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Baby names

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

Original poster

I love the name everyone else hates..

157 replies

duffy7 · 03/02/2026 08:43

I love love the name Esther. But I’ve been told it’s a grandma name and it sounds horrible. I have loved this name for years and it’s honestly so crushing to hear but I need honest opinions, is the name Esther bad?

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AgentPidge · 03/02/2026 13:55

It's a fine name. One of those biblical name I would say is a classic.

I really dislike Hester though. Maybe some sort of association with a child I didn't like, I think.

ZanzibarIsland · 03/02/2026 13:54

I like it

caramac04 · 03/02/2026 13:51

I love it and wanted this for my first born but DH didn’t. I prefer Esther to Hester because the local accent drops the aitch.
I like Esther Grace.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 03/02/2026 13:47

I like it!

ChickenwingsChickenwings · 03/02/2026 13:46

I mean, I don’t like it. It’s kind of lispy. But that’s just me.

Zov · 03/02/2026 13:44

Awww, I actually quite like that name. It is kind of an older person's name, but lots of names like this are making a comeback. I know little girls under 5 called Olive, Mabel, Nora, Nancy, Hilda, Audrey, and Violet.

Bit of a mistake telling people @duffy7 If you'd waited til the baby was born, and said 'meet baby Esther' people would have been very unlikely to say 'urgh, what a shit name!!!'' 😖

PrincessOfPreschool · 03/02/2026 13:38

I love the name Esther and see it as a classic rather than 'old lady chic'.

YourWinter · 03/02/2026 13:37

I love it.

Oblivionnnnn · 03/02/2026 13:37

It’s my daughters name 😊

whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 03/02/2026 13:35

I love it, but it was my dearly loved Nanna’s name - though she was always called by the diminutive ‘Tess’ - so it carries connotations of love and kindness for me. My daughter has it as her second name and it’s perfect.

If you love it, use it. To hell with everyone else! 😁

cherrymauve · 03/02/2026 13:29

Know an Esther Lola…beautiful name

spiderlight · 03/02/2026 13:28

I love it. It was actually my grandmother's name, but it doesn't feel old-lady-ish - it's classic and elegant.

SheSpeaks · 03/02/2026 13:26

timoteigirl · 03/02/2026 10:43

I think it's in the same category as Bertha so wouldn't return. There are many other Old Testament names to use. What about Salome?

Why would it have to “return”? It’s never gone anywhere! It’s not been outside the top 200 girls names in England and wales for over 30 years/since online records.

There were more baby Esther’s born in 2024 (343) than baby Anne (33), Mary (128), Louise (57), Helen (41), and Margaret (80) all added together!!

IceBrownie · 03/02/2026 13:13

I think it's classic and beautiful.

Anecdotally, every child I met with that name was utterly charming

RaraRachael · 03/02/2026 13:09

It was quite popular in the 60s but in 40 years I never taught an Esther.

Due for a revival.

heartsinvisiblefury · 03/02/2026 13:06

Oh and by the way it’s a beautiful name

heartsinvisiblefury · 03/02/2026 13:06

If you can find a name that every single person (and you) loves then that’s good going but you need to accept this will NEVER happen. Choose a name that YOU love and own it. Other people’s opinions on something you love are just that. Opinions.

CombatBarbie · 03/02/2026 13:00

My best mates name, she late 30s.

LilyLemonade · 03/02/2026 12:28

Esther is a beautiful name and I don't see it as old-fashioned at all.

Vixenlover · 03/02/2026 12:16

duffy7 · 03/02/2026 08:43

I love love the name Esther. But I’ve been told it’s a grandma name and it sounds horrible. I have loved this name for years and it’s honestly so crushing to hear but I need honest opinions, is the name Esther bad?

It’s a lovely name.

Thatcannotberight · 03/02/2026 12:10

If DS had been a DD it was on my very short list of names. He goes to school with an Elsie and a Pearl, so wouldn't have been out of place re "old lady names".

WonkyMirror · 03/02/2026 12:02

I know it’s quite popular in Scandinavian countries and I know one who is probably about 20 now. I like it.

timoteigirl · 03/02/2026 11:57

@Hushthenoise Judith personally chopped a head off yet it was a popular name for the same generation as Esther. I doubt vast majority know the origin of names and we here are different from most. At least with Esther everyone knows the spelling.

badjeans · 03/02/2026 11:53

I know so many Christian Esthers. All ages/generations. Though I don’t actually know any elderly ones. Nothing wrong with it at all!

MajorProcrastination · 03/02/2026 11:52

I like it enough to have had it on my longlist for girls names 18 years ago.

It's a Biblical name so timeless.

It's classy but characterful. Sounds solid and earthy to me. Not super common which is a win.

Someone mentioned she'd have to help people out with the spelling?! What?! That's the way the name is spelt!

There are loads of Granny names which have had a resurgence in recent years so ignore the haters.