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 can’t believe how common Ottilie is... ive never heard it before in my life!

It does kind of remind me of Attila (the Hun)

Briony is the best out of these two.

Ottilie sounds like she's from the film The Borrowers

Although I dislike both names myself

Your heart is with Ottilie so go with it. Everybody else will get used to it family-wise and they can shorten it. It's a nice name, not restricted to poshos and far less boring than Bryony. How do they both sound with your surname?

Bryony sounds like it’s from the 90s. Sorry! Ottilie is lovely - but I always thought it was pronounced ‘ot-til-ly’ But according to this thread it’s not? So I’m glad I never called my daughters it and got it wrong

ElderlyLady, Ottilie in Elective Affinities was one of my heroines when I was younger...!

Sorry OP, don't like either!

Both are lovely. I really love Bryony, always have since hearing it in Atonement, and am also confused abut why it's not more popular. Perhaps because it reminds people of Bryan? Otillie also pretty and does seem to be gaining in popularity.

Haha just read the thread and funny someone considers Atonement low brow. What do you class highbrow?

I like Ottilie. I think Bryony sounds harsh and dated. Makes me think of briars, brambles and thorns!

My two favourite girls’ names were Bryony and Tamsin. I know one adult Bryony who is lovely. I have never come across Ottilie before but it is very pretty.

@noitsachicken Don't take it to heart, everyone on here hates the name I gave DD1, DH's name gets absolutely slated and my name committed the ultimate sin of being two names with a hyphen! If you love it that's all that matters.

Bryony makes me think of tuna.

Ottilie is awful. Bryony only slightly better.

I think Ottilie is really pretty and I love the nn Tillie/Tilly.
I work in a primary school and haven't come across one yet, so that's always a bonus in my book!
I'm not keen on Bryony. Sounds too similar to Brian.
Congratulations on your precious baby girl!

Not keen on either tbh, one is a bit complicated, and the other just makes me think of someone saying 'Brian ee'.

I know of an Ottilie whose sister is Ava and brothers are Mycroft and Atticus. She is usually called Otts. Nice family generally so I like the name.

Briony is too Australian for me. I'm sure there were several in the Aussie soaps I used to watch (Neighbours, H&A, Young Doctors, Shortland St, Sons+Daughters, Sullivans, etc etc)?

@AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight i agree my comment is harsh, but true. friends wanted to call her daughter Fanny (a traditional name in germany), and they were quite likely to relocate to the uk at some point. i managed to talk them out if it, its a similar situation. Nobody is saying you shouldn't use the name, but you should be aware of the consequences.

Bryony

Otillie is nmsaa, like Otter but super frilly and lacy.

My sister is Bryony. Everyone loves her name, no one has ever called her Brian, how odd

People can be so nasty about names on here. Shocking.

I love Briony/Bryony but DH vetoed because it sounded like Brian-y.

We called her Cecily instead, not sure why that was ok as it has the same issue

Never liked Ottilie personally, dislike the Ott sound and it's just a bit too frilly.

I don't like either.

What about Odette instead?

Congrats, btw!

I really like Bryony but can't understand people not getting how it does indeed sound like Brian!! [Confused]

Or Tilly.

You can't go wrong with a biblical name - what about 'Ruth'? (not biased at all)

Sorry, but I think both are absolutely ghastly. There are so many pretty girls names out there, those 2 are horrid, imo.