Bryony vs Ottilie

[rubyred84]

Posting here for traffic, have name changed...we are totally stuck between these two names (baby is already here) and im almost too close to both of the names now and can't think properly.

So, my question is - is Bryony a lovely feminine, strong, underused name, or, is the reason it's underused because it's just not that nice, and more along the lines of Brenda/Angela/Sheila etc (it's 981 or something on the list for 2016 which really surprised me...what's wrong with it is what I'm asking...why is it sooooo far down the list)

And.... Is Ottilie really pretentious? I think it's absolutely beautiful, girly but strong, unusual but not unheard of, but is it only to be used by private school girls?

Please be gentle....like I say, I can no longer see the wood from the trees (possibly due to hormones) and have a 1 week old gorgeous little baby girl with no name 😢

I think Ottilie is lovely.
Bryony not so keen.

Personally I like Bryony. I've never heard of Ottilie so it sounds a bit strange to me.

And.... Is Ottilie really pretentious? I think it's absolutely beautiful, girly but strong, unusual but not unheard of, but is it only to be used by private school girls?

No - private school girls with at least a baronetcy in the close family line!

If you call her Ottilie she will have to repeat it twice and then spell it out forever.

I saw your other thread, I say go for Ottilie as you clearly love it! Though I also think Bryony is a classic, underused and strong name.

I’m a teacher in a pretty bog standard comp in a normal city and have seen all sorts of weird and wonderful names. Ottilie wouldn’t sound out of place or posh in my school at all. Plus she can always shorten it to Tilly if she wants to.

Congratulations on your little girl!
I really love Bryony, it was on my list of names for a girl - but vetoed by my husband (we vetoed names on each others lists we really couldn't stand) so not everyone's choice.
Ottilie does sound a bit posh to me - but it is pretty and unusual.
Good luck with the choice, you have time so don't let it stress you, the first weeks are hard enough as it is!

I think Bryony is harsh on the ear, and Ottilie is pretentious. Sorry for a bit of a mean opinion. Of the two, I think that at least Ottilie has a pretty sound to it!

Bryony is a nice name but just not very common nowadays. More 1980-90s. I haven't heard of a baby Bryony in a long time. That's not a bad thing though.

I love Ottilie. It's pretty and timeless. Bryony sounds a bit staid to me.

I think they're both awful.

Bryony looks like you've misspelled it or given a name an awful 'modern' spelling (too many Y's) and Ottilie sounds like you're saying 'utterly' with a bad Irish accent.

Sorry.

Not keen on Ottilie.. it seems quite a harsh name. I’ve never heard it before though.. is it pronounced as spelt?

Quite like Bryony... but would you end up calling her Brian?

I prefer Briony as a spelling but i think its a stronger name than ottilie, which i do think is very pretentious and makes me think of otters. So id say bryony.

I’d go for Bryony over Ottilie - Ottilie sounds too much like “oh-Tilly” (and people will enevitably shorten it to Tilly)
I have a friend who is a Briony (same name but different spelling to your Bryony)

Ottilie is beautiful.i hate bryony. It make m think of a 60 year old man called Brian.

Yes it's pretentious. I love Byron

I really dislike Bryony, sorry. It sounds old-fashioned and fusty to me.

I like Ottilie. I know a few so I don't agree with PP that she will forever be asked to spell it etc.

Byrony

Ottilie is lovely.

I don't think there is anything "wrong" with Bryony, but for me it is a bit "meh."

Ottillie is lovely

Bryony sounds like Brian. Go with your heart OP. I also saw your other thread. Call your daughter what you want to, don't let other people influence you, especially family as they will soon get used to the spelling etc.

I have the most complicated surname ever and I always have to spell it. It's no big deal though, and I always get nice comments.

I loved Briony as a kid. Was one of the Disney princesses names that?

I like both names. They are similar enough that you can't really go wrong.

Congratulations on your little girl

Definitely Bryony

I commented on your other thread, I have a toddler Bryony, we love it, love the nature type meaning, feminine without being too frilly, works on baby and adult.
No one calls her Brian (why would they??) no one has a problem saying or spelling it.
I also like Ottilie though, but DH vetoed!

They are both names which look like they are spelt wrong even though they aren’t. To be honest I don’t like either but probably prefer Ottilie, even though it makes me think Ottilie Butterly.

Bryony is gorgeous.

Ottillie is like a cross between Otter and Natalie gone hideously wrong.