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Baby names

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

Original poster

Elliot for a girl - too American?

51 replies

cupcakebakerer · 03/10/2010 18:10

The hubby loves it, as do I. My only concern is that it's a bit 'Americany' to call a little girl what's traditionally a boy's name.

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Original poster
cupcakebakerer · 23/10/2010 21:44

Arghh! It's so hard. We still love it but I totally take on board the comments. We will forever be explaining we have a daughter not a son to new people we meet and I reckon both mothers will hate it. Apparently Sting's daughter is called Elliot. Perhaps if we give her a girlie middle name to compensate? The others on our girl list are Harriet, Lily and Holly, none of which are as original. Gah!

OP posts:
Nyx · 21/10/2010 23:18

I would like it for a girl, I haven't met any Elliots of either sex.

yummymummie1 · 21/10/2010 22:55

I have to say i would personally only use it for a boys name.

facebook · 21/10/2010 21:24

I quite like it but I seem to be in the minority! I also like Evan for a girl too.

Komondor · 21/10/2010 10:47

No, hate it.

rachel234 · 20/10/2010 21:45

I think of her:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_Reid

ElliotsMama · 20/10/2010 20:59

Well my DD is Elliot she'll be 2 next month and most people love it. Those who weren't keen originally appear to have come round and we get lots of people stating they couldn't imagine her being called anything else. I always call her Elliot and some people only call her Ellie (i.e. MIL) which I don't mind. My honest opinion is go with what you like and don't mind anyone else. With regards to kids teasing one another, that's what kids do, regardless of what name you go for. If you bring your child up to be confident and happy, he/she won't care.

YeahBut · 17/10/2010 04:33

piss me right off, obviously.

YeahBut · 17/10/2010 04:33

You and she will have to get used to lots of people thinking she's a boy and trying to tell you you've made a mistake when ticking the 'female' box on forms, lots of mail addressed to Mr Elliot Cupcakebakerer. Personally, that would piss me right of as a child and then I'd change my name by deed poll as soon as I was old enough.
BTW, I like Elliot as a boys name - my nephew is an Elliot.

FullaDoll · 17/10/2010 04:25

I really don't like boys' names for girls, sorry.

I also think it could cause her problems in the future, of the kind that Lonnie referred to.

jabberwocky · 17/10/2010 01:52

I really like it. Another American here, so I guess we do have similar tastes. I also really like the nickname Elle.

Greenwing · 17/10/2010 01:38

Just consider that she will get a lot of reaction from people which may upset her and may well be teased by other children at school for having a boy's name.
She is bound to be called Ellie, which is already a very popular name.
There are loads of lovely girls names ...
or how about Robyn or Hilary or Lyndsey if you want a name that could be a boy's!

RobynLou · 17/10/2010 01:01

I like it. My name can be a boy's name, and I hated that when I was around 8/9/10, I really wanted to change my name. But I've grown into it and love it now.

lowrib · 17/10/2010 00:52

I like it too, I think it's a great name. She can always be Ellie if she wants to be more girly.

fourbears · 16/10/2010 18:35

I really like it. I think it's lovely for a girl.

Surprise · 16/10/2010 18:24

TBH I hate the name Elliott, as it always sounds a bit weak to me, but strangely I think it would be good as a girl's name. Although obviously she will spend her whole life explaining to people that she is a girl not a boy. Sidney is another one that I think works well for a girl. But then again Rita is my favourite girl's name, so what do I know??

aly323 · 16/10/2010 18:20

I like it a lot. Of course, I'm also an American and fan of more unique names. I really like that you could always go with Ellie or Elle if your DD prefers when older. I have an unusual name (never met another) that can be shortened to a more common name and have been very happy with both.

It's kind of funny how every name gets such strong reactions in both directions. I would just be thrilled to find a name that DH and I both actually liked, that's proven to be difficult enough for us!

nickelbabe · 09/10/2010 15:18

and "A diminutive of the Old French Elie, possible cognate of Elijah. The popular medieval diminutive gave rise to a surname which is the immediate source for the modern use of Elliot." from the link page.

nickelbabe · 09/10/2010 15:18

according to this it's hebrew meaning My God is the Lord, so it could work either way.

Saltire · 09/10/2010 14:59

Elliot is a good Border surname - I say this because I am descended from Elliot, they were one of the greatest "revieing" families,and because of this they had a lot of their lands confiscated after the union of the crowns.

Anyway history lesson over, I tend to think of it as a surname first and a boys name second.

Jbck · 09/10/2010 14:47

DD2's name, some call her Ellie some call her Elliot. We still love it and have had lots of compliments and she's almost 3.

Do what you like. Smile

Quattrocento · 09/10/2010 14:43

Nah, not too American. Too ridiculous.

nickelbabe · 09/10/2010 14:37

I actually like it, too.

It reminds me of Elliot Reid from Scrubs - a sassy, sexy, pretty, brainy woman.

londonboots · 09/10/2010 14:25

wow. strong reactions to this. I like it!

A1980 · 09/10/2010 13:00

For me being called Alexandra is bad enoguh as I get letter to Mr Alexander ....

It isn't too American, it's just daft why anoyone would call a girl waht is blatantly a boys name.

Would you name your son Elizabeth or Eloise?

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