Baby names - one week to go - help needed!!

[DoodleAlley]

Right we have one week to go and can't seem to find a girls name.

DS was easy to name, we both liked a name, gave it a roadtest pre birth and were happy.

This time we are dithering.

At present the top two are.. (drum roll please!).... Natalie or Ella.

We have liked Esme but opinions seem split on pronounciation and I always end up spelling the surname at work and dont want to add to this child's woes!

This obviously comes with the disclaimer that I know it's a personal choice and you can't please everyone.

I'd love to hear any opinions, including how popular these names are around you and personal preferences are welcome!

Bumping for the post bedtime crowd.

Thanks

I like Natty/Natalie but it seems every girl around here is Ella or Ellie so would steer clear of that.

Personally I don't like Natalie because I would HATE hearing her called Na'ali (if that makes sense). I have issues with people not pronouncing the "t" in words and once they miss it off Natalie they probably will not pronounce the ending either, sorry bit ranty.

Ella is pretty, I like Esme and I would pronounce it Ezmi, iykwim as otherwise I would expect it to be spelt Esmee.

What about Erin?

Ella is lovely. As long as DS isn't called Sam.

Don't love Natalie but not sure why so not v helpful sorry

Similar names: Stephanie, Elin, Annie, Alice, Tara

Similar to Esme ... Elsbeth?

Natalie .....my long time all time fave girls name.
Pleeeeease not another Ella!

Ah hadn't thought about people missing the 't' in Natalie. I'm a stickler for that kind of thing so it might matter. But I like the fact it's not one of the many 'e' names.

Ho hum. Can't believe we left it this late

Not keen on Natalie. I like the "Talie" part but not the Nat . Also agree that hearing it as "Na'alie would annoy me.

I do however like Natalia and Natasha. It's harder to say Na'alia and Na'asha and the nn would probably be Talia and Tasha respectively which I think are both prettier than Nat or Nattie.

I love Ella and it wouldn't bother me that it is widely used. As long as your surname doesn't start with an A or a H (the H surname is awkward following a name ending in an "a").

I'm not keen on Esme personally. The nn would likely be Ezzy or Ez (also not as pretty as Talia or Tasha IMO). It is unusual to spell and even those in the know would still likely ask, "Is that with or without an accent and one "E" or two? I wouldn't want to saddle my DD with that ...

Ah I really don't like Natasha or Natalia. Ironic I know!

Sorry to come up with problems, the comments are really helpful though, thank you

I know it's not technically the right nickname but DH likes Tilly for Natalie but I don't think it's a logical extension.

I liked Elsa too but have a big block against using a shortened name for the whole name.

Ah

I take it you must have both crossed Matilda off the list, as the more common long name for Tilly? Tilly is very pretty nn but doesn't come easily off Natalie (IMO)

Do you like Tabitha? (I love it, esp nn Tabby, but not everyone's cup of tea!)

I don't see Elsa as being a shortened name, it is a name in its own right? What's it short for?

Do you like Elise maybe?

Matilda we have wondered about.

Tabitha just says 'cat' to me, much to DH's consternation as he likes it!

Think Elsa comes rom Elizabeth. Or possibly Elsbeth.

i really like Elsa, i don't think it is a shortened form of Elizabeth.

i do think that Ella, though lovely will inevitably be shortened to Ellie.

are there any other names you like op?

That's about it I'm afraid. I blame DH!

Elsa is my all time favorite name!! Love love love it but dh said no I don't think of it as a shortened name.. a gorgeous name in its own right!

I also like Ella although its very popular. Natalie is not to my taste but I like tilly a lot!

Prefer Ella - Na'hully would really get on my thruppenys - it also comes across a bit "schemey" sorry :(

Anastasia (Tasia) is nicer imo as is Natasha but see that has been vetoed.

...and also Marissa :)

oh, and you could always have Ismay instead of Esme - no doubt on how to pronounce.

Natalie! It's lovely and atm unusual, whereas Ella is ubiquitous. The Estuary pronunciation could happen with plenty of names. I wouldn't let it put you off one you love.

Natalie! It's lovely and atm unusual, whereas Ella is ubiquitous. The Estuary pronunciation could happen with plenty of names. I wouldn't let it put you off one you love.

No don't apologise. I know there's never going to be one name everyone Iikes or we'd all be using it.

Hearing people's opinions actually helps me realise my own by my response to them! It's the way I work!

Are you definitely having a girl?

Oh, and I know 1 Ella and no Natalies but my boys are 12 and 11 now so I know less babies.

Well the sonographer said so. Obviously they do get these things wrong.

We're much closer to a decision on the boy's name. Typical!!

Off to bed now but will check in again tomorrow morning. Maybe inspiration will but overnight! Thanks for all the replies so far and your patience with my indecision!

I lovvvve natalie but it's still a bit '80's scheme' where i'm from :( and i adore ella but i find names with 'l' in them hard to pronounce (no idea why but dd has a double ll in her name and it jars in my throat.) Plud dp vetoed it for dd2.

I'd say of the two i would go with ella or elle lovely 'girly' names that grow up nicely too.

Just checking whether this name was a definite needs to be used or whether it was still 50/50 - hope inspiration strikes overnight :)