What do you think of Hester?

[Laquila]

I've always liked this name but wonder whether I'd spend a lifetime correcting people who thought it was just Esther spelt wrong.

Do you know any Hesters? Can you think of any NNs?

It's okay. Prefer Esther.

Love it.

I know one. She's a hetty

I know a Hester and she is Dutch. I've never heard it shortened to a nn.

I hadn't thought of Hetty as a nn, but it seems obvious now!

I do know what you mean, Flighty, ref more suitable for an adult, but I have an irrational horror of naming my child something too babyish (for me anything like Daisy, Dolly, Millie etc - all nice names but not IMO suitable for an adult) but maybe I'm going too far the other way!

I know a few Esthers -- I like Hester a lot but don't know any. Hetty is a lovely nn..

I don't think you can go too far in the direction away from Dolly, Millie, etc .

I think of adultery, but that's probably because I had to read "The Scarlet Letter"

I think it's a bit ugly - sorry!
What about Harriet?

Hester makes me think of spinsters festering...

It's lovely. And DD's middle name

Love it, prefer it to Esther.

Thanks all.

Agh, why didn't I think of Hester Prynne?! I quite like Harriet but not enough to use it.

I did worry a tiny bit that it reminded me of witches, for some reason, but thinking about it I think that was because there was a witch called Hecate (poss in Macbeth).

Hmmmm witches and adultery...but I do like it!

I'm not at all keen, sorry. It's not particularly alluring/pretty/glamorous/inspirational/meaningful/elegant/positively connected. I just don't feel it has any redeeming qualities. I would be horrified if I had been given the name Hester, it's not as if it's unusual and not particularly pretty BUT there's a famously fantastic Hester to give people that positive first impression. I think it's an odd choice out of all the girls names out there.

I love the name Hester! I twice saw a tarot reader called Hester who was amazing. It was high on the list if ds had been a girl. Go for it!

I love Esther. Hester's ok. I prefer 'adult' sounding names too, and a lot of people thought dd's name sat oddly on her as a baby (Audrey), but it very quickly suited her down to the ground. Babyhood is gone in a flash.

I know a Hester who is called Hetty. I think it is very sweet and also elegant.

Love it. They're adults for longer than they're children :)

Dala sorry, who is the famously fantastic Hester?!

I quite like Honor - it's growing on me!

Yoni do you mind if I ask what else was on your girl's name list if you also liked Hester?

Rhubarb I really like the name Audrey but I have an aunt of that name, and there would be squabbling amongst the other zillion aunts if I was deemed to be showing favouritism...;)

Love Hester.

I really like Hester, and know a lovely girl with the name. It's cool and classy and I think it is far nicer than Esther.

I'm sorry but I really really really dislike the name Hester. It sounds ugly and frumpy to me. Possibly due to a book I read with a character called Hester but I just don't think it has a very nice sound to it.

Love Honor though...

It makes me think of the Addams family

Sorry but I don't like it at all. I actually thought it was a boys name. Hetty is cute though.

I thought it was the cannibal's name from Silence of the Lambs. Never thought it was a girl's name. Don't like it.