Enid

[Parmenides]

I have suddenly decided that I love this name above all others and frankly don't care what DP thinks on the matter.

The only weensy hitch is I'm not sure about the assonance that exists when it's used with my surname: Enid Stephens.

Thoughts?

You can tell me your thoughts on Enid too, if you like. Though I shan't listen to you unless you are wholly positive about it, obviously.

That's quite the best poem I have ever read, Bluestocking.

Hey, what's wrong with Agnes?!

Someone upthread suggested Gloria, which was on an early longlist. I do like it. But the prospect of it being abbreviated to 'Glore' upset me.

Why thank you, Parmenides!

GoWestCountry, boys names are harder, aren't they?

On our shortlist were:
Benedict
Lucas
Ralph
Edmund
Tobias

But didn't love any of them...

I had a recent obsession with by Ingrid Michaelson which led to a brief flirtation with the name, Ohhelpohnoitsa.

But - alas - it's not for her.

A bad poem.

What is wrong with Enid, Freda, Margot, Arthur?
Or Alf the name of my dear Grandfather?
Ethel, Mabel, Edna, Bill
Cecil, Albert or even Gill?
Tracey, Jane, Sharon or Wayne
Dean or Duane or even Shane?
Holly, Molly, Millie, Mandy or come to that even Sandy
The answer I think is always the same
Will your child like their name?

Blanche? Mumsnet needs a baby Blanche.

Here is my poem, based on my own true life experiences, redrubyindigo

It's called: 'My Parents Named Me Laetitia'.

They wanted me to be classy
But alas, I defied their wish
Since late June 1973
I have always been known as Tish

You make what you want of your name, I reckon. There are few very truly absolutely terrible ones that can't be improved with a bit of creative nicknamery, in my view.

I have a friend called Blanche! She's French and very stern.

It's a pity Marlo seems a bit made up because Marlo Stephens is great.

Enid Stephens just doesn't work.

Blanche, Blythe and Brima are great.

You cannot have Esther or Hester Stephens. How many 'stuhs' can a name have? Though I don't like Enid, still makes me think Sharples, I'm afraid. How about Millicent or Getrude?

Enid is a HORRIBLE harsh old biddy name. Please dont do that to your daughter. Marian is much better...

But Old biddy names are fashionable, and all names go in cycles. When I grew up, names such as Harry and George were considered old, and now we have princes with those names.

Thanks Parmenides, am going to add a couple of those to my list. Boys names are much harder, infact I think the only one I really like is my brother's name and that doesn't go with my married surname at all!

I would hate to be called Enid.

And Enid Stephens just seems to have too many "ee" sounds close together, if that makes sense.

What about Ines? Or is that Agnes in another language? :/

Ramona is FABULOUS!!! I'm stealing it!!!

I'm sorry but Enid doesn't sound like a name, more of a mumble.

I think you need to go with something different as Agnes is much much nicer! I would feel sorry for Agnes's little sister named Enid.

Edith?

I just found this post when searching Enid as a name for my little girl.
I ho early can't believe some of the comments people write lol.
Old fashioned names are so in now...
I love it.
Did you use it in the end? Xxx

Una?

Enid is in origin Welsh and mythological. I grew up knowing a good friend with a Welsh 'Auntie Enn-id' so I always think of it that way. And I suppose if you are bothered Enn-id is more technically correct.

I like Maud among earlier posters' suggestions. And I love Marion (the original French spelling for 'little Mary'.) And I really like your first DD's name Agnes.

OP What about Agatha (which I like a lot)? Or even Beryl? Or Judith? Or Jean (rather cool) or Joan or Jane?

Enid is not a pretty name!