Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Need help with a girl name!

38 replies

c1arla11 · 16/09/2026 08:16

Hi all,

My husband and I have been struggling with a name for our baby girl. We like classic names especially those that have a meaning behind them. We’ve shortlisted the folllowing - Emma, Grace, Charlotte, Esther and have likely decided to go with Esther. But we are concerned it may sound a little old!

What do you guys think of Esther! What comes to mind when you hear the name?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
FindingMeno · 22/09/2026 21:46

Esther is lovely.
As is Emma.

NamingNoNames · 22/09/2026 21:39

I've never really liked Eleanor. It's a classic but it's a bit Eleanor Rigby/Elinor Dashwood.
There's also the two ways of saying it and it will be Ellie.

timoteigirl · 22/09/2026 21:28

Did you consider Eleanor or Elinor at all?

NamingNoNames · 19/09/2026 23:23

Hester is too much like Fester

Comeonbabylightmyaga · 19/09/2026 13:37

Esther is lovely. The only one I know is 50 ish.

I also love Emma.

Calliopespa · 19/09/2026 13:36

I don't know if this helps, but it sounds to me like someone who only washes their hair once a week!

Calliopespa · 19/09/2026 13:35

I think I prefer the crisper sound of Hester.

Esther sounds to me as though the h on Hester has been dropped. I also think of chemistry (ester).

I went to school with one and she was very nice, but we all kind of "excused" the name on the basis that her parents were extremely old parents!

It has a definite dowdy feel to me, whereas Hester is a little more business-like.

Misty333 · 17/09/2026 18:46

Sadie is lovely Grace, Anne and Rebecca

NamingNoNames · 17/09/2026 13:40

Need help with a girl name! | Mumsnet

Mandarinaduck · 16/09/2026 22:51

Esther is a lovely name and doesn't have any particular 'old' or 'old-fashioned' vibe to me - it seems a classic that could work at any age.

Giraffehaver · 16/09/2026 22:35

The most vibrant woman I've ever known was called Esther. It's a marvellous name

beeble347 · 16/09/2026 20:45

Esther is lovely, Estee or Esti a cute nickname. I've known a couple of young girls (teenagers) with the name, definitely think it's underused but not too out there. Though I've met a teenage Doris

LittleGreenDuck · 16/09/2026 20:45

I like it. I know one in her 20s and another aged around 13. Both lovely girls, for what it’s worth!

GrillaMilla · 16/09/2026 20:44

Esther is a beautiful name

Notellinganyone · 16/09/2026 20:41

It’s a fantastic name. I’ve got a Hester but also love Esther. Strong, classic but not overused.

MrsLFii · 16/09/2026 20:39

Esther is beautiful, I love it. An underused classic imo. It was on my shortlist for our little girl and was only just pipped to the post!

MabelAnderson · 16/09/2026 20:37

I love Esther, makes me think of the character in Bleak House, she is so lovely.
I also like Hester and it’s a family name, but I couldn’t use either because of our surname.

Whoops75 · 16/09/2026 20:33

Don’t like Esther, it’s very plain imo.

My favourite is Emma, not overused imo.

Firebird83 · 16/09/2026 20:31

Love it! It’s one of my favourite names.

5289843DM · 16/09/2026 19:18

Sorry, I don't like Esther as it sounds like fester and reminds me of making esters in chemistry. I personally don't think its pretty or nice at all.
Emma, Grace, Charlotte are so much nicer IMO.
Some other ideas: Coral, Coralie, Evie, Edie/Edith, Loretta, Lauren

EatSleepHooverRepeat · 16/09/2026 19:11

I love it. Also love Charlotte.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 16/09/2026 19:09

I like Esther (and Hester!)- and as an ex-teacher, it was one of those "names you know, but there aren't millions of them to mix up with ones with similar names".

Grace is also an excellent name.

TruffleSlinky · 16/09/2026 18:25

I love Esther and it's my favourite from your list.

NamingNoNames · 16/09/2026 18:25

It's lovely @c1arla11 . Not too popular, not too unusual.
I think it sounds gentle and graceful.

EdgyBiscuit · 16/09/2026 14:34

I think Esther is soft and pretty, and would have it on my list if I didn’t already know an adult Esther.

Swipe left for the next trending thread