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Baby names

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

Elizabeth/Lisa?

107 replies

Cupofteaandagoodbookthensleep · 05/02/2026 16:03

I love Elizabeth as a baby girl name but it’s a common middle name in my family. I was thinking about choosing a derivative name like Lizzie or Eliza as a name for my child to be known as and using Elizabeth as the full name on the birth certificate. It would be Elizabeth Anna.
But then someone suggested Lisa. I know it’s dated but it’s really growing on me and I really like the sound of it. I’d still keep Elizabeth as a full name but have her known as Lisa. What do you think?

OP posts:
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WimbleOfWombledon · 03/09/2026 00:59

How about Annaliese? was my potential dd name but I had all boys instead 🤦🏻‍♀️

multipackofshirts · 03/09/2026 00:58

imsoverytired82 · 03/09/2026 00:51

I’m a Lisa and I’m a senior civil servant with a middle class life and two kids in private school. The other Lisa’s I went to school with - one is a history teacher and the other a school receptionist. So rude.

I’m sure you would hate my name as well! But it is honestly what I think when I hear Lisa. Bottom set maths 1993, sat next to Vikki and Leanne.

It’s hard not to have associations with some names and Lisa is like the female equivalent of Lee, Dean, Gaz et al.

imsoverytired82 · 03/09/2026 00:51

multipackofshirts · 27/08/2026 06:13

Lisa has hair scraped back in a ponytail with two strands pulled out and held with spit. She hangs out with Donna and Leanne and has a boyfriend called Lee.

I’m a Lisa and I’m a senior civil servant with a middle class life and two kids in private school. The other Lisa’s I went to school with - one is a history teacher and the other a school receptionist. So rude.

multipackofshirts · 03/09/2026 00:46

Cupofteaandagoodbookthensleep · 02/09/2026 22:36

I think this says more about you than it does about any Lisas.

You know the raison d*etre of the board? People throw out names and others say ‘this is my view on it?’ In my case, what it says about me is I was born circa 1978, which is when Lisa was popular and honestly, it wasn’t a particularly positive vibe kind of name. Obviously if you like it, use it, but it is sort of adidas tracksuit, massive gold hoops and wrigleys chewing gum.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 02/09/2026 22:45

What about Annalisa, Lisanna or Lisette

Cupofteaandagoodbookthensleep · 02/09/2026 22:36

multipackofshirts · 27/08/2026 06:13

Lisa has hair scraped back in a ponytail with two strands pulled out and held with spit. She hangs out with Donna and Leanne and has a boyfriend called Lee.

I think this says more about you than it does about any Lisas.

OP posts:
multipackofshirts · 27/08/2026 06:13

Lisa has hair scraped back in a ponytail with two strands pulled out and held with spit. She hangs out with Donna and Leanne and has a boyfriend called Lee.

SkyLark79 · 27/08/2026 06:03

Lisa is dated and there are many other nicer names. The derivatives of Elizabeth are a better choice than Lisa …

SkyLark79 · 27/08/2026 06:01

How about Beth?

missipop · 27/08/2026 05:39

delightedforsure · 05/02/2026 17:44

Lisa is awful. Never known a nice Lisa either!

Eliza is lovely!

Sorry but I’m afraid I agree with this! I find Lisa dated and a little ordinary.

Elizabeth is a beautiful name though and I just adore Eliza.

In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet was fondly called Lizzie and Eliza.

NamingNoNames · 09/04/2026 09:21

I like it but it was a mean girl name in my age group.

peppermintpig74 · 08/04/2026 19:11

My Elizabeth is shortened to Izzy

Comtesse · 24/02/2026 10:38

Lisa is a bit naff.

Anotherdayanothernight · 24/02/2026 10:22

I’m a Lisa too and was born in the 1970’s, didn’t like my name much when I was younger but where I grew up it wasn’t common and I’ve grown to like it. I don’t know any other Lisa…

Shmoigel · 24/02/2026 10:12

I am a Lisa and I love my name. I hate it when people call me Liza though!
Its defo due a revival. I was a late Lisa as it was more popular in the 60s so there were not many my age.

Lavenderandbrown · 11/02/2026 23:06

I meant to say “soared” not soured in the previous post and soured conveyed the exact opposite of my intended post. Popularity soared after Lisa Marie Presley

Lavenderandbrown · 10/02/2026 22:21

I’m so excited to hear you are considering/have decided on Lisa. I’m a Lisa. I was born before Lisa Marie Presley so my DM was also ahead of the curve. She was a clever woman. Altho Lisa seemingly soured in popularity I was the only one in my High school and even as an adult I don’t meet that many. I have a niece named Lisa who is 32. I have never met a mean or unpleasant Lisa. It’s pretty it’s easy to pronounce and it’s never seemed to me to be overly used/ trendy/ dated despite the Elvis connection. There is an instagram account that talks about “no Lisa’s under 40” so I’m sure it’s due to a renaissance. I like soft names and have named both my children soft names.

Lisa Kate
Lisa Catherine
Lisa Ottille
Lisa Patrice
Lisa Christine
Lisa Lee
Lisa Leigh
Lisa Marie
Lisa Maria

i think it goes equally well with a single syllable or double syllable middle name.

and it absolutely is a derivative of Elizabeth

TheGrimSmile · 10/02/2026 19:52

Cupofteaandagoodbookthensleep · 05/02/2026 17:36

I really like that spelling. But then worry she would have to spell it out to everyone. I’m leaning more towards just Lisa.

No, she could just say: Elisabeth with an S; that's how it's spelt on the continent. I think of you spell it Elizabeth then it should be shortened to Liza ( Leeza or Liezah) instead. The trouble is that loads will shorten it to Liz which isnt as nice (makes me think of bloody Liz Truss now!)

LilyLemonade · 10/02/2026 19:37

Great choice - and thanks for the update! Nice to know how these naming dilemmas turn out in the end.

Calliopespa · 10/02/2026 18:46

Cupofteaandagoodbookthensleep · 10/02/2026 18:27

I have decided on Lisa. I like the retro 70s/80s feel and its feminine simplicity. I also love the meaning. I will give her middle names that she can use if she decides she doesn’t like it. I’ve appreciated the feedback from everyone. Thank you.

I think it's a lovely choice op - and it feels fresh again. You are right it is both feminine and simple.

It did have some time being used as a name in its own right in the 80's, but it is also definitely a diminutive form of Elisabeth. I know an Elizabeth and an Elisabeth who use it - and a third who uses Liesel as a short form, which is also sweet.

I prefer them all to the Z forms like Liz and Liza which sound harsher.

I think you will be ahead of the curve with a renaissance.

Cupofteaandagoodbookthensleep · 10/02/2026 18:27

I have decided on Lisa. I like the retro 70s/80s feel and its feminine simplicity. I also love the meaning. I will give her middle names that she can use if she decides she doesn’t like it. I’ve appreciated the feedback from everyone. Thank you.

OP posts:
Cupofteaandagoodbookthensleep · 10/02/2026 18:25

Charlotte120221 · 10/02/2026 12:26

Lisa is a name in its own right. Never a nickname for ELizabeth.

As a name, it's very 1970s?

It is literally derived from Elizabeth. It’s Hebrew and became a name in its own right later. Elishaba is also a known root.

OP posts:
Dingdongavon · 10/02/2026 12:35

I would go with Elisabeth and Elise.
I also like Libby and Beth as nns
Lisa is too 1980s comp (speaking from my own experience at one in the 80s)

MsSmartShoes · 10/02/2026 12:27

Beth

Charlotte120221 · 10/02/2026 12:26

Lisa is a name in its own right. Never a nickname for ELizabeth.

As a name, it's very 1970s?