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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ellen what are your thoughts?

60 replies

Unlisted · 31/05/2026 13:11

What do you think of the name Ellen?

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Crispynoodle · 31/05/2026 23:36

Lovely it’s my DDs middle name after her granny whose NN was Elsie

Swizzel000 · 31/05/2026 23:16

Classic. I love it.

Swizzel000 · 31/05/2026 23:15

Cute

ALotofThingsBeataJet2HolidayActually · 31/05/2026 23:14

What about Elaine?

bittertwisted · 31/05/2026 23:11

My scouse Nana’s name
it’s lovely

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 31/05/2026 18:31

I prefer Eleanor.

SkippitySkoppity · 31/05/2026 18:26

It's a bit dowdy

sesquipedalian · 31/05/2026 18:23

I think it’s a lovely name, OP.

Teresa90 · 31/05/2026 18:15

I had an auntie Nellie who was a lovely soul. As a child and growing up l would often see her surname on an envelope or whatever but with initial E. Confused me but presumed she must have a first name beginning with E and Nellie must be her second name, as all our family (Irish) seem be called by our middle names.
Later found out Nellie is a common nickname for Ellen.
She was lovely though, so if you don't mind her getting Nellie or Nell ,go for it.

yonem · 31/05/2026 17:34

It sounds like a Victorian maid to me I’m afraid. I do prefer it to Helen though which I’ve always found ugly. Eleanor is nice.

Gormless · 31/05/2026 17:29

My mum (born in 1939) was an Ellen. I always liked it but recall people kept getting confused and called her Eleanor.

Excellentsausages · 31/05/2026 17:10

Lovely name. Much prefer it to Helen.

mygrandchildrenrock · 31/05/2026 17:02

I think it’s a lovely name.

user293948849167 · 31/05/2026 17:01

Really pretty and classic

Topseyt123 · 31/05/2026 16:57

It's nice. Classic and timeless.

CurlewKate · 31/05/2026 16:56

Love it. Also Helen.

FrothyCothy · 31/05/2026 16:53

It’s lovely and classic and not too popular - I only know one (and she’s well under 50 😆)

EnidVance · 31/05/2026 16:48

I’ve always disliked it.

BoleynMemories13 · 31/05/2026 15:46

Personally I find it a bit dull. I imagine an Ellen to be quite straight laced. In fact, I struggle to picture it on anyone under 50 as it's quite dated now.

Lots of El names are currently in vogue (Ella, Eloise, Elodie, Eliza, Elora, Eliana etc) but Ellen feels like it belongs in the past, to me.

Each to their own though.

Madam2Swords · 31/05/2026 15:21

I prefer the simplicity of Helen. Helena has the multiple pronunciations and is long so will get shortened.

StellaOlivetti · 31/05/2026 15:21

I love it. Really wanted it for my daughter. The only reason I didn’t use it was because it sounded bonkers with our surname.

Calliopespa · 31/05/2026 15:11

Another one here who prefers Helen, and I then prefer Helena to Helen.

Madam2Swords · 31/05/2026 14:08

It's nice but I prefer Helen.There are dozens of thousands of Ellies and Ellas and other El- names.

thatsmynamethief · 31/05/2026 14:05

I'm an Ellen. I actually find it quite jarring when I hear someone call me it, not sure why.

LattePatty · 31/05/2026 14:01

Love it. Would have been the name I’d choose for a daughter. Also has a family connection for me.