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Baby names

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

Original poster

Old lady names

87 replies

Gimmeechocolate · 31/01/2013 11:50

I really love old lady names and already have 2 DDs with old names.

I have fallen in love with the name Ethel. Everybody I know hates it and laughs at it.

I guess what I am asking is what are your associations with it as a name other than 'old lady'?

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WinkyWinkola · 01/02/2013 13:22

Gwendoline
Enid
Vera
Eunice
Bertha
Evelyn
Morag
Delores
Daphne
Agnes
Doris
Judith

singaporeswing · 01/02/2013 12:37

I adore Verity with the nn Ettie, but too similar to Hetty.

My new favourite is Vera. My great-aunt's name, so reminds me of a fabulous woman.

amazingmumof6 · 01/02/2013 12:28

have it as a second name, but baby Ethel... sorry, no

love Esther or Edith, Esme, Elsie are nice too

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 01/02/2013 09:05

Or what about Roberta? Bobbie for short.

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 01/02/2013 09:01

Elsa is nice.

MidnightMasquerader · 01/02/2013 06:23

On God, Pearl... Grin

It's so subjective, naming people, isn't it? I wouldn't thank you for calling me Pearl. Ethel is far preferable IMO.

echidnakid · 01/02/2013 04:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlipFlopFloss · 01/02/2013 00:23

Flora
Miriam
Clotilde
Beulah
Clementine
Daphne
Elenora
Meredith
Phillippa
Susan
Mary

MidnightMasquerader · 01/02/2013 00:01

I also think of Just William's glamourous older sister when I hear the name Ethel, too. A pretty red-head aged somewhere between 17 and 21 who had the local youths falling at her feet.

I actually don't think it's a bad name and I'm starting to hear it more and more. I think you might be ahead of the curve on this one.

I was given a desperately old-fashioned, old lady name in the 70s, which everyone else was positively eschewing. It's Isobel.

Ethel will have its time again. :)

amck5700 · 31/01/2013 22:53

Beatrice (Beattie)
Ursula
Celia
Frances
Prudence
Harriet

amck5700 · 31/01/2013 22:46

Jemima
Lillian
Patsy
Wilhelmina (Willa)
Geraldine

Sashapineapple · 31/01/2013 22:31

Reminds me Ethel in Eastenders.

Sorry but I think it's an awful name to saddle a kid with, can you imagine when she's 14 with her mates or out clubbing when she's in her 20's. Seems a bit cruel tbh.

sausageandorangepickle · 31/01/2013 22:09

I know a 14 year old Ethel, I was really surprised when I found out her siblings names as they are all what you would expect for children of their ages - Maddie, Jack and Tilly (Matilda). I have grown to like it on her but still sounds odd for a baby - but they are not babies for long are they?

(Fat lot of help I am hey?)

Original poster
Gimmeechocolate · 31/01/2013 22:01

Some great suggestions...

Ivy is another favourite and Ida too but Do you think they work when we already have an Iris?

Our surname begins with A and is three syllables so A names don't work well for me.

Florence is beautiful but I already know 4!

Matilda is already DD's middle name.

Awkward aren't I?!

OP posts:
amck5700 · 31/01/2013 21:08

Janet
Annie
Jennifer (Jenny)

or......Hilda?

HoneyandRum · 31/01/2013 20:57

Also Silvia and Silvie.

HoneyandRum · 31/01/2013 20:53

What about Gloria? I just love that name, beautiful!

smother · 31/01/2013 20:42

Esther's nice but Hetty and Esther is a bit samey for sisters. Also Ettie is a nn for Ethel so you'd have Hetty and Ettie - is that enough to put you off Ethel OP? Wink

More positively, Iris and Hetty are wonderful names!!

For the next one, what about...

Frances
Mathilda
Doris
Martha
Eliza

tunnocksteacake · 31/01/2013 20:25

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

marriedinwhite · 31/01/2013 20:20

My DH's grandma was Ethel. She would be 106 this year. She hated it so much she used another name for all of her adult life.

nellyjelly · 31/01/2013 20:18

Ivy nice too

AnathemaDevice · 31/01/2013 20:18

Dotty/Dottie is great. I almost wish I'd called DD that, as it would have really suited her. We called her Kitty (Kathleen on BC) in the end.

Violet is ace too-l I want to call DC3 Violet if it's a girl, but DH doesn't like it.

Ethel is horrible, sorry. How about Margaret? Then she could be Maggie/Mags/Peggy.

Rhubarbgarden · 31/01/2013 20:16

I quite like Ethel. I have an Audrey if that's any good to you? I also love Dinah.

nellyjelly · 31/01/2013 20:15

Ida is anice name.

MortifiedAdams · 31/01/2013 20:11

Maeve

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