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Baby names

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

Original poster

Eliza or Esmée?

54 replies

Anametolove · 07/02/2024 20:14

Just that, really, DD2 due in a few weeks and we were set on Esmée (spelt this way as half our family is French), but DH threw Eliza in the mix, and I really like it too.

Both would go well with our simple surname of one syllable.

So coming here for a quick poll. Would love to hear your opinion on which name is your favourite and why :)

Thanks!

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theduchessofspork · 07/02/2024 21:18

Possibly spell it Elisabeth though, given the French connection

theduchessofspork · 07/02/2024 21:18

Eliza - ideally short for Elizabeth, so she has lots of options.

Esme has been so overdone, and shot up so fast it will date. The French spelling comes over as extra fussy in the UK, like spelling Juliet Juliette, and it will get misspelt all the time.

cheshiregal31 · 07/02/2024 21:16

I like Eliza.
Suits all stages of life.

She could shorten it to lizzie, Liz, El as she gets older.

Notalldogs23 · 07/02/2024 21:13

Is Eliza a familiar name in France? If your daughter ends up living in France in the future will she have any problems with having to spell her name out etc?

PastTheGin · 07/02/2024 21:11

They are both beautiful names! If you can live with Esmée sometimes being pronounced Es-me, then go for it.
Will Eliza morph into Elise or Elisa in France?

Original poster
Anametolove · 07/02/2024 21:04

Love Eloise too! And I would have 100% picked it if it wasn't my first degree cousin's name :( @MissRheingold

OP posts:
MissRheingold · 07/02/2024 21:03

Eliza and I also love Eloise.

Original poster
Anametolove · 07/02/2024 21:03

Other options were Isabella and Alice.

ooh I can't seem to be able to make a decision!

i might have the wait for the birth

OP posts:
Original poster
Anametolove · 07/02/2024 20:58

Very good point @MrsTerryPratchett

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 07/02/2024 20:57

I love them both but special characters are a total PITA for the modern world. Everything is input and stored online and I guarantee she will be 'lost' in some systems.

SwedishEdith · 07/02/2024 20:55

No, Eliza doesn't get shortened to Liz or Lizzie. That sound comes from Elizabeth not Eliza.

suafa · 07/02/2024 20:55

I know an Eliza. She is lovely!

Original poster
Anametolove · 07/02/2024 20:52

Thank you everyone for your opinion!

I have a name that has different spellings and mine is unusual, always had to spell it for people but it didn't bother me.

I am French so DD will be half French, half British.

So far is seems Eliza gets the most votes, does it get routinely shortened? I like the full name, not keen on Ellie, Liz etc.

Esmée would honor my French heritage more, although I wonder if I wouldn't shoot myself in the foot with the spelling, with people ommitting the accent and therefore pronouncing it "me" instead of my preferred pronunciation "meh". Which the accent would enforce, for French people.

OP posts:
Pacifybull · 07/02/2024 20:48

YourLocal · 07/02/2024 20:31

I think Esmeè is nicer considering having some family being French x

This is a good example of why not to choose Esmée.

Eliza is much better.

GreenCereal · 07/02/2024 20:43

muchalover · 07/02/2024 20:32

My son went to school with an Esme. Such a lovely name.

Eliza will likely be Lizzie or Liz.

I don't think Lizzie or Liz are natural nicknames for Eliza, as it's a different sound.

DGPP · 07/02/2024 20:32

Eliza

muchalover · 07/02/2024 20:32

My son went to school with an Esme. Such a lovely name.

Eliza will likely be Lizzie or Liz.

YourLocal · 07/02/2024 20:31

I think Esmeè is nicer considering having some family being French x

HuntingoftheSnark · 07/02/2024 20:29

Eliza, definitely. Easy to spell and pronounce, not too common, suits all ages, really nice name.

DuchessOfSausage · 07/02/2024 20:28

Eliza as it only has one spelling and pronunciation.

Onelife2024 · 07/02/2024 20:27

I vote for Esmee! I love how simple and pretty it is, and great for all ages! The extra e will mean some
spelling errors but not a major drawback, in my opinion, and well worth it to reflect your French heritage. It’s not too overused but it’s familiar.

I like Eliza too, it’s just if I imagine which name I’d feel more comfortable introducing myself as, I’d personally much prefer to be called Esmee.

Mindlesspuzzles · 07/02/2024 20:22

Eliza is a great name.

Not keen on Esmee.
Quite like Edith, Esther, Endiva.

WetBandits · 07/02/2024 20:22

Eliza, without a doubt!

So many Esmes around. I don’t like the name at all!

BoohooWoohoo · 07/02/2024 20:22

I think a lot of people and forms would struggle with the accent on Esmée. I’ve seen it spelt other ways too which will also be annoying.

Eliza is a safer choice for that reason

MaidOfSteel · 07/02/2024 20:20

Eliza is beautiful. I think it works at all stages of life. Perfect!

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