Esther or Bethany, or suggest an alternative?

[BobandBenway]

Found out we are having a girl! I was so sure it was a boy, and we had an agreed boy's name, but cannot agree on a girl's name!

The only one I really love, and it seems "the one" to me is Esther, but dp hates it (don't think he can get past Esther Rantzen association!).

He is really pushing for Bethany (Beth), which I'm a bit "meh" about - it seems a bit insipid to me, and a bit dated like a 90s name? Plus I don't really like Beth for short - it reminds me of drippy Beth from Little Women!

I am really struggling to come up with any other girls names. I sort of like Rachel, except it is far too over-used. I also like Ruth, but there are too many family members with this name. Although I like these names, they are not "the one".

Help! I'm starting to panic now as I can't see any name being right! Any suggestions? Don't think I will be able to convince dp of Esther!

[autumnkate]

I think Bethany is very dated.

How about Constance?

[Backhometothenorth]

We have an almost 3 year old Esther. Other names were Miriam, Edith, Eliza - so glad we went with Esther- it's a beautiful name and so lovely on a child. The meaning clinched it for us

[daisypond]

Esther is super and loads stronger than Bethany.

[DianaBlythe]

Much prefer Bethan to Bethany. What about Betsan? Or is that getting too Welsh?

Unusual biblical names:

Carmel
Cherith
Keziah
Hepzibah
Zipporah
Ruth

[aliceelizaloves]

I love biblical names and love both Esther and Bethany. I had Lydia and Tabitha on my shortlist. Also how about Elizabeth? Plenty of cute nicknames.

[Cookit]

Rachel was overused quite a few decades a go, it’s barely used now at all.

I quite like Esther. Really don’t like Bethany.

[Astronica]

I like both Esther and Bethany, but find Esther more unexpected and feels a bit more 'now'. I also love the idea of Tess as an Esther nn (not that it needs one though). I agree with the pp who said find other examples of Esther that you can present to your husband. And don't cross it off the list even if he does as he might just come around when he sees the baby - who will be her own little self and may make Esther possible.
Estelle
Estella
Eleanor
Helena
Frances
Louisa
Juliet
Julia
Jemima
Suzannah
Tabitha

[GrumpyOHara]

Bethany is too 90s. Esther is lovely.

[Tillygetsit]

I have a funny feisty mad as a box of frogs friend called Esther with such a strong personality that she'd wipe Rantzen straight out of your dh's mind! Shall I send her round?! I've got a Susannah and a Cassia but think these names may sound too 'soft' for you. Good luck x

[SundayMorningSun]

I prefer Hester to Esther myself, but Esther is nice.

I know a Talitha (TAL-ith-uh) which is a more unusual biblical name, in case that appeals.

[Elmo303]

Love Esther but dislike Bethany and agree it just isn’t as strong and striking.
Agree with a previous poster that Honor is of a similar ilk to Esther and is really gorgeous and unusual on a toddler and so elegant/strong and beautiful sounding for when she’s older. Could be a good alternative

[HD1984]

My Bethany (born Feb 2015) is a Bessie too! 2 yr old Rachel couldn't say Bethany so called her Bessie and it stuck xx

[HD1984]

My Rachel was born in Jan 2013, I love that there's no other Rachels in her school (except 2 teachers!) and lots of people comment on her lovely name xx

[sweetkitty]

I'm just cuddling my Bethany my outdated, schemey, meh, boring, twee named girl, she is gorgeous btw and so is her name

She is nicknamed Bessie as when she was little she couldn't say her name so called herself Bessie and it stuck, I only know one other Bethany as well.

[CPtart]

Jennifer

[SleepyCatOnTheMat]

P.S. Miriam is nice, NNs Miri, Mitzi, Mamie or even Molly.

[soontobeslendergirl]

Esther is lovely, Bethany is a bit schemey and dated.

other suggestions on the old testament theme:

Delilah
Amaris/Amarys
Judith
Kezia
Susanna

[Biscuitsneeded]

Esther. It is a great name for a child and a grown up. I find Bethany a bit twee, although I don't mind Beth.

Agree also that you could think again about Rachel. Only one Rachel at my kids' school. Even though I am an atheits I do like all those biblical names!

Naomi? Sarah?

Or names that I somehow think go with Esther - Honor, Thea, Constance?

[FreedomOfTheTess]

I love Esther.

I used to like Bethany, but after hearing it being pronounced as "beff-un-ee" by a family who live near my sister, it is forever ruined for me!

[SleepyCatOnTheMat]

Yes, Rachel is something like #180 in the name charts, so not overly popular now.

Bethany could be shortened to Betty or Betsy (you are right though, its popularity peaked in the 90s).

[mewkins]

I love Esther. I know a really lovely one.
I like Bethany and have an Elizabeth (who dh wanted to call Beth but she is such a dizzie Lizzie at the monent).

I also like Estelle and Estella in a similar vein...

[BigW]

Do you like biblical names or just the sound of Esther? Here are some that like, but could never use for a number of different reasons.

Eleanor
Stella
Ivy
Florence
Isla
Eliana

I like Esther, but agree with you on Beth. I had my boy's name for ages but really struggled to find a girl's name I liked. Luckily I had a boy!!

[Layl77]

Estée or estelle?

[rallytog1]

Rachel is pretty rare for baby girls these days. 11wo DD is Rachel and everywhere we go people are always commenting on how unusual it is to meet a baby Rachel. None of the MWs in hospital could remember a baby Rachel having been born there in recent years either (we were in hospital a loooong time and met many midwives!)

We know lots of Rachels of other ages (esp in the 25-35 bracket) and there was a spate of baby Rachels when Friends was popular, but it's well outside the top 100 now.

Having said that, I love Esther too - it was on our top five list!