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Baby names

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Eleanor or Celeste

79 replies

BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 00:33

Hi ladies,

We are stuck between these two names for our dd2. I’m currently over 41 weeks so she should be coming any day and we still haven’t decided Blush

Eleanor seems like a more classic, safe bet and Celeste is maybe a bit more out there though also a classic name it is far less common.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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FartnissEverbeans · 04/07/2018 08:13

Both names are lovely but I've taught so many Eleanors now that it's become a bit boring. Ellie is such an overused nickname now too.

Celeste is a bit different and quite cool. I'd choose that

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 07:05

Thank you marthasginyard (great sn). Good to hear people generally find it elegant and not a stripper name as I feared. Nothing wrong with strippers of course :) :)

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 07:04

*Their words, not there... why is mumsnet so typo inducing? And why can’t you edit posts Hmm

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MarthasGinYard · 04/07/2018 07:03

Celeste is classy and elegant

I have a friend called Celestia

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 07:01

Oh yes I know at least 4 Ellie’s, one of which is my husbands cousins niece...! His side of the family don’t really like Eleanor for that reason and have made it quite clear Grin I think they think said cousin a bit... common. There words not mine! Blush full name Ellie-Jade. I know I shouldn’t let that influence my choice but it does circle around my thoughts. And really I wouldn’t go for Ellie myself but it’s almost inevitable that’s what Eleanor will get shortened to isn’t it?

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RoseMartha · 04/07/2018 06:52

Eleanor is more widely used and I probably prefer it to Celeste .
But Celeste is unusual with out being way out. I have a friend who called her daughter Celeste but you don't hear it as much as Ellie all really Eleanor's and I probably know about five Ellie's .

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 06:52

Scottish, Eleanor and Celeste still slightly ahead for me though Helena was in my top 10 A’s was Heloise! I also love Aurelia but it’s my dd1 middle name :):)

Moveablefeast, what a lovely association! Thanks for sharing that... what did you name your girls? No problem if you’d rather not share!

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Movablefeast · 04/07/2018 06:47

Absolutely love Celeste! I know a Celeste who I met when she was around 50 and is now in her 70s and she has always been incredibly social and funny with a lot of friends and family. Although I always think of Celeste as a young beautiful woman when I think of the name.

Wish I had thought of Celeste when naming my own daughters as I would've definitely used it!

Scottishgirl85 · 04/07/2018 06:38

Oh go for Helena!!! Matilda and Helena 😍

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 06:31

Scottishgirl I love elena and even more so Helena!

Pilotswife, I agree about Ellie, I think it’s actually very cute but yes you do hear it a lot these days.

Ever since I was about 15 (almost 20 years ago!) I was set on Isabella but it’s also become quite popular and even though I know that shouldn’t really matter I can’t help but gravitate to slightly more unused names.

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pilotswife · 04/07/2018 06:28

Another for Celeste ....Eleanor / Ellie is pretty but far too over used

Scottishgirl85 · 04/07/2018 06:26

Not helpful but I think Elena goes really well with Matilda!

To me Eleanor is a very grown up serious name, so of your two I'd pick Celeste.

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 06:23

Oh thank you ladies! Smile

Drinkyourmilk, I also love the two together. Thank you for the middle Name suggestions, both are very sweet.

Nikimummy, I definitely see why you’d do that. My Matilda is most often called Matty and while I think it’s a cute nn, it’s not something I would have ever named her.

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nikimummy13 · 04/07/2018 06:07

I love Celeste more than Eleanor. Mine both have short names though because i didn't want them having nicknames from being shortened. A personal thing. Nothing against others but i have an Eve and Anya.

Swearwolf · 04/07/2018 06:05

I think Celeste is beautiful and elegant and has a similar feel to Matilda. Eleanor is quite dull, there are so many little Ellies around! Go for Celeste for sure.

drinkyourmilk · 04/07/2018 05:54

For middle name I'd have a name with hard 'a' or 'ee' sound at the end.
Eg Ava, or Molly.

Bumpitybumper · 04/07/2018 05:48

Another vote for Celeste. Eleanor is pretty but seems quite a serious name to me.

drinkyourmilk · 04/07/2018 05:46

I love Celeste.
I think Matilda and Celeste work beautifully,.

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 05:40

Thank you Ginandaplatonic, I want to hear the good as well as the bad :) is there any reason in particular you don’t like it? Do you think it could sound a bit too out there or “stripperish”? Thanks!

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 05:39

WhiteSea, that’s a very accurate description of the two names for me, classical vs whimsical! Initially I was set on calling her Eleanor Celeste but now Celeste has grown on me so much I’m
Considering it as a first name. I am however struggling to find a middle name which would go well with it.

I’m feeling good about the positive feedback so far though!

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Ginandplatonic · 04/07/2018 02:34

Love Eleanor and it's perfect with Matilda! Celeste isn't anywhere near as classic to me and I really dislike it.

Whitesea · 04/07/2018 02:30

I like both names and considered both. I had/have the same idea as you as I think Eleanor is more a classical name while Celeste is a bit more whimsical. I like both for exactly those reasons. I think, if I was to be called either of those names myself, I would choose Celeste.

Aintnothingbutaheartache · 04/07/2018 00:52

Celeste! It’s lovely 🤗

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 00:48

I looove Madeleine too but my dd1 is Matilda so, too similar!

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BarbieV7 · 04/07/2018 00:46

Good point, when I said classic I meant it’s not a made up name and it’s been around for a while but I can see that it’s not a “classic” name really.

Oh yes I am not a huge fan of Ellie unfortunately and it is likely to get shortened to that. I do like Elle though... Celeste I though cece (sisi) sounds sweet and though I would prefer neither to be shortened, we don’t really have much control of that do we?

Mybworry with Celeste is that I have seen some people mention is sounds a bit like a stripper name Confused to me it’s a delicate and romantic name but if that was he general vibe people had of it I wouldn’t want the poor babe to subjected to that!!

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