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Baby names

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

Original poster

Celeste or Eleanor?

61 replies

GlizzyOverdrive · 07/09/2023 20:37

Which name do you prefer and why?

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LlynTegid · 08/09/2023 13:32

Eleanor. Reminds me of a Lindisfarne song, Lady Eleanor, probably their finest song.

peaceinourtime · 08/09/2023 11:52

Eleanor for sure. Celeste is one of those dreary names that you never hear or want to.

user1492757084 · 08/09/2023 11:34

I prefer Eleanor.
Do you like Celia or Cedella?

Snugglemonkey · 08/09/2023 11:27

I like Celeste. I prefere the sound. I also love Celestine. CeeCee is cute too.

Eleanor is grand. I don't get the multiple pronunciation bit. I have only heard Ellen-or. I hate Ellie though, so that puts me off. I like Nell though.

threecupsofteaminimum · 08/09/2023 11:11

Ooh yeh, Cece, pronounced See-see, like her off First Dates who works in the restaurant!

GoodNightJasmine · 08/09/2023 11:01

I LOVE the song Lady Eleanor by Lindisfarne.
I HATE the song Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles.

eandz13 · 08/09/2023 10:59

I'm an Eleanor, I love my name. Never had issues with anyone's pronunciation and I've travelled all over 🤷🏻‍♀️

Obviously my vote is Eleanor, but they're both lovely names.

GoodNightJasmine · 08/09/2023 10:59

Les, Lessie.

GoodNightJasmine · 08/09/2023 10:58

Cel, Celly, Leste, Lesty, Letty, Sally, Ellie, Cece, Tete.

Pawpawpatrol · 08/09/2023 10:46

Lettie is the obvious shortening of Celeste to me.

Thatsmorethanhalf · 08/09/2023 10:42

threecupsofteaminimum · 08/09/2023 10:31

Cellie?

Yeah probably

threecupsofteaminimum · 08/09/2023 10:31

Cellie?

Thatsmorethanhalf · 08/09/2023 10:24

Celeste is lovely. I always wonder what they will be shortened to by their friends, and decide whether I could live with the shortened version too. Eleanor would probably be Ellie, but I’m not sure about Celeste?

GoodNightJasmine · 08/09/2023 10:09

Or a, not on a

GoodNightJasmine · 08/09/2023 10:09

Picking an out-there name may seem like a good idea at first, but it can lose its appeal quickly once everyone jumps on the bandwagon.

Some names lose their charm as soon as they lose their rarity.

I think Eleanor is overdone and I wouldn't use it on a girl born today. Celeste reminds of Lester and of the contraceptive (Marina too). I could envision a baby carriage company on a luxurious ocean liner selecting the name Celeste.

PickledScrump · 08/09/2023 05:14

@CurlewKate

Ellen-OR
El-EN-uh
eh-LAIN-uh
even known one pronounced Eh-LEAN-a

there will be lots of variations on the end being Nor/na/nuh

charabang · 08/09/2023 04:35

Celeste or Celestine is very pretty. Eleanor getting shortened to Ellie would put me off; Elle or Nora not quite so much.

CurlewKate · 08/09/2023 04:19

Eleanor. Shortened to Nell. So gorgeous.

What pronounciation issues are there with Eleanor?

Riverlee · 08/09/2023 03:13

Eleanor.

Notkeen on Celeste’s.

TaylorJoy · 08/09/2023 02:59

Celeste

WrenNatsworthy · 08/09/2023 00:00

Eleanor.
Celeste was my contraceptive pill in the 90s.

Wrongsideofpennines · 07/09/2023 23:58

Celeste
Eleanor is dated now. And I'm not keen on the nickname Ellie which she inevitably will get.

Rattysparklebum · 07/09/2023 23:56

DD has friends named Eleanor and Celestine, both lovely names.

toomanyleggings · 07/09/2023 23:50

Celeste sounds softer to me and prettier. I don’t like the ‘Orr’ sound on Eleanor. Sounds harsh. Eleanor I envisage as boring and dowdy. Celeste sounds like somebody special, a bit quirky, attractive and clever.

SquigglePigs · 07/09/2023 23:43

Definitely Eleanor. Sorry, I don't much like Celeste.