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Baby names

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

Original poster

Girls names, are these a bit too "old lady"?

142 replies

Pickledegg · 20/03/2008 22:11

Florence
Clara
Elsie
Celia / Cecelia
Mabel

This is my shortlist of girls names. I love them (obviously!), but some people have said they're a bit too "old lady".

What do you think?

Any you particularly like /object to?

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MadameCh0let · 20/03/2008 22:54

No, they are not old lady enough.

AbbeyA · 20/03/2008 22:52

I think Elsie is a real great aunt name (I had 2) and never liked them-it is like Ethel, Freda and Doris. Similarly dislike Mabel. Clara and Florence are quite pretty.Prefer Cecilia to Celia.I know a 40 year old Hilda and the name seems odd on her-can't imagine it on a baby!

hippipotami · 20/03/2008 22:51

I LOVE them all, absolutely LOVE them. In fact I wanted Florence but dh didn't like it

Sidge · 20/03/2008 22:48

I love Clara (it was on my list, as was Claudia and Elizabeth) but I'm not as keen on the others.

DontCallMeBunny · 20/03/2008 22:48

They're nice old lady names. My great aunt Elsie just died on Monday - go on, have an Elsie, the world needs another one now.

Original poster
Pickledegg · 20/03/2008 22:48

So what would a Florence be called for short - Flo, Florrie? I don't really like Flo, but Florrie ok.

I think my favourites are Clara, and Elsie. Would Elsie be better as Elizabeth / Elspeth?

OP posts:
tummytickler · 20/03/2008 22:44

Edam - i am fighting for a dc5 at the mo - if it is a dd there will be a Hilda - we cant have the name teetering on the edge of extinction like this. It is a mighty fine name!
Little baby Hildy - bless!
But then i like the stodgy old names - all my kids have the names of bearded old men (and bearded old crones for that matter ), Bring out the Hildas, the Gerties andthe Enids i say!

MrsMattie · 20/03/2008 22:43

I like Florence and Celia/Cecelia - not keen on the others. Mabel in particular I think is too twee.

seeker · 20/03/2008 22:43

Oh, and if you're going for Betty, then have Elizabeth-to-be-known-as Betty. It's give her so many options!

seeker · 20/03/2008 22:41

There's an awful Lois in a book I loved as a child - it's tainted the name for me for ever.

Please not Hilda - I have a friend called Hilda and she ahs ALWAYS hated it!

Esme is lovely

Aurelia?

Ruby?

Ethel?

Evangeline?

edam · 20/03/2008 22:34

Aw, it's nice to know there's one person who likes the name, Tummy. My great-aunt Hilda died on Sunday and I was kind of musing that it might be quite a while before I come across any new Hildas.

Original poster
Pickledegg · 20/03/2008 22:32

Mmmm not sure about Lois. Don't know why! Oh I know - Superman!

Lilian would be shortened to Lily and I know quite a few baby Lily's already, including my friend's DD.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pickledegg · 20/03/2008 22:27

Kittywise - where do you live. I've not heard of any baby Florences or Elsies round here.

I like Emse too, dizzy!

Not too sure about Estella, it sounds too much like Stella (a pint of...!), to me ~(daft I know).

OP posts:
tummytickler · 20/03/2008 22:25

Love Clara, Florence and Mabel too

tummytickler · 20/03/2008 22:24

Dh wanted to call ds Hilda if he was a dd - i like it!

snooks · 20/03/2008 22:24

Love them all, also as mentioned Violet and Betty/Bette. Clara is my fave, it's beautiful.

I am biased on old lady names though - think we've settled on Pearl for new dd

What about Lois?

Jane68 · 20/03/2008 22:23

Not a bad bunch of names there, really like Mabel in a wierd way. I wanted Cicely for the baby I'm expecting now but other half has vetoed it, I'm gutted.

southeastastra · 20/03/2008 22:21

lilian

Heated · 20/03/2008 22:21

Fab names!

Love Mabel and Clara but think Florence and Cecelia are lovely too. Elsie is a bit too 'now' and feels more nicknamey than the others imo.

So I'd choose Mabel, Clara or Florence

Beauregard · 20/03/2008 22:21

Clara?
Edie?
Madeline?
Trixie?

mybrainaches · 20/03/2008 22:20

Blanch?

PeppermintPatty · 20/03/2008 22:19

My sis nearly called her DD Mabel but her DH wouldn't allow it!

mybrainaches · 20/03/2008 22:19

Ethel?

edam · 20/03/2008 22:19

Old lady names are becoming really popular. But I haven't seen anyone calling their baby Hilda yet - one step too far?

hatrick · 20/03/2008 22:18

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