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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alice or Eilidh?

66 replies

Jaymar · 21/03/2023 20:25

We are expecting our second baby at the end of May. Don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl but we are set on Leo for a boy.

We already have a daughter called Lara.

What do you think of Alice or Eilidh? Hallie was also a contender but DH has gone off it. I like names that won’t be shortened and aren’t too cutesie or frilly.

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3littlebeans · 22/03/2023 20:28

Alice is much nicer than eye lid :)

KirstenBlest · 22/03/2023 20:23

Alice. Eilidh is lovely, but there are so many vowelly names currently popular that they sound a bit samey.

ScandiNoirNuit · 22/03/2023 19:54

If you are moving south, be aware you are likely consigning her to a lifetime of having people mispronounce her name… I had no idea it was pronounced that way, nor how to pronounce some of the other ones mentioned here!

love the Lara and Leo combo though!

shoopshoopdedoo · 22/03/2023 19:42

Alice! Love it

Sworntofun · 22/03/2023 18:40

Alice is lovely - not wet, dull or insipid! I’m biased though as that’s my daughter’s name. She is none of the adjectives suggested by previous posters.

Twoinapod · 22/03/2023 09:08

I’d say Alice. I love it but it’s been used by a family member. Beautiful strong name and a classic.

Eilidh I would have no idea how to pronounce. My mind always says el-eh-duh but I’m very aware that’s incorrect.

Original poster
Jaymar · 22/03/2023 07:22

Ok I think I’m leaning towards Alice after all of your comments and suggestions. Pronunciation and spelling of Eilidh is a consideration as we plan to move down South in a couple of years.

OP posts:
LadyWithLapdog · 22/03/2023 06:02

I like both names. If you’re looking for non-frilly feminine names, how about Noemi or Naomi?

I heard of a baby Hallie just this week. Misheard it as Kelly, but now I’m familiar with it I’ll get used to it. I think it would be the same with Eilidh, people only need to hear it once to get used to it.

JosieB68 · 22/03/2023 05:56

I love all your names choices, honestly if we have a boy one day he’ll be Leo.
Alice and Eilidh both lovely if my DH was in agreement our daughter would be Eilidh but unfortunately he’s not. I’m Scottish too and no issues with the pronunciation x

sanityisamyth · 22/03/2023 05:51

SunsetStrip · 21/03/2023 21:51

My cousin is married to an Eilidh, we all call her Eyelid when talking about her, never to her. Lol

Hilarious. Why take the piss out of a perfectly nice name?

user1492757084 · 22/03/2023 04:34

Lara and Leo sound great.
Lara and Alice is the best together.

Others ..
Haylee
Eliza
Annice
Celia
Kitty
Helen - same 'light' meaning as Eilidh
Ailie
Aline

Ihavehadenoughalready · 22/03/2023 03:26

Alice or what, now?

I have a Leo, too. Love that name.

Canyousewcushions · 21/03/2023 23:10

If you're in Scotland then there are a lot if young Eilidhs around at the minute- it's a really lovely name, but there are 3 in my oldest daughter's class. I've also heard a lot of interesting mispronunciations when non Scottish colleagues rang to speak to Eilidh at work.

For those reasons I think Alice!

(Though also love Elspeth and Ishbel and Flora for other Scottish inspired names).

nildesparandum · 21/03/2023 23:10

Alice was my late MIL's name If I say how she got that name it would ''out '' me

ourflagmeansdeath · 21/03/2023 23:00

On a side note, love the combo of Lara and Leo 😁I'm a fan of alliteration names that aren't too similar and this is perfect!

ourflagmeansdeath · 21/03/2023 22:59

I feel like Lara and Alice is a much better match to Lara and Eilidh which sounds a little odd. Alice is a beautiful name imo as well! A lot of people won't know to pronounce Eilidh (like me who had to google it) so it'll def get mispronounced a lot.

Santasoorplooms · 21/03/2023 22:47

Eilidh. Great name.

Luredbyapomegranate · 21/03/2023 22:46

Eilidh - great name
Far too many Alices and Hallie is meh

if you think it will be too much of a PITA for spelling then Ailsa is an alternative

SunsetStrip · 21/03/2023 21:51

My cousin is married to an Eilidh, we all call her Eyelid when talking about her, never to her. Lol

IrnBruTortie · 21/03/2023 21:14

Eilidh, definitely, love it (We couldn't use it because close friends have a wee girl called Eilidh, or we would have done)

derbylass81 · 21/03/2023 21:08

olympicsrock · 21/03/2023 21:04

How do you pronounce Eilidh? It’s one of those Gaelic names I struggle with? Like aoife Saoirse and Niamh .

Ay-lee

Original poster
Jaymar · 21/03/2023 21:07

@olympicsrock like Hayley without the ‘H’

OP posts:
olympicsrock · 21/03/2023 21:04

How do you pronounce Eilidh? It’s one of those Gaelic names I struggle with? Like aoife Saoirse and Niamh .

Original poster
Jaymar · 21/03/2023 20:58

I do understand some people saying Alice is a bit dull. Me and DH like very different names to each other so only seem to agree on some very safe options in the middle.

OP posts:
derbylass81 · 21/03/2023 20:57

I've never understood the love for Alice. It's a bit wet and it's more or less just Alison, which gets no love.

Eilidh is nice. I like non frilly names too. How about Olive, Helen (nickname Nell), Sarah, Catherine or Claire?

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