurker]

Actually in 'church' circles they are both quite usual. I know several of both.

Dorcas is less common - or Eve?

[belgo]

Esther is a beautiful name.

[chaya5738]

I love Miriam. And "Miri" as a nickname is very sweet.

I don't like Esther so much largely because Madonna chose it as her "Hebrew name." Silly, i know.

[CravingOlives]

I know two baby Esthers, both of whom really suit their name. I don't know any Miriams. I like them both to be honest, although I think E slightly has the edge.

[troutpout]

I know one of each
both lovely names

[pranma]

I love Miriam-both gentle and elegant
I also like Naomi and Ruth

[Wheelybug]

love esther - dd2 would have been esther had I not had a slight lisp.

[AtheneNoctua]

Esther

[EachPeachPearMum]

If you have to do biblical, then Miriam is quite the nicest you could choose- its lovely.

[sadiemcgrady]

Oh I love Naomi, but DH not keen. He likes Ruth but I don't!

Thanks for the positive comments on both names. Difficult choice!

[AtheneNoctua]

There are sooooo many names from the bible. Surely there is something you both like.

Miriam always makes me think stoppard.

I'm biased on Esther because it was my grandmother's name and she was a remarkable for woman.

[missmem]

Other biblical girls names that are not as obvious:

Tabitha
Lydia
Anna
Priscilla

[jellybeans]

Esther is lovely.

[hoping4thebest]

I like both as complete names and shortened versions.
Mim and Miri for Miriam and Ettie for Esther.

Missmem- my dd is Anna. It means gracious and I love it.

[janeite]

I like Esther, which I think is really pretty. I LOVE Hester.

Miriam feels a bit harder sounding to me.

I like Naomi and I like Ruth too but prefer it as a middle name.