We have decided to go with Alison

I think it's a beautiful name, it is a little dated but who cares? It's a lot better than most of the names parents are giving their children these days. Alice is very pretty too, I say go for it!

I'm a 39 year old Alison. Every other Alison I know is around the same age, she'll probably be the only one in her class

From your list, I like Ruth & Eleanor (Eleanor was one of the choices for DD, we didn't choose it because the nn Ellie was too close to Allie)

I like Alison.Lissy for short is nice.

There's an 8yo Alison in my DD's class, I'm not keen but I don't hate it.

I'm not so keen on Alison sorry, it's rather 70's - but I just adore Alice which is timeless and stunning.

I think Alison is too dated. It's true that she would be the only one in her class but she would consider her name a mumsy name. What sounds retro to us, will sound old fashioned to them.

The name itself isn't bad, but I think you can do better, as you seem unsure yourself. You could always have Alison as a middle name to honour your late Aunty.

Good luck deciding!

don't panic!! If your not 100% sure don't choose until you meet her. I know people who have taken days after baby has been born to pick a name........

I think Alison is a strong name.

I meant you having given it so much thought (I've seen a few of your threads and was like that with my babies' names) not me - that would be weird! :)

Are there any diminutives of Elizabeth you love? Then use Alison as a middle name? Eg

Eliza
Betsy
Beth etc?

Sure you can Google for a long list!

To be completely honest with you, having given it so much thought, I think it's important that it is a name you love.

I also don't think you need to decide yet- try to relax and give yourself time. She might surprise you with what she looks like!

I think Alison is lovely & much prefer it to Alice. Go for it, especially if it has meaning to you.
You're probably ahead of the curve, give it a few years & you'll be tripping over baby Alisons, Jennifers, Lauras etc....

I'm a 26 year old Alison! Generally an Ali or Al though but I've always liked the name and I like the fact there are not many people my age called it. In fact a couple of times recently its been mistaken for 'Madison' believe or not, I am very quick to correct them!

I'm in my mid 40's and know a few Alison's, my cousin included but she spells her name Allison. I have also seen the spelling Allyson. Your little one most probably the the only Alison in her year if not her school. It's a lovely name which will suit her until she is an old lady. My sister knows a baby Jennifer and I have a friend called Jenny.

I'm one in my 30s and have always liked it but when younger wished I'd been Alice instead.
All names can be 'dated' until used again.... Years ago nobody would have used Emily, Lucy etc but now look. And Lily, Florence, Martha etc...... Same goes for those.
It's classic and not at all faddy so I say go for it

I'm a mid 40s Alison with a 7 year old Jennifer and I like both. We are nicknamed Ali and Jenny, but I mainly use Alison. As a teen I tried using Ally but I was teased for pretentious spelling at school and reverted back to Ali. I also get called Al quite a lot, and am fine with any of them. I occasionally get called Alice by mistake and I don't like that, for some reason I have never liked the name Alice, I find it old fashioned and a bit prim.

There is an Alison in Yr R of my daughter's school. My DD is the only Jennifer/Jenny in the school, although you do encounter one occasionally so it is unusual in that respect but without being way out there.

For me it's not that it's dated, and I'm all for avoiding the Tilly/Evie/Lily/Ruby herd, it's just not a nice sound IMO. There are plenty of names from that era that sound nicer eg Sarah, Helen. Alison for me is lumpen and clunky.

OP, what are you going to do, now some of us have been rather mean about your name choice?

I changed my DD's name as I'd gone for something I wasn't 100% behind, it was upsetting and stressful, can you hang on for something that really chimes with you, do you think?

It's not really relevant how nice the name is when the OP herself doesn't sound that keen on it.

I am all for compromise when it comes to choosing baby names but in the case of stalemate, clearly the mother has the final say

There are Alisons in my age group, it is probably a bit of a cyclical name. (Alice was more of an old-lady name back then and now that is back in fashion.)

I think Alison has a lovely sound and rhythm, and like an earlier poster I think of the naughty Alison in the Canterbury Tales! It's a name with a fine medieval ring to it.

bloody great name, Alison

It's all well and good to come on here and get opinions, but at the end of the day, what use is it really?

You're never going to get a consensus of opinion on ANY name, because it's all so subjective. There are no universal names that everyone likes, so you just have to go with a name you and your DH like.

So what if the name is dated? It's a nice name. And who knows, by the time she's 20 or 30, Alison might be topping the popularity charts, and she'll be in possession of a fresh, current name, while everyone else's eyes are glazing over with boredom at all the Evies, Millys and Lilys. You know, this generation's equivalent of Claire, Joanne, Karen, etc.

I always trot my own story out on threads like this, but I grew up really, really disliking my own name - named after my grandmother, so my parents chose a name from their parents' generation. It was a really middle-aged name, and literally no-one else had it, I was always the only one in my class etc, etc. I was a bit embarrassed by it. What do you know, but another generation rolls around and everyone loves it again, and now in my 30s I have a fresh, current name; Isobel.

Likewise, DS has a very retro name, named after DH's uncle. It has personal meaning, it's a well-known name, but he's always the only one in his peer group with the name.

Be a little bit daring; you don't have to choose an Ava/Olivia/Ruby name. Make the world a more interesting place.

I know an Alison and an Alyson. If you are going to be calling her Ally maybe it matters less you're not wild about the name Alison itself? Once your DD is here you may take one look and absolutely think of her as Alison.

PS So many posters fret about what nn their DC is likely to have, you may find DD or more likely George or anyone except DH will call her anything but Alison.

I love Alison, it sounds so melodic and nothing like Janet, Denise and their ilk. It reminds me too of Chaucer and the brilliant Elvis Costello song.

In 15 years time it will be the hot new name and you'll be ahead of the pack!

I don't think I could use a name I didn't love.

Sounds a bit dated. What about Alicia?

I also have a Jennifer and love Alison too! It's a 'proper' name but will be uncommon in hergeneration

Definitely not the female version of Keith! It is dated but a very pretty name. At least it won't be described as 'faddy' or 'trendy'like my 2 DCs names are often described as on here!
You have several nn potentials too, like Ally and Alice which are lovely.

I love Alison. i also have a Jennifer, so am cleary a retro girl too.

It is a beautiful name.