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Baby names

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

Original poster

Emily Ruth or Eliza Ruth

41 replies

Red86 · 04/01/2024 08:15

Which name sounds better, Emily or Eliza? I prefer the full name of Elizabeth but have an Elizabeth as a middle name in our family so I'm not sure I should use the full name as a first. Ruth is an honor name.

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bloodyeffinnora · 06/01/2024 14:02

I think, Ruth is a beautiful name

FayCarew · 06/01/2024 13:45

I don’t much like it, it sounds hard and cold. But it’s not weird or silly in any way.
I've never thought of it as hard and cold, but I know several Ruths.
It strikes me as a level-headed sort of name.
Celebrity-wise, I'd think Ruth Madoc, Ruth Jones and Ruthie Henshall.

It does seem a lot less frilly than a lot of the names that are around.
Emily and Eliza are quite vowelly with fits in with the current trends.

hcarter8 · 06/01/2024 13:33

I prefer Eliza, Emily was very popular about 20 years ago, it is starting to feel like a name that peaked in the 90s/00s now.

user1477391263 · 06/01/2024 13:31

I don’t understand why Ruth is tease-worthy. I don’t much like it, it sounds hard and cold. But it’s not weird or silly in any way.

Another vote for Eliza Ruth. Middle names are rarely used, who cares if someone in the family has Elizabeth as a middle name. I am not a fan of nicknamey names and I still think Eliza on its own is fine. Outside of Jane Austen I’ve never actually come across anyone using Eliza as a nickname for Elizabeth.

Whiskerson · 06/01/2024 13:19

ruthl76 · 06/01/2024 04:22

Why ? I was and have never been teased ? Rather perplexed by your comment . Naturally we all grew up in different areas and attended different schools .

I've also no idea why Ruth would be teased. I've known Ruths of all ages and never been aware of an issue. It's a nice and unremarkable name.

apronbellybarbie · 06/01/2024 12:12

Eliza Ruth flows better IMO

ruthl76 · 06/01/2024 04:22

Why ? I was and have never been teased ? Rather perplexed by your comment . Naturally we all grew up in different areas and attended different schools .

QueenOfMOHO · 04/01/2024 20:24

Eliza Ruth is gorgeous.

BoleynMemories13 · 04/01/2024 17:29

I prefer Eliza and, despite it's natural similarities, I've never seen this as a natural shortening for Elizabeth due to the different 'eye' and 'i' sounds. So I think it's fine to use despite your uncertainties regarding your other daughter's middle name.

However, if it does bother you Emily is fine.

Could Emma be a compromise between the two? I prefer Emma to Emily, personally.

pilates · 04/01/2024 10:23

Eliza Ruth

Outthedoor24 · 04/01/2024 10:20

Red86 · 04/01/2024 09:06

it's really amazing how many diminutives there actually are.. Lots that I had no idea even came from Elizabeth (like Lisa!)

Something more visually appealing about Lisa rather than Eliza.
I don't like the 'z' could Elisa be a name ?

Lisa is a bit further from Elizabeth another option could be Alisa

LittleMissSleepyUK · 04/01/2024 09:42

Definitely Eliza Ruth

Doublebiscuit77 · 04/01/2024 09:40

Emily Ruth or Elizabeth Ruth. Nothing wrong with the vibe of Eliza, and it's very trendy, i just personally really dislike the sound.

PickledScrump · 04/01/2024 09:40

Absolutely love Ruth as a first name. My husband wasn’t on board though. Eliza is less popular but Emily has a much nicer sound.

BaileysAllRound · 04/01/2024 09:19

Probably why I hate it. I'm not and never have been elegant so it is not me at all. Wish I had changed it many years ago!

Original poster
Red86 · 04/01/2024 09:12

@BaileysAllRound I'm sorry you hate your name! I have always thought Elizabeth the most elegant name

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BaileysAllRound · 04/01/2024 09:10

I'm an Elizabeth so would always vote against that for that reason (HATE my name!)
I prefer Emily Ruth but Eliza Ruth is lovely too and Eliza would be less common than Emily. Emily has been consistently popular for good reason though, solid, classic name.

Original poster
Red86 · 04/01/2024 09:07

Which now, I regret using a name with such amazing nickname appeal on a middle name, but, didn't think I'd have another daughter to get the chance to use it as a first.

OP posts:
Original poster
Red86 · 04/01/2024 09:06

it's really amazing how many diminutives there actually are.. Lots that I had no idea even came from Elizabeth (like Lisa!)

OP posts:
FayCarew · 04/01/2024 09:04

What @Whiskerson said. Also, which sounds better with the surname - Eliza Redred or Emily Redred?

Whiskerson · 04/01/2024 09:01

The question really is Eliza or Emily. Her middle name will rarely be seen or heard, so don't let it influence your choice - that's putting the cart before the horse. So, do you want a daughter called Emily or one called Eliza?

I also don't think it matters that your other daughter has Elizabeth as a middle name - I have known siblings like this, where the same name has been used as one's first name and the other's middle name. So if you prefer Elizabeth to Eliza and Emily, then use Elizabeth.

FayCarew · 04/01/2024 09:01

@NonSequentialRhubarb , it's probably from the times when not many names were in use and names were reused in families. If there were many Elizabeths in a family or neighbourhood, they'd be known by different diminutives.

Diminutives of Elizabeth seem to go through trends. Great-grandma might be Bessie, Granny Betty, Mum Liz, Me Lisa, Daughter Beth, DGD Libby etc

Namechange4448830938489 · 04/01/2024 08:59

Emily Ruth - my two favourite names!

FayCarew · 04/01/2024 08:57

I know quite a few Ruths of different ages and nationalities, and wasn't aware of any teasing.
I think of it as a pleasant enough name and all the Ruths seem really nice.

NonSequentialRhubarb · 04/01/2024 08:57

I like Eliza Ruth. Until this thread, I didn't know it was a nickname for Elizabeth so I don't think you need to go for the "full name". Eliza stands as a name on it's own

I'd actually think it was odd if I met an Elizabeth who went by Eliza. I've never encountered it and to me nicknames are verbal shortenings of how the name sounds out loud not how it looks on paper.