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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Elsie Mabel

67 replies

ExpatMrs · 10/04/2017 19:22

I know it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks other than me and DH, however, my DM (who is the only grandparent - rest deceased 😞) absolutely detests it. She thinks it's so old. Whereas I think it's classic.

Anyway - what's the MN's thoughts on it?

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reuset · 10/04/2017 22:51

It's just their personal opinion. I said Calliope was ugly this week (another, long, thread ) lots disagreed

MaroonPencil · 10/04/2017 22:48

I never understand when people say Mabel is an ugly name - it has the sound May and Belle, how is that ugly?

reuset · 10/04/2017 22:48

Yes agree, Victorian maid -type names will probably be dated in a few years.

Itaintme · 10/04/2017 22:45

Mabel is such an ugly name though.

portico · 10/04/2017 22:41

Love the name Elsie Mabel. These are long lost names. They are brilliant. Go for it. 😀

Sophronia · 10/04/2017 22:39

That's true! I suppose I mean the Victorian maid type names will date soon.

reuset · 10/04/2017 22:35

Yes. The 'old lady trend' will always exist, just the names will change. It's also subjective, one person's 'old' will be another person's 'middle aged' etc etc

What Frenchlavender said, anyway

FrenchLavender · 10/04/2017 22:12

Soph the old lady name trend isn't going to date any time soon, it's just that each generation has a different idea of what names qualify as 'old lady' depending on what their grans and great grans were called. I'm in my fifties and by the time I am in my eighties my name will be an old lady name. I'll be on the list along with all the other old ladies of my era - the Karens and Sharons and Lisas and Deborahs!

FrameyMcFrame · 10/04/2017 21:43

My middle name is Elsie.
I was ashamed of it!! Can't believe it's back in fashion.

my first name is also v old fashioned but is not a new trendy name yet.

Sophronia · 10/04/2017 21:40

Very trendy and the old lady name trend is going to seem so dated soon.

DramaAlpaca · 10/04/2017 21:37

I'm with your DM, I'm afraid. But I'm probably more her age than yours. To me they are granny names, and not particularly nice ones. They are certainly not classic names.

Elizabeth Mabel nn Elsie is much nicer.

SuperBeagle · 10/04/2017 21:36

They're not classic names, because classic implies they can't be tied to a certain era/generation and that's not the case with Elsie or Mabel. A classic name would be something like Elizabeth or Alexandra. They've been popular for decades upon decades, and have never fallen out of favour.

I personally find the combination of Elsie Mabel a bit too old, but don't mind Elsie alone (not a fan of Mabel). I'd be inclined to go with something a bit fresher as a middle name.

ChippieFishieHorshie · 10/04/2017 21:02

They are currently really really trendy... Very 'granny chic', not classic. I think they may date...

What abouf Elizabeth/Elisabeth? That is imo a truly 'classic' name. And Elsie could be a nn?

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 10/04/2017 20:51

I prefer Mabel Elsie.

crookedhooker · 10/04/2017 20:51

I love them. My new little doll for my craft business is Mabel picked by my 9 year old DS.

KanyeWesticle · 10/04/2017 20:49

Could you go for Elizabeth Mabel? You can still call her Elsie.

Astro55 · 10/04/2017 20:42

Elsie isn't that different from Ellie or Elise Elena really

The think it's lovely and changes perception that little girls

RaisinBread · 10/04/2017 20:32

They sound like the Granny Chic names which are currently trendy now.

But when I hear these names I have to admit I picture an old lady, not a toddler, pre-teen, teen, young woman - just a doddery old lady.

Which I don't when I hear true classic names, as they tend to transition well through all life stages.

FrenchLavender · 10/04/2017 20:27

They are not classic names. They are names that were typical of a certain era and are fashionable again now. Elsie in particular is becoming quite popular.

Your mum is obviously of an age where she remembers the older women around her being called things like Elsie and Mabel and she associates the names with those older women from her childhood. It's difficult to get past those associations and see those names as cute or trendy or aspirational.

I suppose it's like you trying to imagine your DD one day calling her own child a name that is typical of your mum's era, like Pauline, Jackie, Donna, Diane, Maureen, Hilary, Wendy, Joanne etc. You wouldn't love it, would you?

Thatextrainch · 10/04/2017 20:26

Op Imogen was the 34th most popular name in 2015. Elsie was the 33rd most popular

user1471558436 · 10/04/2017 20:10

Maeve Maude Mabel. All lovely.

Original poster

ExpatMrs · 10/04/2017 20:08

Well now I know why no one else has ever thought it! I know a good few Emma's and they're all hugely different - servant never jumped to mind.

I'm now imagining I'm writing a book with a servant character in it and need a name... I actually can't think!

OP posts:

merrymouse · 10/04/2017 20:07

I think they are both lovely.

SumAndSubstance · 10/04/2017 20:01

What constitutes a 'servants' name?!

'Emma', apparently

Original poster

ExpatMrs · 10/04/2017 19:55

NannyPlum I loved Alexandra but DH not a fan.
I don't mind Mabel but I don't love it enough to be a first name.

We have our boys name sorted so should probably just hope that the baby is male and then we won't have this worry!

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