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

Elise - is it "chavvy"?

47 replies

KatieWatie · 23/03/2011 17:41

I've wanted to call any future daughter Elise since I was an early teenager.

About 10 years back there was an influx of people calling their girls Elise thanks to Lotus cars, and it became a 'chav' thing.

I just wondered if it is still considered chavvy? I still love the name and though I don't know what flavour my baby is yet, if it's a girl I'd like Elise to still be on the table for consideration.

What is the general opinion of the name Elise? Thanks :)

OP posts:
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meditrina · 23/03/2011 17:47

I like it - first association was "für Elise".

mrsdaz · 23/03/2011 17:47

i dont know any Elise's but personally wouldnt associate it as chavvy

BulletWithAName · 23/03/2011 17:49

If you like it, sod whether anyone thinks it's 'chavvy' or not!

DilysPrice · 23/03/2011 17:53

No, not chavvy, and my chav-o-meter is normally pretty sensitive.

Bucharest · 23/03/2011 17:57

Mais non!
Absolutely non-chavvy.
Lovely!

Bucharest · 23/03/2011 17:58

(Unless you decide to spell it E-Leez of course)

usualsuspect · 23/03/2011 18:01

Who gives a fuck if its chavvy

KatieWatie · 23/03/2011 18:03

Thanks all for the input and opinions - I'm really surprised I expected many calls of "CHAVVY!". I was actually inspired by goth supremo Robert Smith and his band's song "Letter to Elise" :D

Bucharest are you in France? We have a home there and hope to move out there permanently in a few years, so I am trying to find a name that fits well in France but is not too off-the-wall in England either. Happily, Elise has the bonus of fitting those requirements too.

OP posts:
kat2504 · 23/03/2011 18:09

I don't think it's chavvy in the slightest, although not that it should matter. It's a traditional French name and works well for a grown up woman as well as a girl. If you spend a lot of time in France it is perfect as the locals will have no problems with the pronunciation.
Out of interest, what have you got in mind if it isn't pink flavour?

G1nger · 23/03/2011 18:10

I think it's a lovely name. I grew up with an Elise, and could be really tempted myself.

ChunkyPickle · 23/03/2011 18:12

Another vote for it - it's a beautiful name.

KatieWatie · 23/03/2011 18:13

kat Thanks - I haven't got that far yet. I do have a list from my friend brought up in France of names to avoid, because they become 'female' in France (e.g. Michael would get pronounced "Michelle" lol) but so far I have nothing!

OP posts:
kat2504 · 23/03/2011 18:27

A French friend of mine who lives in England used Sam because that works in both languages and is easy for French people to pronounce. But there are lots of options available. Why not look up "french" names on one of the baby name sites or see what is in the top 100 in France which also works in English?

G1nger · 23/03/2011 18:30

Why do we care if it works in French pronunciation, again? I must have missed that... ;)

kat2504 · 23/03/2011 18:32

The OP hopes to move to France so presumably the child would attend a school there and be with French children. Nothing wrong with choosing a name which is harder to pronounce, I'm sure they would get used to it! But it might make life easier.

G1nger · 23/03/2011 18:33

Oh, thanks kat2504. I totally missed that point.

weimy · 23/03/2011 18:44

no it's lovely!

CDMforever · 23/03/2011 18:55

Gorgeous, not chavvy in the slightest.

MrsvWoolf · 23/03/2011 19:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Makingaminime · 23/03/2011 19:24

Oh thank goodness for the positive reactions as this is the name I have wanted for my daughter since I was a little girl (OP are we the same person? Smile ) I have to say I never thought it was in the slightest bit "chavvy" but I'm not terribly interested in that kind of label. It's beautiful and I love it.

Do love Leisl as well MrsvWoolf such a pretty sound

usualsuspect · 23/03/2011 19:37

downmarket wtf does that mean

weimy · 23/03/2011 19:50

lol usualsuspect I wondered that! Suspect virginia may mean working class!!!!

I like it.

whoamamma · 23/03/2011 19:51

It's lovely and on my list for any future dds.

ValiumSingleton · 23/03/2011 20:28

no.

colditz · 23/03/2011 20:28

No, it's pretty.