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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Elliott for a girl! What do you think?

85 replies

Bumpingalong84 · 18/07/2015 22:59

Just that really! DH and I expecting a little girl in November and struging with girls names. DH really likes elliott for a girl, she'd be Ellie for short. Or the other name weird is Edith and she's be Edie for short. Thoughts please

OP posts:

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HedgehogAtHome · 22/07/2015 00:03

I adore it. DH used a veto so I can't use it.

CeriBerry · 21/07/2015 00:33

My cousin has a female Eliot, spelt like that. She's called Eliot Rose and is 5. When they first told us the name, we were a bit "oh" but actually now I think it's lovely, suits her well and doesn't even cross my mind that it's a "boys name"

madwomanbackintheattic · 21/07/2015 00:05

Dd2 had a female Elliott in her class (now 11). It was a glorious pita as everyone assumed that 'Elliott' was a boy. Teachers, parents, other kids. I'm all for changing it up, but I don't think the kid enjoyed constantly being on the wrong end of the 'oh I expected a boy' comments.
So, not so unique, really. I suspect it is one of those names that you would use thinking you were being edgy, and then three months later a minor sleb does the same thing and Ta-da, top ten for the next five years and four in every class though.

BertrandRussell · 20/07/2015 23:54

Only if you would use Martha for a boy...........

JakeyBurd · 20/07/2015 23:51

Thanks reuset, I wanted to know!

There are a few different origins for the name, but I guess that, like names such as Lindsay or Leslie it's a fairly multi-purpose name, so I don't think anyone can state it's one thing or the other. :-)

MadameLeBean · 20/07/2015 20:22

At least she'll get more job interviews

Junosmum · 20/07/2015 20:09

Elliot has always felt more of a girls name to me, I find it quite 'wet' for a boy. I'd use it.

reuset · 20/07/2015 11:15

That 1210 first recorded use of the name Eliot for boys is from the Curia Regis Rolls.

Just in case anybody wants to know (I'm sure they don't really)

reuset · 20/07/2015 11:10

If it helps, OP, the earliest recorded use of Elliot as a forename in Scotland was back in 1636 and that was for a girl. There are many more for that era, and it's not recorded for any boys until 1733.

It started off as a diminutive. It was first used, for boys, first recorded use in 1210. The Eliot or Elyot spellings though.
Eliot was common in Eng, for boys, but usually as a nick name for Ellis, Elijah or Elias. The surnames (Eliot/Elliott, Eliott) came later in this instance. So it's odd that some people dislike it because it's a 'surname name'

Wafflenose · 20/07/2015 10:01

I know an Elliette who's about 7.

IsItStupid · 20/07/2015 09:50

I know an Elliette (girl) who is 12 but she is changing her name to Ella.

I think Elliot/Elliotte is terrible for a girl but clearly a lot of people disagree.

I like Edie (for Edith) though. That's a lovely name.

IsadoraQuagmire · 19/07/2015 22:20

When I hear the name Elliott the first person I think of is the actress Elliott Mason. She was born in 1888, so it's hardly a new idea as a girl ' name.

Dreya · 19/07/2015 19:53

I would never consider Elliot for a boy. For a girl however, I love it! Also recently met a little girl called Noa. Another name that I think sounds better for a girl. Go for it!

Bubblesinthesummer · 19/07/2015 19:52

Another no here I'm afraid. Good boys name but not a good girls name

Unoriginalusername123 · 19/07/2015 19:46

Elliott is a boy's name.

If you like Ellie then call her Eleanor or Elinor or Ella. Those are girls names.

CrispyFern · 19/07/2015 15:14

Ellies are so common, they're everywhere!
Go with Edie.

sweetpeame · 19/07/2015 15:05

I don't like it for a boy and definitely don't like it for a girl. But then I genreally don't like unisex names (although I think this is usually considered a boys name) and I don't like surnames as first names either which this is. Not sure why you'd use Elliott if you're going to call her Ellie anyway. People will think her name is Eleanor...

florascotia · 19/07/2015 14:56

That's interesting, JakeyBurd. Was it the typical Scottish use of surname for family/dynastic/inheritance reasons?

However, for the past 100 years and more, Elliot has predominantly been thought of - and used - as a boy's name. See the 1911 UK census, for example www.britishbabynames.com/blog/1911-census-elliot.html

Catsgowoof · 19/07/2015 12:07

I know someone who just had a girl Elliott, I don't mind it, but reaction from everyone she tells is a polite 'Oh'

Yellowbird01 · 19/07/2015 12:03

Awful for a girl

Great for a boy

Cloggal · 19/07/2015 11:58

i'd keep one of the spellings without the final e, and go for that!

Original poster

Bumpingalong84 · 19/07/2015 11:51

By the time she's filling out job applications I think it will be far more common, as it's more common now than 10years ago as you can probably tell by the mixed views! Lots of girls are called Harry and Charlie and Jamie! It's a strong name that's feminine and just a little different and whatever we choose to band our little bean she should be proud to be a little different and not so close minded traditionalist.

I don't think it's ridiculous!! There are names out there that really are ridiculous, I would class eliott as different not ridiculous.

OP posts:

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 19/07/2015 11:44

I like Elliott for a girl, I look at it in a similar way to Harriet

except you never hear of boys called Harriet do you.

There are people in the world who've never watched Scrubs.

To me it sounds far too try-hard and Elliotte even more so.
People being introduced to Ellie will always think her name's Eleanor and she'll spend a lifetime explaining that it's not and in official capacities and job applications etc. that she's not a man.

reuset · 19/07/2015 11:39

Elliotte spelling is just dreadful You jest I think

You wouldn't be the first to use Elliotte, though. I've seen it before, and more than once.

Alisvolatpropiis · 19/07/2015 11:35

I think Elliot for a girl is ridiculous but if you are really set on using it, for the love of God spell it properly not Elliotte.

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