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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask you what you think about comments about our baby's name?

118 replies

whichformat · 06/12/2012 21:58

We have chosen to name our baby daughter Ellen after several members of my family. I've mentioned the name to a few people who I'm not likely to see again as a way of testing reaction and had several of lukewarm comments - or no comment at all! They clearly didn't hate the name or ridicule it but just seemed to be very non-plussed. Another woman described it as 'run of the mill'.

We have had some positive comments but the fact that we may be giving our DD a 'run of the mill' name has started to bother me. I'm beginning to think it may not be special enough for our precious bundle. I know it's a name that doesn't have the immediate wow factor like Anastacia or something but I think it's pretty. AIBU to call my daughter Ellen?

OP posts:

IneedAgoldenNickname · 06/12/2012 22:30

I love it! Wasn't aware names needless wow factor in fact I'm glad my children have lovely normal classic names!

NannyEggn0gg · 06/12/2012 22:32

Why do you care?
It's a name you like and has meaning for you. You are never going to please everyone and nor should you have to.

If you want it, have it. And if you're that bothered by everyone elses' opinions then I suggest you have a list and take votes.

RozziRaspberry · 06/12/2012 22:32

Our neighbours have a toddler named Ellen and I personally think it is a lovely name.

festivelyfocussed · 06/12/2012 22:33

Tell ppl that you've decided to bow to public pressure and change her name to haribo tangfastic!

peppapigpants · 06/12/2012 22:34

Love it :)

AlwaysHoldingOnToStarbug · 06/12/2012 22:34

What are wow factor names anyway?

To me all my kids names are wow factor names because I love them! I doubt everyone else feels the same way.

LilRosiesMum · 06/12/2012 22:35

Yes its a great name and more importantly it has good meanings for you. I know lovely Ellens of all generations. And there is nothing odd about it... I always sigh inwardly when people give their children odd complicated difficult to spell names...

stifnstav · 06/12/2012 22:39

If someone responded to a name with "Wow", that would not be good IMO!

Seabird72 · 06/12/2012 22:41

It's a lovely name and one she won't be ashamed to have.

Shelfy · 06/12/2012 22:43

I had a friend who was called Helen and she liked being called Elly which was rather sweet.Awwww .I expect Ellin would be abreviated to Elly or El if you live in Essex

AnyFuckerForAMincePie · 06/12/2012 22:45

Ellen... "light" "torch" "bright"

lovely

I am a bit biased though

ToffeeCaramel · 06/12/2012 22:50

to ask you what you think about comments about our baby's name?

I would welcome any honest comments when pregnant and considering a name, as I would be interested to know how it would be perceived by others.

Once i had already named a baby, I would consider negative comments to be quite rude.

Devora · 06/12/2012 22:53

I like elegant and slightly understated - it's a good name.

Hobbitation · 06/12/2012 22:53

It's very nice. It was my dad's mum's name (who I never knew) and I had it down as a middle name, and was one of the reasons behind my thinking for Eleanor (which is DD2's name). At the moment DD2 says she wants to be known as Ellen, so there you go.

Furoshika · 06/12/2012 22:54

It's a lovely name.
I think before the name is attached to a real life baby, it probably is fair game, but opinions are opinions.
Once the baby's born and starts growing up, nobody cares really. (Novelty names excepted)

kilmuir · 06/12/2012 22:55

yabu and ridiculous
you like it, go for it.

AlbertoFrog · 06/12/2012 22:56

Had DS been a girl 2 years ago that was one of the names we had shortlisted. Still love it as much today as I did then.

Funnily enough the trendy names of 2 years ago (those with the wow factor I presume) sound pretty naff now.

Ellen is a beautiful name.

BikeRunSki · 06/12/2012 22:58

One of my best friends has just called her baby daughter Ellen. I think it is a lovely name. It is not unusual, spelt as it sounds and everybody has heard of it. I like those qualities in a name (I grew up with an unusual name and hated it. It's very common now!). I've seen DD's name (Amy) described as "Meh" on here - which I think means much the same thing. I don't care, because there is a reason behind her name, which is special and meaningful to us - and that is why Ellen is special to you.

Pandemoniaa · 07/12/2012 00:13

It's a lovely name. Both my aunt and great-grandmother were called Ellen and had I had a dd, I would have seriously considered using that name. It is hardly "run of the mill" either. But it is elegant and timeless.

heyannie · 07/12/2012 00:16

I love it! Tell anyone who is negative to piss off, it's a lovely name, not too common, pretty, strong, feminine...

Viviennemary · 07/12/2012 00:23

I think it's a very nice name.

Firawla · 07/12/2012 00:27

I like it too! just ignore people, it's a good name, you like it, once your dd is born they will get used to her with the name and find it suits her - there's always someone who doesn't like a name so you have to ignore and just go with your own choice. i agree best not tell before hand as people try to put u off or make annoying comments.

It's not very commonly chosen so that makes it more interesting, i dont actually think its so "run of the mill"

NagooHoHoHo · 07/12/2012 00:28

It's g

freddiefrog · 07/12/2012 00:30

It's a lovely name.

You've chosen it because it has meaning and is special to you. Doesn't need to have a wow factor

MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles · 07/12/2012 00:31

I'm very you have an Ellen, we wanted it for DD but its awful with our surname, so it's a middle name.

I LOVE it

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