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Baby names

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

Original poster

Elizabeth or Rose?

40 replies

babynamehelp9338 · 12/06/2022 11:37

Currently trying to pick a baby name and Elizabeth and Rose are our two most favoured. Elizabeth has a very long history in my family, ranging from being used for a countess to modern day family members. It’s only ever used as a middle name in our family but I love it as a first. Rose is also a family name, however our family tends to use Rosina and Rosalie. I prefer just Rose as I think it’s sweeter short.

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Original poster
babynamehelp9338 · 12/06/2022 18:11

I forgot about the link with the queen and the jubilee - we don’t live in an area where it would be celebrated. I do prefer Rose as a first to a middle, it’s short and sweet. Elizabeth is far longer in comparison and one of the things I like about it is the plethora of nns.

OP posts:
mocktail · 12/06/2022 17:35

I know three girls called Elizabeth, all ages between 12 and 14. One is known as Elizabeth, one as Libby and one as Betsy.

mocktail · 12/06/2022 17:34

I love Rose as a first name and haven't often come across it despite how popular it is as a middle name.

Elizabeth is very classic. I'm not crazy about the full version but there are loads of nicknames you could choose from. Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Libby, Bess, Betsy....

Barleysugar86 · 12/06/2022 17:29

I think Elizabeth and Rose are both nice but Rosa would be the top choice for me, pretty and also less common.

I think the problem with Elizabeth as a first name is it's too wordy so that isn't really what anyone is likely to call her. She'd probably be Liz tbh. And that would mean I'd much prefer to have a Rose/ Rosa where that would actually be the name everyone uses.

My mum used a name like Elizabeth for my sister and was determined she would be the long version of her name and only used that, but of course by the time she started school everyone started using the short form and my sister did too and it was probably inevitable!

Goldfishmountainclimber · 12/06/2022 17:22

Both names are lovely, op.
As someone suggested above, maybe wait until she arrives and see which one suits her best. You have two great options.

SmellsLikeMiddleAgeSpirit · 12/06/2022 17:05

Rose. It’s a beautiful name, and underused as a first name.

Elizabeth is a good name, too, but with the jubilee and everything it will look like she’s been named after Her Maj.

Original poster
babynamehelp9338 · 12/06/2022 16:55

I think I’d prefer NNs like Liz, Lizzie or Eliza. Personally I don’t like the sound of Beth on its own. MN for Rose is Irene and the MN for Elizabeth is Mary. Irene used to actually be a choice for her first until we decided that it was going to be either Elizabeth or Rose.

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 12/06/2022 16:47

It seems that every little girl has Rose, Grace or May as a middle name

If you go with Elizabeth, try to consider which short form to use and any that you don't want. Elizabeth is long. My cousin has an Elizabeth but it tends to get said as Lizbeth by her siblings but written in full

Original poster
babynamehelp9338 · 12/06/2022 16:28

I agree that Rose is overused as a middle and have an idea for a MN if we choose Rose. I do like Elizabeth Rose. Both are so pretty and so hard to choose between. 😁

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 12/06/2022 13:40

Elizabeth.

They are both popular but Elizabeth more classic and many short form options, so she doesn’t become one of 6 Rosies.

erinaceus · 12/06/2022 13:27

Elisabeth Rose is terribly pretty.

FayCarew · 12/06/2022 13:12

I prefer Elizabeth, but if you are going to use both I'd use Rose as the first name. Rose as a middle is done to death.
This

AyeEee123 · 12/06/2022 11:54

Rose is lovely and I love Rosa even more.

Twizbe · 12/06/2022 11:50

I much prefer Elizabeth. It's timeless and works for any age.

I'm biased as I'm an Elizabeth (though as a 5 year old I was desperate to be called Rosie)

However, if you're down to 2 I'd wait now to see what she looks like. One might just fit better.

toastofthetown · 12/06/2022 11:43

I prefer Elizabeth, but if you are going to use both I'd use Rose as the first name. Rose as a middle is done to death.

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