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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ellis? For a boy

81 replies

ILookAtTheFloor · 03/05/2023 11:25

So I'm pregnant with a boy after having two girls! DH and I had never agreed on a boy's name, were convinced this was another DD who would've been Margot, middle name Anne.

Alas, it's a boy and we couldn't agree. I adore Alastair but he won't budge. He thinks it's poncy. He likes names I hate such as Billy.

The closest we can get to agree is on Ellis. If you heard the name, would you assume boy or girl? I really want a traditional but not popular name. Is it a good one?? I need reassurance 😁

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baddecisions11 · 03/05/2023 13:30

Ellis was on my list for a boy. I love it!

KirstenBlest · 03/05/2023 13:29

Alastair is nice, but beware the various spellings. I like Billy short for William.

@birkies , why do you think I posted about being called Elsie? Nicknames evolve and kids are kids.

LadyJ2023 · 03/05/2023 13:26

I dont like it but the Ellis x 2 at our kids school are both girls

ellenpartridge · 03/05/2023 13:20

Definitely a boys name. I know quite a few boys called Ellis and only ever met one girl. I am in the south West if that makes a difference.

Mama05070704 · 03/05/2023 13:17

I’m not a fan of the name Billy either.

Mama05070704 · 03/05/2023 13:17

I have an Ellis (boy) and he has never been called anything other than his name.

I’ve met several Ellis’; 2 girls and 5 boys, so definitely more common as a boys name.

Pranakdj · 03/05/2023 13:15

I love it, it’s def a boys name for me. I also really like Eli.

Arthur is very popular around here, Billy is ok. I’m not a fan of Alistair.

mintich · 03/05/2023 13:13

My friend has an Ellis! He's a lovely little boy

user1483387154 · 03/05/2023 13:11

i would asume girl because the only people I Know with this name are women, for men in our counry Elias or Illias is norally used

IglesiasPiggl · 03/05/2023 13:10

Personally I don't like how Ellis sounds when spoken. Some of the less popular classics are Stanley, Walter, Joseph and Robert.

Blossomandbee · 03/05/2023 13:10

Ellis is very much a boys name imo. I only know one and he's a really nice boy.
I'm not keen on Billy, when I was at school it was used as an insult, but that might have changed now!
I agree with your DH on Alistair sorry

chillih · 03/05/2023 13:07

I like it, was on my list for DS Smile

CastleTower · 03/05/2023 13:05

Really nice, I know one baby Ellis (boy).

Heartofglass12345 · 03/05/2023 13:05

I have an Ellis, I love it Smile he's 9 and has never been called Elsie lol

birkies · 03/05/2023 13:04

Lovely - and ignore poster above I highly doubt a boy called Ellis will get called Elsie or Els. It'll be El or Ellis.

luckylavender · 03/05/2023 13:03

Ellis is definitely a boy's name. It's nice.

WombatBombat · 03/05/2023 13:03

Seems to be really popular (along with Arthur) in the South West. Not sure if it’s cos there’s lots of Welsh people here, but I know 4 under 4.

caringcarer · 03/05/2023 13:02

I have a nephew called Ellis. He is 19 now.

hlc123 · 03/05/2023 12:28

I love the name Ellis but my husband wasn't a fan. Only met a few and I have worked in schools and nurseries for a long time.

FlounderingFruitcake · 03/05/2023 12:21

I think of it as a girl’s name. There are 2 female characters called Ellis in Greys Anatomy. Also it blends in with the Ella, Ellie, Eleanor type names which are very popular.

Arthur is great. There isn’t a single one at DS’s nursery or DD’s school yet I used to go to a group where a third of the babies were called Quinn (mix of boys and girls). Name popularity is weird sometimes! I wouldn’t write off a name just because it’s top 5. The multiples at DD’s school are all names you wouldn’t expect e.g. there’s only 1 Oliver but loads of Sebastians.

CatOnTheChair · 03/05/2023 12:09

I'd assume a boy.
It's better than Billy.
Arthur is better again. Who cares if it popular.

MarriedAMusicMan · 03/05/2023 12:05

I had a childhood friend called Ellis and he was a boy. I didn’t realise it was also a girls name until someone I met in my 20s said her sister was called Ellis. I wouldn’t assume male or female now, but I think it sounds more male.

Laurdo · 03/05/2023 12:04

I know of 2 boys called Ellis, both teenagers. I think it's lovely and not too popular.

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 03/05/2023 11:55

I've never heard of Ellis being used as a girl's name. There's boy called Ellis in my daughter's class - I think it's a good name.

TallulahBetty · 03/05/2023 11:45

Love it - I wanted it for a boy but DH vetoed - we had a DD anyway.