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Baby names

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Original poster

Elisabeth shortened to Bessie - whadya think?

36 replies

Astrophe · 08/04/2011 03:46

We know a little girl called Elizabth shortened to Elsie, which we adore, but as they are in our close cirlce of friends we're not sure we'd use it, and are looking for alternatives.

Elisabth shortened to Bessie...

Also considering Margaret shortened to Maisie or Meg, Francesca shortened to Cesca (which DH says makes him thnk of a woman with big hair, who knows why!?), Florence shortened to Florrie and Charlotte shortened to Lottie.

Also Esther, Jane, Grace, Faith.

This is DD3 - feeling a bit stuck.

TIA :)

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Househunter · 05/05/2011 08:39

What about Elisabeth shortened to Elsa?

Original poster
Astrophe · 04/05/2011 11:31

The thread is rejuvinated!

Thanks everyone :) I talked to the Mum of our little friend Elsie - just said that one of her kids' names is on our short list, and how would they feel if we used it. She, of course, said it would be totally fine, but I feel better that I've flagged it with her...and yet...the name still seems to really 'belong' to her little girl. Everyone we see day to do know her, and I feel like I'd be saying "Baby's name is Elsie...yes, thats right, like Elsie Smith".

Our next best option is Charlotte/Lottie. I love it, DH likes it, but its so popular and our other DC have less common names.

OP posts:
flopsy1974 · 04/05/2011 08:57

Love Elisabeth, not keen on Bessie though.

birdofthenorth · 03/05/2011 23:58

I have Elizabeth known as Bess! 8 months. No regrets, we love it.

Christobel51 · 03/05/2011 13:36

What about Tess or Tessie.....? a bit more feminine than Bess or Bessie I think......

Though there was that Dick Bruna book " Tilly & Tessa were twins" which my Dad stills complains about reading to us ad infinitum!

exoticfruits · 16/04/2011 22:36

My first thought was 'Bessie Bunter'. I think that all the others are nicer, Liz, Lizzie, Eliza, Beth and even Betty or Bess.

Chynah · 16/04/2011 22:19

'Aunt Bessies' yorkshire puddings and stuff is what comes to mind. Not my favourite shortening of Elizabeth.

Wormshuffler · 16/04/2011 22:12

I love it, my great gran was a Elizabeth, but only ever known as Bessie.

Kaekae · 16/04/2011 22:11

I would also go for the spelling of Elizabeth too, I wanted Elisabeth as a middle name but for reasons nickelbaalamb has mentioned we went for EliZabeth.

Kaekae · 16/04/2011 22:09

No not Bessie, I prefer Eliza as a NN.

nickelbaalamb · 16/04/2011 15:04

I like Bess/Bessie as a nn.

although, I would still go for the spelling Elizabeth, because you're less likely to have to spell it out. (i think most people assume Elizabeht, so you'd be constantly saying "Elisabeth with an S not a Z, and teachers are bound to spell it wrong until she can spell it herself!)

CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 16/04/2011 14:58

Have you thought of Marjorie/Margery? It's softer than Margaret, can share the same nn's and also be shortened to Marnie or Madge. It is afaik underused at the moment.

Original poster
Astrophe · 16/04/2011 12:31

Just googled Bessie Bunter, I'm pretty confident nobody here will have ever heard of it :) But we are still toying with "asking" (telling) our friends who have the Elisabeth/Elsie that we are copying them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Astrophe · 16/04/2011 12:29

sorry, went on holidays.

thanks for all the feedback, reading and mulling it all over with interest...

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 08/04/2011 17:16

I like Charlotte (Lottie), Esther and Jane from your list.

Bessie is very matronly imo. And I also think of Bessie Bunter.

I think Flo, Florrie and Fran/Frannie are very drab names.

ArthurPewty · 08/04/2011 15:39

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsvWoolf · 08/04/2011 15:36

This reply has been deleted

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WinlessChunder · 08/04/2011 14:53

I love Bessie. It makes me think of the Faraway Tree Books (Enid Blighton) which brings back happy childhood memories!

kreecherlivesupstairs · 08/04/2011 14:46

Have Margaret with Peggy as a NN. I do really like that.

Hatterbox · 08/04/2011 12:29

I love Bessie and I love Elisabeth (the best spelling of this name by a million miles, the Z is too harsh).

SolarPanel · 08/04/2011 11:16

Elisabeth/Bessie - like
Margaret/Meg - quite like, although prefer Megan/Meg
Francesca/Cesca - don't like, sounds harsh
Florence/Florrie - like
Charlotte/Lottie - OK

Also like Esther, Jane, Grace and Faith.

pilates · 08/04/2011 09:47

Bessie is very nice as a nn for Elisabeth.

Margaret sounds a hard old fashioned womans name. Also not keen on Florence and Esther for the same reason.

Like all the rest of your name BTW.

ConstanceFelicity · 08/04/2011 09:18

Bessie is lovely! I would have had one if I'd have had a girl. Go for it!

beijingaling · 08/04/2011 09:16

Bessie is definitely a cows name. Far more than daisy is. I don't like it at all, sorry.

What about Penelope /penny?

BobbiDazzler · 08/04/2011 09:12

I love Bess