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Original poster

Elsa - a reasonable name?!

70 replies

featherbag · 05/07/2011 22:41

My DH and I both love the name Elsa if our first DC (due November) is a girl. I'm 30, DH is 28. My parents both think 'everyone' will immediately think of the lion cub from Born Free when they hear the name Elsa. Neither my DH or I, or any of our friends, make that link as most of us have never seen Born Free!!! For my mum, the mental link to the film is so strong she thinks the name is unusable, but I love love love the name, it's the first one that just felt 'right' when my DH and I discussed it. What does everyone think?

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squeak2392 · 05/07/2011 22:57

Lol, perfectly fine.
I think I've seen Born Free (obviously didn't make much of an impression on me), but either way, it's a perfectly normal name - a lot stranger on a lion than a little girl if you ask me!

thisisyesterday · 05/07/2011 22:59

it's lovely.

i will admit to thinking momentarily of the lion, but I think for your daughter it won't be an issue at all! no-one she grows up with will have heard of it
and even if they have.. doesn';t matter! elsa was a nice lion lol

i like Elsie too

choirmum · 05/07/2011 23:00

Beautiful name and I don't think the film connection matters in the slightest!

LisMcA · 05/07/2011 23:06

I'm 29 (nearly 30) and I couldn't have named the lion in Born Free.

Elsa is lovely, if you love it use it. Who cares if an animal 30 odd years ago had the same name!

FWIW if we all went down your mums road, there would be no Wellards, Willies, Schmicheals, Goldies, Bonnies, Sheps well you get my drift! :o

BikeRunSki · 05/07/2011 23:06

It's a nice name, and even if people make the lion connection, so what? If they know you enough to matter, they will soon start to connect it with you, not a 40 year old film!

I am considering Ailsa for pink bump.

birdofthenorth · 05/07/2011 23:16

Also nearly 30 & no idea what Born Free is, & I watch a lot my fair share if telly!

Elsa is a gorgeous name. Use it. Forget the lion club. What matters is what your baby's generation associate with a name (in terms of avoiding teasing etc) not your mum's. None of her classmates will have heard of the lion- they are too young to know about Simba!

YummyHoney · 05/07/2011 23:19

I immediately thought 'lion' when I read your post - but if you love the name, go for it.

exoticfruits · 05/07/2011 23:24

I thought 'born free' straight away-but I am older than average on here.

If you like it go for it-much better than the truly dreadful Elsie.

Original poster
featherbag · 05/07/2011 23:25

The only 'link' it has for me is making me think of a gorgeous indian nurse I work with whose name is shortened to Elsa! I think the moment my mum mentioned Born Free is the first time the existence of the film has ever entered my conscious mind! Seems to be my parents' generation and upwards are the only people who link the name to a lion, my generation and downwards don't seem to make that link at all. Anyway, it's tough because if this bump turns out to be a little lady, she's called Elsa. End of.

OP posts:
TillyIpswitch · 06/07/2011 00:52

I'm 37 and I though of the lion, but, I really don't think you should let that stop you. It's a beautiful, elegant, classic name.

And anyway, once your little Elsa arrives, she will become the Elsa. :)

P.S. I know of a 3 or 4 YO called Elsa - it's in absolutely no way an unusable name.

TillyIpswitch · 06/07/2011 00:54

Oh, and agree with fruits - immeasurably better than Elsie!!

MarySueFTW · 06/07/2011 01:08

She will get people of a certain age singing 'Boooorn Freee... as free as the wiiiind blooows.'

But I think thats a price worth paying, its a nice name x

lizzieloubee1 · 06/07/2011 09:02

I think of the girl in a Jacqueline Wilson novel, but she was a nice, funny girl so it's fine.

I like Ailsa as well

jellybeans · 06/07/2011 09:12

I love it.

sittinghippo · 06/07/2011 09:49

Lovely name, and was one I had on my shortlist. And so what if people think of the lion, it was a lovely film and a lovely lion!
It's like the name Juliet, I think it is a very pretty name, but surely when someone says it everyone thinks of the most famous Juliet in the world? And she killed herself. Doesn't make it a bad name.

Hedwig3 · 06/07/2011 10:46

Elsa sometimes makes me think of the lion but i still like it, that shouldn't put you off Smile

SloganLogan · 06/07/2011 11:34

Yes, some people will think of the lion cub, and they'll all think they are being original when they make lion jokes! But if you can live with this then go for it :)

LittleDoe · 06/07/2011 13:22

I've got it on my list too. Go for it.

LittleDoe · 06/07/2011 13:23

Should have said "our" list....(but really it's mine....)

Halogen · 06/07/2011 13:56

It's a lovely name and I don't think being associated with a lioness is really that awful. They are beautiful, strong, graceful creatures.

lottytheladybird · 06/07/2011 14:10

We were going to call our baby Elsa if we had a girl (we ended up having a boy). I'm 30 and had never heard of the film. DH was a little concerned about the connection, but it didn't put us off. It's a beautiful name. I don't think there's anything wrong with Elsie - I think it sounds sweet.

notevenamousie · 06/07/2011 14:13

Huh?
I'm 30 this weekend, it's a lovely name, have a close friend with an Ella.

Original poster
featherbag · 06/07/2011 18:54

Thanks everyone, after all the debate though you can just bet DC will be a DS!!!

OP posts:
MrsOzz · 06/07/2011 19:35

My little lady will probably be an Elsa :-) fab choice

MarioandLuigi · 06/07/2011 19:48

Its a lovely name. I am 27 and I did think of the lion but only because I read the books as a child. I dont think many people my age would have.

Its not like your calling your baby Simba :o