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Baby names

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

Original poster

Eileen

56 replies

Teddyyybeaaar · 15/03/2022 10:03

Hi, i like the sound of the name Eline(eh-leen), but i am afraid that its would be hard to pronounce and often mistaken for other names like elaine, ellen.. Now i am thinking of Eileen. Its well known, kind of rolls better off the tongue than Eline. What are your thoughts on Eileen? I regularly see that its an old lady name. I haven't found any new opinions on this name as first name. What do you think about this Name today? Still dated? Ready for an comeback, if so? Professional? Whimsical? Does it suit a cool girl? Eline or Eileen?

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thebellsesmereldathebells · 15/03/2022 17:41

I adore the name Eileen, I think it's beautiful. I floated it on MN once and was roundly assured that it was hideous. Didn't put me off Grin

Pemba · 15/03/2022 17:40

Or your suggestion of Eline of course, not heard of that before but sounds fine. Where does it come from?

Pemba · 15/03/2022 17:38

I would think a typical Eileen would be aged about 70 now. I don't find it beautiful, and there are so many other lovely similar names, Elena, Ellen etc are all so much nicer. Even Elaine, though people might also call that dated, it's just got a nicer sound.

17caterpillars1mouse · 15/03/2022 15:22

I think it's a lovely name. I imagine a strong child and woman.

organicoatmilk · 15/03/2022 14:50

Even though I love a lot of old lady sounding names, Eileen is a no from me. Eline is much nicer.

Sunbird24 · 15/03/2022 13:54

I like Eline, and would assume it was pronounced as you described. She could always be Ellie for Starbucks…

ISmellBurnings · 15/03/2022 13:46

Awful. Dated, frumpy and not due a comeback.

PineappleWilson · 15/03/2022 13:32

What about Isla, maybe look for a name that sounds similar, without the Eil start. I'd avoid Eileen. For me it's of a generation of names like Doreen that are functional but not beautiful.

garythesnail · 15/03/2022 13:20

What do you call a girl with one leg longer than the other?

Eileen

(Sorry! Blush)

BrennieGirl · 15/03/2022 12:30

Middle name for Eileen? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/4467509-middle-name-for-eileen

This came up recently.

SummaLuvin · 15/03/2022 12:29

Makes me think of Eileen Grimshaw from Corrie. It is dated, probably won't come back for 15-20 years, but I'm sure it will. It's not awful, but I'm not fond and there isn't nice diminutives.

Fl0w3ry · 15/03/2022 12:21

Really don’t like it. I know an Eileen and the song plays in my head every time she texts me 😂

RuthW · 15/03/2022 12:19

No

MrsLargeEmbodied · 15/03/2022 10:49

what about
Aileen

Ashara · 15/03/2022 10:48

There was a young woman in the Winter Olympics recently, a snowboarder maybe, who was Asian-American I think and she was called Eileen. It struck me because it's so unusual on a young girl but she was very cool & I thought it was lovely.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 15/03/2022 10:48

i bought the record when it first came out, in 12 inch vinyl

DoucheCanoe · 15/03/2022 10:45

@irishfarmer I'm in my mid 30's and have heard that song a million times, not a name I've really heard elsewhere though so maybe that's why it's my first association!

user1493494961 · 15/03/2022 10:44

It's awful.

Concestor · 15/03/2022 10:39

I'm in my 40s and my first thought was the song. Having said that I work with an Eileen and don't think of the song with her, so it's just a fleeting thing. I do think it's quite an old fashioned name though

aliloandabanana · 15/03/2022 10:35

I take it you don't watch Coronation Street?

PancakeBae · 15/03/2022 10:35

DH & I were watching television the other night and someone called Eileen popped up, with a problem. Instantly and simultaneously, we both said, 'Come on, Eileen!'

I think it's ingrained in British people of a certain age.

most people over 40 will associate it with grandmas or fiddles/dungarees, but it might feel fresh for a younger generation?

irishfarmer · 15/03/2022 10:34

I like it. I do know the song but it isn't the first thing that came to mind. The song is 40 years old! So a bit before my time, I think I've only heard drunk people in their 50s/60s sing it on NYE

DoucheCanoe · 15/03/2022 10:29

Eh-leen is also pretty clunky so wouldn't use that either.

How about Eleyna (E-lay-na)?

DoucheCanoe · 15/03/2022 10:26

Come on, Eileen?!

Please don't, my name is in a song title and people sing it at me all the bloody time 🙄

Abouttoblow · 15/03/2022 10:20

I've never heard of Eline (ee-line). Are you trying to decide between this and Eileen?
I'd go with Eileen.