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Baby names

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

Original poster

The name Elsie? Too "old"?

36 replies

Woshambo · 24/04/2018 14:16

My partner wants us to give our baby the name Elsie if it's a girl. A lot of people are saying it's an "old woman's name".

However my DGM says that by the times she's going to school the name will be unheard of among her peers and not to worry.

What do you think?

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dingdongdigeridoo · 29/04/2018 22:22

It’s on my shortlist. It’s a family name on my DH side. I am a little worried that it’ll be too popular by next year. Number 30ish is fine but will have to keep an eye on the rankings!

CollyWombles · 28/04/2018 11:16

This is my DD name, she is 12. I named her after my wonderful gran. Everyone loves her name and it suits her to a tee.

whathaveiforgottentoday · 28/04/2018 11:16

Love it, one of the lovely older names coming back into fashion. Would definitely have it on my list.

ooobisto · 28/04/2018 11:14

I have an Elsa nn Elsie on occasions, so I'm biased but I love it. Strangely I never associated it with old ladies at all! As everyone has pointed out, it is rising rapidly in popularity so I don't think you need to be concerned by your families comments

Frazzled2207 · 28/04/2018 08:14

LC? That's awful.
Yeah is one of those old fashioned names back in fashion. Like Ivy/Iris.

4GreenApples · 28/04/2018 07:40

Elsie has risen massively in popularity over the last 10 years, and was ranked as the 31st most popular name in England and Wales in 2016 (2017 stats not out yet).

So I really wouldn’t worry about people thinking it’s too old fashioned!

names.darkgreener.com/#elsie

Oysterbabe · 28/04/2018 07:33

I know a 2 year old Elsie and also a 2 year old Mabel.

OrangeKitten · 28/04/2018 00:03

Elsie is lovely. I know one who's parents spelled it LC Hmm

TurquoiseDress · 27/04/2018 23:53

Definitely too cutesy for my liking!

It's gaining popularity (in London at least) and like quite a few others, lots of "old ladies names" are coming back into popular use.

chezmk1988 · 25/04/2018 21:43

Love it

LoveInTokyo · 25/04/2018 16:37

It won’t be “unheard of” because lots of people are calling their daughters Elsie these days.

But it is a bit too Victorian scullery maid for my liking.

flissfloss65 · 24/04/2018 15:56

It’s a cute name for a child not so sure on an adult.

I would choose a name like Elspeth or Elizabeth for the birth certificate and she can choose which to use when older.

GinIsIn · 24/04/2018 15:49

I like the name but always associate it with the dead prostitute in Cabaret, so it’s not one I could use!

ShowOfHands · 24/04/2018 15:39

Oh and Martha has been back for at least 10 years.

ShowOfHands · 24/04/2018 15:39

I know 4 under 5. And DH and I joked the other day that we haven't been to an English Heritage or National Trust property this year without meeting a little Mabel.

ILookedintheWater · 24/04/2018 15:34

25 years ago Daisy, Poppy etc were considered old fashioned.
Elsie is coming back: I've seen it mentioned on the boards here several times recently. I think it's lovely (also Polly and Martha- both due a revival)

stellinaa · 24/04/2018 15:29

I like it, though agree with pp that its really cutesy and actually more suited to a child. I don't think of it as an elderly name at all.

I would suggest using Elsie as a nn for a something perhaps more suitable for an adult too, such as Elizabeth, Elise, Eleanor, Elissa, Ellessia or Eloise. :)

KirstenRaymonde · 24/04/2018 15:19

It’s a lovely name and definitely having a renaissance.

Original poster
Woshambo · 24/04/2018 15:17

It was his aunt's pet name (her name was Veronica so not sure where it came from but he always called her it). So it's close to his heart.

I've not heard any children called it so maybe that's why I'm listening to others saying it's old as I know a few older women called it.

Our family always have odd names like Lillias instead of Lillian etc which I love.

I always associated Elsa with Born Free (the lioness) until I eventually gave in and saw Frozen lol.

Thank u all I'm feeling a bit better about it now. Hated being at school and being the only one with my name. As an adult I like it.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/04/2018 15:08

I started hearing it about two years' ago, think it appeals to parents who like Florence or Iris.

TroubledLichen · 24/04/2018 15:06

I don’t personally like it but for the exact opposite reason; I think it’s really cutesy and like most of those Victorian scullery maid names, great on a toddler but not so much on an adult. I’ve met a few so definitely think it’s back in fashion, if you love it then I definitely wouldn’t worry about it being an old lady name anyway!

IHaveBrilloHair · 24/04/2018 15:01

It's back in fashion as a cutesy name.

userabcname · 24/04/2018 14:58

I met a baby Elsie recently - definitely think it's back in fashion.

AnyaMoondial · 24/04/2018 14:57

Yes it's lovely. I like it short for Elsa.

FairyFantastic · 24/04/2018 14:57

I was under the impression Elsie was popular again (not popular popular, but more 'in fashion').

I really like the name :)

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