Florence, Elspeth or Rowan?

[thetigerwhocametoteax]

Just starting to think about names for DC2 due in summer. DH and I had always wanted Rowan for a girl but I close friend of ours recently called their little boy Rowan and I am starting the think of it now as a boys name. I really love Florence but find the lack of nice nicknames and increasing popularity a bit off putting. DH likes Elspeth (nn Elsie) and I do like it but worry about a lifetime of going "no Elspeth ... NOT Elizabeth"

So what do you think? DS is called Arthur. Any other suggestions we might like?

Love Elsie and Elspeth.

Rowan's beautiful for a girl-a distant relative called her dd Rowan a few years ago and that was the first time I'd heard it-loved it from then.

I'd not worry about a friend using it for a boy, there seem to be so many names now which can be unisex.
For reasons of women I've known, Florence and Elspeth wouldn't be my 1st choice

Two of these are down on our list if it's a girl! I like them all. Florence isn't a name that will go in/out of fashion, it's been around for ages, so I wouldn't worry about it being popular or faddy just now. Short versions could be Flo or Floss? V sweet I think.

I love Elspeth, I would never mix it up with Elizabeth.

Florence is lovely, Elspeth quite nice too.

Rowan too unisex and reminds me of Rowan Williams and Rowan Atkinson.

All nice choices. Absolutely adore Rowan - this would be my currently top choice for a girl. Yes, it's unisex, but not overly masculine, and I have met both male and female Rowans. Florence lovely as a mn, but its currently popularity would put me off a bit.

Rowan would be my choice too. Love this name, and I think it's fantastic for either a boy or a girl. It's a beautiful name for a girl, without being frilly or overly girly.

Not keen on Elspeth, sounds a bit 'lispy' to me. Don't think it would be confused with Elizabeth though, I wouldn't worry about that.

Florence seems very stodgy and old-fashioned/middle-aged to me, maybe that's just me though as apparently it's becoming popular!

I think Rowan's much nicer for a girl than for a boy - really lovely.
DH is trying to get Florence onto our list...I'm not enough of a fan to use it myself, but it is pretty.

My DD is Flora Elisabeth Zoe.

I find Florence and Elspeth a bit 19th C maiden aunt!

I like Florence a lot.
Don't like Elspeth at all.
Rowan is quite pretty I think.

I know a little Arthur and his baby sister is Elizabeth.

My grannys name is elspeth and she doesn't get Elizabeth, think I prefer Elsie on its own but all nice.

Love Elspeth!

I love Elspeth. Wish I'd thought of it!

Florence.

Elspeth is pretty but a bit lispy and I don't like Elsie.

I love Rowan for a boy but hate it for a girl.

Elise
Esme
Hester
Harriet

Elspeth for me...lovely lovely name!

Mmmm... pretty even spread. Maybe a few more votes Elspeth or Rowan then Florence? Middle name will probably be Victoria (family name) and maybe another one too as DS has two middle names.
Remus - like all your suggestions, especially Elise but our friends had one last week!
Keep 'em coming!

I'm in a one-woman mission to dissuade people from using the name Florence - I just do not get it at all and cannot see why people think it's a nice name! It will definitely date due to it's current surge in popularity.

I don't love Elspeth, but think Rowan is a gorgeous name for a girl. I admit though, that I would be put off it if a close friend called her DS it.

I like Elspeth. How about Edith? Ingrid?

Elspeth is so pretty, and I wanted it on my list, DH wouldnt agree. Elsie is a lovely short version.
I like Tessa I think it had the same sort of 'feel' to it.

Love Elspeth, my niece is called Elspeth Her mum gets annoyed at people who pronounce it Elzbeth.

I used to live next door to a lovely little girl called Rowena if that helps?

Love Rowan for a girl its between Rowan or Rosa for my bump

Anything but Florence, my little one is going to be called Florence so I am trying to dissuade everyone else from using it :)

Elspeth....its gorgeous

Florence is lovely, definitely my favourite of these. Agree Rowan is too masculine.

For names kind of similar in feel to some of your ideas what about...

Tamsin
Thea
Flora
Fiona
Faye
Freya
Isla
Elise
Jemima
Lillian
Imogen
Carmen
Helena
Lila
Rhiannon
Harriet
Elodie
Eleanor
Alba
Ava
Beatrice
Lucy

I like Elspeth.

Flora is nice too :)

Rowan is getting given to more boys ATM, but I used to think of it as a girl's name.

For some reason I want to throw Bryony in the pot. I don't know what the connection is