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Original poster

Florence, Elspeth or Rowan?

45 replies

thetigerwhocametoteax · 03/02/2012 14:59

Just starting to think about names for DC2 due in summer. DH and I had always wanted Rowan for a girl but I close friend of ours recently called their little boy Rowan and I am starting the think of it now as a boys name. I really love Florence but find the lack of nice nicknames and increasing popularity a bit off putting. DH likes Elspeth (nn Elsie) and I do like it but worry about a lifetime of going "no Elspeth ... NOT Elizabeth"

So what do you think? DS is called Arthur. Any other suggestions we might like?

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SingingSands · 03/02/2012 22:11

Love Elspeth, my niece is called Elspeth Smile Her mum gets annoyed at people who pronounce it Elzbeth.

I used to live next door to a lovely little girl called Rowena if that helps?

sittinghippo · 03/02/2012 22:07

Elspeth is so pretty, and I wanted it on my list, DH wouldnt agree. Elsie is a lovely short version.
I like Tessa I think it had the same sort of 'feel' to it.

Rhubarbgarden · 03/02/2012 21:16

I like Elspeth. How about Edith? Ingrid?

SlinkingOutsideInFrocks · 03/02/2012 21:14

I'm in a one-woman mission to dissuade people from using the name Florence Grin - I just do not get it at all and cannot see why people think it's a nice name! Confused It will definitely date due to it's current surge in popularity.

I don't love Elspeth, but think Rowan is a gorgeous name for a girl. I admit though, that I would be put off it if a close friend called her DS it.

Original poster
thetigerwhocametoteax · 03/02/2012 20:34

Mmmm... pretty even spread. Maybe a few more votes Elspeth or Rowan then Florence? Middle name will probably be Victoria (family name) and maybe another one too as DS has two middle names.
Remus - like all your suggestions, especially Elise but our friends had one last week!
Keep 'em coming! Grin

OP posts:
jaffacakehips · 03/02/2012 19:51

Elspeth for me...lovely lovely name!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/02/2012 19:15

Florence.

Elspeth is pretty but a bit lispy and I don't like Elsie.

I love Rowan for a boy but hate it for a girl.

Elise
Esme
Hester
Harriet

vigglewiggle · 03/02/2012 19:10

I love Elspeth. Wish I'd thought of it!

clare458 · 03/02/2012 19:03

Love Elspeth!

south345 · 03/02/2012 19:00

My grannys name is elspeth and she doesn't get Elizabeth, think I prefer Elsie on its own but all nice.

HolyNoSheDittantBatman · 03/02/2012 18:58

I like Florence a lot.
Don't like Elspeth at all.
Rowan is quite pretty I think.

I know a little Arthur and his baby sister is Elizabeth.

Bonsoir · 03/02/2012 18:16

My DD is Flora Elisabeth Zoe.

I find Florence and Elspeth a bit 19th C maiden aunt!

Minty82 · 03/02/2012 18:00

I think Rowan's much nicer for a girl than for a boy - really lovely.
DH is trying to get Florence onto our list...I'm not enough of a fan to use it myself, but it is pretty.

Ephiny · 03/02/2012 17:52

Rowan would be my choice too. Love this name, and I think it's fantastic for either a boy or a girl. It's a beautiful name for a girl, without being frilly or overly girly.

Not keen on Elspeth, sounds a bit 'lispy' to me. Don't think it would be confused with Elizabeth though, I wouldn't worry about that.

Florence seems very stodgy and old-fashioned/middle-aged to me, maybe that's just me though as apparently it's becoming popular!

LiteraryMermaid · 03/02/2012 16:51

All nice choices. Absolutely adore Rowan - this would be my currently top choice for a girl. Yes, it's unisex, but not overly masculine, and I have met both male and female Rowans. Florence lovely as a mn, but its currently popularity would put me off a bit.

PopcornBiscuit · 03/02/2012 15:53

Florence is lovely, Elspeth quite nice too.

Rowan too unisex and reminds me of Rowan Williams and Rowan Atkinson.

Asinine · 03/02/2012 15:10

I love Elspeth, I would never mix it up with Elizabeth.

Anchorwoman · 03/02/2012 15:09

Two of these are down on our list if it's a girl! I like them all. Florence isn't a name that will go in/out of fashion, it's been around for ages, so I wouldn't worry about it being popular or faddy just now. Short versions could be Flo or Floss? V sweet I think.

shesparkles · 03/02/2012 15:01

Rowan's beautiful for a girl-a distant relative called her dd Rowan a few years ago and that was the first time I'd heard it-loved it from then.

I'd not worry about a friend using it for a boy, there seem to be so many names now which can be unisex.
For reasons of women I've known, Florence and Elspeth wouldn't be my 1st choice

tammytoby · 03/02/2012 15:00

Love Elsie and Elspeth.