Associations - Elise

[cs111]

The name both of us would like to use is Elise. I have read some negative comments and I am uncertain if our positive associations to Elise are completely off the mark.

What is your first thought when you read the name Elise?

What background do you imagine Elise comes from? (E.g. is she middle class, working class, or does she live in a council estate? What do you think about her parents educations and jobs?)

What do you imagine Elise's siblings are called?

Are there any situations where you think the name Elise becomes ridiculous? (E.g. Prime Minister Elise Jones, lawyer Elise Jones.)

Would you judge Elise in a negative way if you saw her name on a CV?

If you are a parent to an Elise, have you / your daughter met any problems because of her name?

If you are a parent to a child with a name deemed "chav", are the reactions different in real life? Have you / your child met any problems because of the name? (You don't have to share the name if you don't want to.)

Thank you

[pieceofpurplesky]

I have a lovely friend Elise who is a director of a large company in London. Siblings James and Alexa. They are all over 30 though ...

[babyblabber]

First thought is the character from The Tunnel.

We seriously considered it for DD2 but it was just a tad too French for me, although I do love it.

[YourNewspaperIsShit]

Sorry to be the first with negative-ish connotations but this is super common as a name (or similar name combos) in the rough lower class background I have. Any that I have met have been "council estate children" with brothers called Jayden/Kaiden and sisters like Laceyy-May, etc. (Nothing wrong with that though that's where I was raised). Never met any adults with the name.

However that's just in my tiny part of the country and you should go for any name you love!

[Teapot13]

I love it. DH wanted to change DD2's name to Elise and I refused her name had already stuck for me. When we registered her he wanted Elise as a middle name I warned him maybe we should save it. Well, what do you know DD3 was nameless for days and I was kicking myself that we couldn't name her Elise. It is short for Elizabeth, so you could use that if you are nervous kind of a fallback plan.

[howcomes]

I have a niece called Elise, it's a pretty name. Her father has always been a big Cure fan and I sometimes wonder if he got the name from their single "Letter to Elise".

[AnnaMarlowe]

Negative associations, "chav" connotations - for Elise?

Am I missing something?

[Pemba]

Fur Elise too, from piano lessons many, many years ago!

I listened to that youtube clip of someone pronouncing it eh-LEES, I always though it was eh-LEEZ, but maybe the difference is down to American pronunciation? Not sure, though, as I haven't met any Elises in real life.

A pretty name, much nicer than Elsie. Also makes me think of a tall graceful girl, maybe a model or a ballet dancer.

[NiceCuppaTeaAndASitDown]

I knew an Elise. Her name is actually a nickname and her 'proper' name is Elizabeth, but there were too many Liz's and Beth's around so she ended up with what I think is a far nicer name.
She's was a lovely girl, massively sporty, really popular and fairly upper class, I think she does something high powered in the city these days so it's not a name that holds anyone back!

[YourNewspaperIsShit]

Anna I can only speak for my town/area, a lot of people I know called their DD Elise not sure what else I can say It's probably one of the most overused girls names here. I don't know many middle or upper class people I'm sure it's likely used a lot there as well.

[squoosh]

Goodness, you're ^way overthinking it OP. If you like the name Elise pick the name Elise.

[MerryMarigold]

I think of it as a French name. I know one who is dark haired and blue eyed so i guess I think of her. I wouldn't choose it, but I like it. Not particularly overly girly or trying too hard. Never hard anything negative about it.

[MerryMarigold]

Oh, and I only know 1 who does not live anywhere near us. We live in very mixed area though not a lot of middle classes I suppose. I think siblings would be equally innocuous, James and Isabelle maybe.

[PartiallyStars]

Pretty, French. I think of a novel called Elise ou la vraie vie but that is because we had to study it in French A Level.

[Gyderlily]

I know an Elise (actually it's spelt elyse) certainly not a chav she is doing fantastically at school and has won world championships in dance, she has a brother called Liam.
I don't think the name lends it's self to any class but it certainly wouldn't sound out of place in the showing classes my daughter does on her pony! Tbh I think most names sound fine as long as they aren't spelt in a ridiculous way and double barrelled with something (often equally ridiculous) but Elise is a simple and lovely name!

[CakeRattleandRoll]

I know two - one 6yo and one 5yo. Both from middle class backgrounds. Same as above, one has a brother Liam. It's a nice name. The only 'problem' for me would be that there are so many 'El' names around at the moment - Ella, Ellie, Eleanor, Elsa, Eliza, etc.

[Frazzled2207]

I think it's really nice not come across any up here (south manchester).

I think of Elise Christie the speed skater who is awesome.

[DerelictMyBalls]

The Cure song.

Both the Elises I know HATE their name and are known as Ellie. Such a shame, as I think it's beautiful.

[Nelleflowerpot]

Lotus!
Apart from that I have no judgment it seems just a pretty middle of the road type name.

[SorenaJ]

Elise would be a pretty and sweet little girl with blond hair, whose parents are middle class. Elise would have siblings called William and Beatrice. Elise could have any job, but I would be bit surprised finding her as a big, bulky rugby coach.

[MerryMarigold]

Partially, we did Elise ou la vrai vie too!! And Antigone. Both depressing.

[toadgirl]

I think of Für Elise

Yes.

[AnnaMarlowe]

Newspapers I have known a couple of Elises (in a naice area) it just seems such an over egged OP for a fairly ordinary name.., I was wondering if I was missing some vital popular culture reference which would lead one to have negative associations.

[cs111]

Anna I ask because when reading about the name I came across similar to your answers. That most posters think of it as a ordinary name with no negative associations. And a few think of it as a name with strong connotations of a less privileged background.

I have seen it mentioned as a typical "council estate name" and a ridiculous brand name together with names that online seem to be stigmatized (e.g. American new inventions and creative spellings). But also as a "classy sounding name" together with e.g. Clara.

So if some think of classic music and others think of a sister to Braeden and McKayleigh it didn't seem so safe. That's not meant in a bad way, there are great people from all backgrounds, only that some names and backgrounds unfortunately do carry a stigma. And i would prefer if the name didn't carry strong stigmas.

Does anyone know why the difference? Is it about living in different parts of the country?

[cherrypez]

It's DD's name...she is small, dark haired and in her second year of uni. Both her father and I are teachers. She is quiet, intelligent, pretty, kind and sensible.

[MrsGsnow18]

I've never met anyone called Elise or really encountered the name that I can remember.

Elise to me seems like a nice name, I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing it properly though?
E-lease?
E-Liss?