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Baby names

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

Original poster

Elvira

36 replies

IvoryMadonna · 02/05/2015 16:13

No baby to name, but I've come across an Elvira in the family tree. It strikes me as a name that ought to be fashionable right now, as it has the popular El- beginning, and bears some resemblance in sound to Eve and Olivia. Yet it doesn't seem to appear in the 2013 stats at all. Am I missing something?

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Original poster
IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 19:22

Different. I'd only ever heard it pronounced El-vera. Never El-vyra.

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RJnomore · 03/05/2015 19:20

My hearts on fire - elvira

I love it wish I had been brave enough!

StampysLoveGarden · 03/05/2015 19:16

Elvira, there was an Elvira in El Tragaluz (a book I had to read for the leaving cert about 25 years ago) and I remember thinking it was a pretty name.

DextersMistress · 03/05/2015 19:14
Original poster
IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 19:03

Means nothing to me, sorry.

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DextersMistress · 03/05/2015 17:10

Giddy Up, Oom Poppa Oom Poppa Mow Mow Hi-ho silver away

Sorry, that's been in my head since I read your title Grin

Original poster
IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 17:07

Which name, Clare - Elvira? I'm afraid we digressed a bit.

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Original poster
IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 17:06

I guess all those names were spelled with 'ash' (AE) so either A or E is valid.

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ClareAbshire · 03/05/2015 17:05

It was my great grandmothers name. And she was as mad as a box of frogs!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 03/05/2015 17:00

Yes, I like that better.

Original poster
IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 16:59

In some sources it gets spelled Atheldra, which is a good alternative if you find the Ethel- bit off-putting.

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ThumbWitchesAbroad · 03/05/2015 16:57

Exciting! And interesting - it's definitely a new one on me.

Original poster
IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 16:55

Not as far as that! Smile The first Etheldra (as far as I've found) was born c1800, then various granddaughters were given the name too. Before that - I only have the names of her mother and one grandmother, so there may well have been earlier ones.

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ThumbWitchesAbroad · 03/05/2015 15:34

How far back does your family tree go, Ivory? that sounds positively mediaeval, Etheldra. Like Ethelred.

Original poster
IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 12:08

Another name from the family tree is Etheldra, which I think is quite splendid. Never come across it before.

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reuset · 02/05/2015 19:06

A ghooostly reference. Blithe Spirit of course! The play and film is very well known. I liked Margaret Rutherford best in her role in the film

Aurochs · 02/05/2015 18:53

Yes I'm not sure how or where I've picked it up from, but I think "Elvira" and I see a 60-something woman with a totally OTT scheming expression, jet black bun and Far Side spectacles!

Stitchintime1 · 02/05/2015 18:50

It's a character in a Noel Coward play to me. Really obscure reference. Not that keen. A bit like an awkward combination of Ellie and Eva.

BellMcEnd · 02/05/2015 18:50

I love the name Elvira but then I was a massive fan of the film "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark." It is hilarious and full of fantastic one liners like "just grab a tool and start banging!" Maybe not the most appropriate film to consider when naming a baby but I would recommend it as a movie! Grin

mrsdavidbowie · 02/05/2015 18:48

I love it. Also Elvie as short form

PrimroseEverdeen · 02/05/2015 18:47

Sorry but it reminds me if Elvira mistress of the dark! It's a bit too witchy!

starlightloz · 02/05/2015 18:39

My Nan was called Elvina. I love that and would have used it if I had a girl. Quite similarly, am not sure why it isn't seen very often. I think it's lovely, different enough without being too odd to be pronouncable.

ilovemargaretatwood8931 · 02/05/2015 18:37

I like it, I also like Vera!

Not so keen on Ellie.

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IvoryMadonna · 02/05/2015 18:29

Elspeth is the name I always find "witchy". I think it was the name of the wicked stepmother in some fairytale I read at a young age.

Elvira just struck me as the kind of name that might suddenly be "discovered".

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mrscatmad31 · 02/05/2015 17:57

My old boss was Elvira, she went by Elly, don't think she liked her name (she's in her 30's)