Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Thoughts on Eleanor

57 replies

91chloejp · 17/01/2014 16:19

I named DS and we agreed that DH would name DD and he's come up with some right ugly names!

Eleanor is the only one I can handle from his list but I really can't see my daughter being called Eleanor. in all honesty, I don't like it. I don't refer to DD as Eleanor and it winds DH up.

Please help me like this name because he's sticking with it.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
91chloejp · 17/01/2014 16:23

The ugly names being:
Lydia
Nora
Dawn
Ruth
Bessie
Olival (olive oil! cue bullying)
Berthie
Carmile
Esther

No offense to those who have any of these names as their own.

I really like:
Isla
Darcey
Elsie
Rose
Lillian

OP posts:
PsammeadPaintedTheLion · 17/01/2014 16:26

I don't understand your choosing method. Can't you find a compromise? Does your dh like your ds's name? Has he always liked it?

Cookiepants · 17/01/2014 16:27

I quite like Eleanor too Smile. You could also shorten it to Ellie or Nell if you like.

HyvaPaiva · 17/01/2014 16:28

Eleanor is really lovely.

Must say, I don't understand that choosing method either.

91chloejp · 17/01/2014 16:38

I like Ellie.

I fell pregnant when I was at uni and eventually dropped out. Long story short, I didn't think he was interested in us and chose his name. After we got married, he told me he felt very left out in the decision making so we agreed that if we do have more children in the future he can choose their name.

He didn't like DS name, no but he said he got over it as soon as he saw him

OP posts:
kreecherlivesupstairs · 17/01/2014 16:38

I've never heard of the name Olival. I do really like the name Eleanor and the NNs you can have. In fact, I like it so much it is DDs middle name.
Of your names I only really like Rose.
I've also never heard Berthie. Should they be Olivia and Bertha? If so, I agree that bertha isn't the nicest name.

hatebeak · 17/01/2014 16:39

Eleanor is a good strong name - not the most exciting, maybe, but it reminds me of medieval queens, it looks graceful on the page and is a name that suits every stage of life. Would you feel happier with the Elinor spelling? On the other hand, if you really hate it, there must be something else you can both like? Nora and Eleanor are both from the stem of Helen (I think?) so how about other versions: Helena, Lena, Nell, Lenora, Ella, Ellen? (I love Ruth and Lydia btw, but that's not helpful is it?)

heavenstobetsy · 17/01/2014 16:40

I was about to post and say it's unlikely your daughter will actually get called Eleanor - every Eleanor I know is called Ellie on a day to day basis ....... so if you like Ellie maybe it's problem solved Grin

91chloejp · 17/01/2014 16:44

Kreech I think he made them up as I've never heard of them. I detest Olival with a deep passion.

Helena is lovely but I have so many Helena's on my dad's side.

I love Ellie so I'll just resort to calling her that. I've just text DH asking him if he likes the name Ellie, and he does, so I have enough time to convince him to just have it as Ellie. But I don't want to 'take this' naming malarkey away from him iyswim.

OP posts:
PsammeadPaintedTheLion · 17/01/2014 16:46

Olival is something from the supermarket, surely? Grin

Ellie sounds like a good compromise. Elinor or Eleanor on the birth cert and Ellie every day Smile

kreecherlivesupstairs · 17/01/2014 16:47

Grin. Brilliant, does he make up very many words?
DD does - then expects you to know what a gubby is for example.

91chloejp · 17/01/2014 16:48

Psam that sounds like a good compromise, thank you!

OP posts:
91chloejp · 17/01/2014 16:48

Kreech haha no he doesn't, but when it comes to names he like to be a bit more "creative"

OP posts:
everlong · 17/01/2014 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

janey68 · 17/01/2014 17:28

Eleanor is lovely, Ella perfectly ok to use for short. Can't abide Ellie though, it sounds wet and babyish

Littlefish · 17/01/2014 17:30

I agree with ever long and Janet. There are much nicer nicknames for Eleanor than Ellie. There are so many children called Ellie around at the moment (often hypened with May/Mai/Mae)!

HowYaLikeThemApples · 17/01/2014 17:32

Eleanor is beautiful, timeless.

squoosh · 17/01/2014 20:52

Berthie! Olival!

I love that he's not only making up names, but making up some butt ugly names! What's next Smegella?

I don't like Eleanor but do like Nora from his list. Esther is nice too with Tess for short.

Rosencrantz · 19/01/2014 01:57

Smegella is glorious! Would suit my pug!

Josie314 · 19/01/2014 02:29

I love Eleanor and wish I could have convinced my husband. Some very good historic role models, plus a great song to sing to her. :-)

"Eleanor, gee I think you're swell..."

Beans1977 · 19/01/2014 08:42

Eleanor is my name (mid 30s) and I love it. I'm Elly for short and love that too, although I did get the obligatory smelly Elly at school - think kids find a reason to tease whatever you're called though!

JanePurdy · 19/01/2014 08:42

We know a Megan who DP insists on calling Smegan.

Elsie, Rose, Lillian, Eleanor, Nora & Lydia have a similar feel to me so I would be surprised if you can't find a name to agree on. What about going through a baby name book with a highlighter & he can choose any you have both highlighted? I can see why being involved in the naming is important to him.

Beans1977 · 19/01/2014 08:43

Ps Josie I had 'Eleanor Gee...' as a dance with my Dad at my wedding as he used to sing it to me!

hels71 · 19/01/2014 18:54

My Eleanor is always called Eleanor! I think it is a beautiful name, but there again I would! The other Eleanor I know is called Ella for short.....

OddBoots · 19/01/2014 18:57

I have an Eleanor who is known as Lenni day to day - her choice.

Swipe left for the next trending thread