Ella?

[heavenknows2007]

So now we're thinking of Ella as a name. I know it's been very common (number 16 now) -- the question is, is it so overdone as to be a joke? I've always loved the name, even as a child, but if it's going to be really dated later than I'd rather avoid it.

So, in short, -- what do you think when you think of the name Ella?

Ella is a pretty enough name and you might think... number 16 on baby name list, so popular, but not too popular.

But what are the other popular names in the top 20?

1. Amelia - often shortened to Millie. So similar sound.
2. Isla - similar sound
3. Emily - similar

6.. Ava - similar vibe. Two syllables. Ends in "a". Palindrome.

1. Isabella - often shortened to Ella

18. Isabelle

Then there are names like Elsie, Ellie, Layla, Lola.... all in the top 50.

It's just so... Blah. Meh. Dull.

Names tend to go in sound-trends. I think Freakonomics wrote about this.

So suggesting alternative names that sound similar (Etta instead of Ella etc. etc.) is probably not a great idea if the person is looking for a name that is not super popular.

There seem to be lots of "Ls" "Vs" and vowel sounds in popular names at the moment.

What about Eleanor? We are also considering Eleanor

There are six Ella's in my DS class in reception. They are known obviously by surname - Ella A, Ella B etc

I think it's a pretty name but it's over done now and there are other equally, if not nicer, names that are no way near as popular.

Rosella can be shortened to Ella.
Someone posted it on another thread, it's a colourful Australian bird.

Annabella
Isabella
Arabella can all be shortened to Ella but atleast your dd will have a unique first name.

Any appeal long gone due to over use. Like being called sarah 30 years ago. That together with variants of eve, lily and isabel(la) fill the classrooms of England. Dull dull dull lots of great names why do people all choose same few?

I think it's really popular but only know one who is 20 and one who is 12.

Funnily enough I know lots of Ellens and Eleanors. In dd's year 6 class there are four!

Am wondering why posters have to be quite so rude?? Dull dull dull to you, but we chose Ella as it was a family name (a female relative we never knew as she gave up her child for adoption). As I said up thread, we don't know any others - we're in another part of UK (not England), maybe it's more popular down South?
Anyway, just wondering if it's really necessary to be quite so rude and unpleasant?

It's dull. IMO. Am sure you would not like my dds names.

When first pregnant I nearly named dd1 Olivia the most overused name of all. Thanks to threads like this I realised in the nick of time how overused it was and picked something better. First baby group I walked into - 3 Olivia's. People don't tell you this stuff in real life and when you are pregnant with your first you often have no clue about popularity of names well I didn't.

As someone with a dull popular name myself wanted to avoid it for mine.

The OP has asked for opinions on the name Ella and in particular she asked whether the name is 'overdone' and likely to date!

Yes, in my opinion the name Ella (along with similar trendy names Evie, Ellie etc) has become quite dull due to being so overused. Such fashionable names will eventually fall out of favour again (e.g. Sharon, Sarah, Michelle were all super trendy) and start to sound dated.

Isn't that the point of these threads? To offer our opinions.

Yes of course, but I think here is no need to be quite so rude.

I'm sure I wouldn't like your childrens' names either but would refrain from being nasty about them, even if I was giving my opinion.

I understand the dated comment, and to be fair, it's not something I considered when we picked the name but as I've said previously, it's not common here so not something I've really thought about before. I wish it wasn't so common, but I'm sure every other parent of an Ella does too!!

Anyway, won't open a thread on this name again as I felt it was unnecessarily unpleasant rather than just opinions.

I absolutely love the name Ella. It's always been one of my favourites but sadly DH didn't agree so we weren't able to use it for DD. DD name isn't even in the top 100 yet there are 3 in her class at preschool. I wouldn't worry about how popular names are. DS has a top 10 name and he's the only one in his infant school with that name. I know some children with God-awful names that I'm sure they only picked to be 'different'. In short, if you love Ella then use it, it's pretty and classic and I know a couple of adult Ella's who are wonderful women so it definitely suits both little girl and grown woman.

No one is thinking of it as a thread about your child's name, lilyrose. They're looking at it as a name in the abstract. I think every name gets critiqued on here.

To us, it will date. To you, it's the word for one of the most special creatures in your life. Of course you feel defensive when people here say there's a zillion of them etc.

I'm afraid Ella has become very common round here and therefore I feel it's a little bit boring. Personally I'd choose a less popular name.

(I hope I've not been rude, I'm just offering my opinion)

I'm an adult Ella in my late 20's and I LOVE my name - I'm often complimented on it. I don't know any other Ella's - if you like it, go for it - it will never be a joke name!

Your parents named you well before the name become so popular. Do you know many Ellas your age?

It's completely and utterly boring.

The Sarah of the 90's

If we all posted how lovely every name was to spare feelings there would be little point in a baby names section.

And if it prevents some gorgeous newborn being named a commonly accepted stripper name so much the better.

I don't like it and I don't mind popular name usually.

It feels unfinished and a bit light weight.

Ok as a nick name for a longer name like Eleanor etc.

I actually don't know any Ella's and I have three children the oldest aged 8. When my eldest was born I was aware Ella was quite popular but think it must have faded in popularity since - as previous poster said people end up looking for different but similar sounding names! Anyway, I think Ella is pretty and as popularity has now waned there may not be as many babies with this name.

It was on my list, but got knocked off for being too popular. I hate to follow the herd.

If it wasn't so popular I would've used it though!