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Baby names

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Original poster

Is this name too rare to be used?

120 replies

SilkyChocolate · 28/07/2026 20:01

I'm due in November with a girl, and I've really been liking the name Estée (pronounced ess-tay) after finding out that I had an ancestor called this. It's very simple and pretty to me. I think my DH is starting to come round to it too. Just wondering if I've gone mad.

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Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 02/08/2026 07:35

I wax thinking if sounded nice. Everyone will know how to pronounce it but yes, you immediately think of Estée Lauder. Will it become naff like naming your child Diesel or Channel have? Yes probably.

SunnyMoose · 31/07/2026 20:17

Cute, what do you think about Esme or Stevie

SeriouslyAreYouSure · 31/07/2026 20:15

Personally, I wouldn't because the connection with Lauder is too strong for me.

I agree with what a lot of other people have said that in a lot of British regional accents it won't sound very nice (and I think that's applicable in Leeds?!)

If you do use it. You need to use the accent or it will definitely not be pronounced the way you want to be.

I do as many other others have suggested and use Estelle or similar, on her birth certificate & registration in places, & keep Estée as a nickname.

highper · 31/07/2026 20:12

I love it. Please, if you’re going to use it, spell it with the accent. Without it would be pronounced differently. I’ve lived 40+ years with a name with an accent and it has never bothered me in the slightest.
I also love the name Lenor (though it’s too fabric softener ish haha), Thuli, Dulcie, Élodie, Mirabelle, Seren… just in case we have similar taste in names Grin

ExplodingSmittens · 31/07/2026 19:49

I like it but I think you would be sentencing her to a lifetime of “you mean like Estée Lauder?”

Original poster
SilkyChocolate · 31/07/2026 07:54

MrsM2025 · 30/07/2026 14:51

This was on my shortlist for DD!
We went with Esme instead!

Great choice! Esme is a beautiful name.

OP posts:
SpidersAreShitheads · 31/07/2026 04:37

Sorry OP, I would instantly think of Lauder every single time because it’s a brand that was constantly around in the 80s.

Mind you, I am particularly susceptible to this; every time someone starts a sentence with “I feel like…” I just want to say “…chicken tonight!”

Advertising slogans and brands obviously stick in my head! Others might not have the same strong association with the perfume/makeup brand.

Rainbowclimber · 30/07/2026 15:28

What about Estelle instead

Pistachiocake · 30/07/2026 15:16

cannynotsay · 28/07/2026 20:02

just makes me think of the make up brand

Same.

Scaryspicer · 30/07/2026 14:55

I know a baby Estee (cant figure out how to put the accent on my phone)
I think it’s lovely!

MrsM2025 · 30/07/2026 14:51

This was on my shortlist for DD!
We went with Esme instead!

lljkk · 30/07/2026 12:16

sashh · 29/07/2026 04:15

Which is also the name of the founder.

Actually the founder's real name was Josephine Esther. OP

What about Esther but using Estée as a diminutive?

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That is my gut feeling, too.

Cathystiredghost · 29/07/2026 23:29

I have 26 year old colleague named this

inappropriateraspberry · 29/07/2026 19:11

I like it, but I’d expect to be correcting people who hear Esther a lot.

charlie1td · 29/07/2026 19:10

I think everyone you tell will hear S.T ….and wonder what those initials stand for?

Angelil · 29/07/2026 10:52

SilkyChocolate · 29/07/2026 08:23

No, we would probably write it as Estee (without the accent) on a daily basis. I’ve just added it to my post because I thought people might ask why I hadn’t included the traditional accent if I want that pronunciation.

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There’s no reason not to use the accent though? French kids manage it in their own name so it’s patronising to assume that kids are incapable of using it. My (French) son has an accent in his name and has been using/writing it correctly since he was 5.
The only place where you don’t use it is on the child’s passport, since HMPO don’t accept/print accents.

Angelil · 29/07/2026 10:49

I taught a lovely girl called Estée once. Just pronounce it properly (Est-ay, not Est-ee) and you’re good to go! I’d use it. It’s a beautiful name.

summerloving1237 · 29/07/2026 10:38

I know an Estee, it’s a beautiful name!

Runsaway · 29/07/2026 10:28

I think it’s fine. I like it. I didn’t immediately think of the brand. I would use the accent, though, or people will say it wrongly.

YouBelongWithMe · 29/07/2026 10:21

My DD (16) has a friend who is called Este. Her birth name is Celeste but she has dropped the 'Cel' and claimed Este as her name. It's cool!

Shortbreadel · 29/07/2026 10:20

I like it!

NotOnYourEllie · 29/07/2026 09:59

SilkyChocolate · 29/07/2026 09:54

Leeds!

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Would it become Es-teh in the Leeds accent maybe? You need to ask yourself if you like it said that way.

I had to do this with my dcs. I loved the name James but didn't like Jaaaayyyyyymes which is how it sounds where I live. I also loved Cormac (I am Irish) but didn't like Caw-mack.

Original poster
SilkyChocolate · 29/07/2026 09:54

ImogenBrocklehurst · 29/07/2026 07:00

Where do you live, OP? Hearing it in your local accent might change your mind. But I do think it’s a pretty name.

Leeds!

OP posts:
NewDogOwner · 29/07/2026 09:37

They will just be called Estée Lauder in the playground. The link is too strong. Try Esther and you can make Estee the nickname.

NotOnYourEllie · 29/07/2026 09:11

You should definitely include the accent if you are going to use it! Estee is S-tea like the letter S and tea the drink.

There are many beautiful French names which don't work in eg, a London accent. I personally wonder if Estée is one of them.

We considered a few French names for our dcs, but ultimately ruled them out after realising how they would sound in the London accent. Definitely worth considering!

Anaïs was one we loved but I couldn't deal with people pronouncing it Ann-ay.

All that said, if it's the name you love blah blah. It is far from the worst name I've ever heard on here or irl.