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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ella or Lila ?

35 replies

Onefineday01 · 20/10/2024 13:29

DD due in Jan and really struggled with names, I think we’re down to Lila or Ella.
I know both are quite popular but I’ve not actually met any recently so it’s not really putting me off.
Also not sure on a middle name, husband really likes Grace but I want to avoid anything like that as I’m guessing there’s plenty of Lila/Ella Grace’s out there already. Any ideas?

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BootballJoy · 20/10/2024 14:29

QuizzicalJoan · 20/10/2024 13:50

Ella is a beautiful name but sadly ubiquitous. How about giving her a longer name, with nickname Ella? Then she has choice as an adult to use either - eg if she finds she’s one of many Ella-derivatives in her workplace and wants to stand out?
eg
Isabella
Annabella
Daniella
Gabriella
Gisella
Ariella
Antonella
Estella
Della
Elsie (wildcard option - due a comeback?)

The comeback is already well on the way for Elsie - it's more popular than Ella!

Moreteaandchocolate · 20/10/2024 14:22

I love both. Ella feels more classic / timeless, and Lila feels a bit more modern / in line with current trends. I think I’d pick Ella as it fits my other kids names better, but both are lovely.

TizerorFizz · 20/10/2024 13:52

Leila is better than Lila. Lila sounds like it’s short for Lilian. Is it Ly-la or pronounced Li-la with a short “i”. People will get it wrong.

StressedQueen · 20/10/2024 13:51

I prefer Lila but you might get different pronunciations - Leela or Lyla?

I kind of prefer the name Lyla anyway. Ella is sweet too so I don't think you can go wrong.

QuizzicalJoan · 20/10/2024 13:50

Ella is a beautiful name but sadly ubiquitous. How about giving her a longer name, with nickname Ella? Then she has choice as an adult to use either - eg if she finds she’s one of many Ella-derivatives in her workplace and wants to stand out?
eg
Isabella
Annabella
Daniella
Gabriella
Gisella
Ariella
Antonella
Estella
Della
Elsie (wildcard option - due a comeback?)

NeckolasCage · 20/10/2024 13:45

Both pretty popular (not so much Lila, but it’s so close to other hugely popular names), for goodness sake don’t have Grace as a middle name too, you may as well call her Citizen12856947363!

If I had to choose it would be Lila because there are just so many Ellies it’s ridiculous.

Theoldwoman · 20/10/2024 13:43

Her best friend is Ella Joy.

I love Ella Kate
Ella Juliet
Ella Bridget
Ella Celeste
Ella Isobel
Ella Genevieve
Ella Lucille

Theoldwoman · 20/10/2024 13:41

I have an Ella, she’s almost 22 and I still love her names as much as the day we named her.

I so would have chosen Ella Grace but surname is too similar to Grace, so wouldn’t work.

JimNast · 20/10/2024 13:38

Ella. Ella Grace is fine but every other Ella will be Ella May or Ella Grace.
I don't like Lila and it is too close to Lily, Isla, Lola, Lyra etc. Lily and Isla are quite nice.

There are so many Ellas and Ellies, and El- and -ella names that is does seem a bit overused, and I think the trend will fall out of favour soon.
Babies called Ella in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com)

GretchenWienersHair · 20/10/2024 13:30

Lila