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Ethel...too old lady?

73 replies

powderbluerose · 02/11/2017 21:19

I don’t know why but I really like Ethel. Ettie for short. But I can’t get the image of a cute little old lady called Ethel out of my head! Opinions please! :)

OP posts:
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Awwlookatmybabyspider · 02/11/2017 21:23

There's nothing wrong with old ladyish. Vintage names are fab.
However Ethel is awful. Very frumpy and dowdy.

GinIsIn · 02/11/2017 21:24

It reminds me of the worst witch.

Inkandbone · 02/11/2017 21:25

I like Ettie but not Ethel, sorry.

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 02/11/2017 21:27

I love old lady names but I think Ethel is a step too far.
How about Enid or Edith?

Mulch · 02/11/2017 21:27

I don't think it's due a come back just yet

Themummy76 · 02/11/2017 21:28

I like Ethel!

BeanoNoir · 02/11/2017 21:29

I like Ethel. I remember back at school there was an Esme and at the time it felt like the most old fashioned name ever. Look how popular it is now

LucieLucie · 02/11/2017 21:29

It’s horrific. Sorry

PeasAndHarmony · 02/11/2017 21:29

I like old lady names but I really don’t like Ethel, it sounds ugly to my ears!

How about Etta?

BarbieBrightSide · 02/11/2017 21:32

I knew a baby Edith when I had my youngest (now 7). I thought it was a bit old ladyish at the time, but now it isn't IYSWIM.

Edith better than Ethel for me.

Haffdonga · 02/11/2017 21:36

I love the name Ethel. Soft, flows nicely and less over-popular than some of the other fashionable similar vintage names.

MyNewBearTotoro · 02/11/2017 21:37

Ettie is adorable!!!

I’m not so keen on Ethel but, although not to my tastes, I know a lot of babies with what I would call ‘old lady names ‘ - they seem very in - Elsie, Dorothy, Edith, Florence, Mabel, Iris etc

If you like Ethel by all means go for it - if it’s not quite in yet no doubt in another few years it will have come around again so maybe you’ll beat the trend!

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 02/11/2017 21:40

Old ladies were once little babies and children, Ethel is is cute name, that she can take throughout, childhood is a blip in her exciting life.

woodhill · 02/11/2017 21:40

Its hideous, not good

DramaAlpaca · 02/11/2017 21:42

I honestly can't think of anything nice to say about the name Ethel.

Summerswallow · 02/11/2017 21:42

I just can't quite believe this is the most beautiful name you have found, when there are so many lovely choices. I wouldn't want to be called Ethel myself and that's my benchmark for a name.

timshortfforthalia · 02/11/2017 21:43

Ethels a beautiful name. If I had another dd I would be working the hard sell on dh.

Saying that, I gave ds a slightly quirky old man name. It's not one anyone else uses, common but unusual. He's eight now, and has talked a lot recently about wanting to change it...

pret · 02/11/2017 21:43

Hasn’t Lily Allen got an Ethel? I lwuiye like it

Meepmoop · 02/11/2017 21:43

I like Ethel, I did name my cat that though.

OrdinaryGirl · 02/11/2017 21:47

Ethel is a terrific name. Strong and unusual these days. I think it looks beautiful written down as well as spoken. And it’s a diminutive form of an Old English name meaning ‘noble’ - start a trend OP!
nameberry.com/babyname/Ethel

BuzzKillington · 02/11/2017 21:48

Noooo! It's too awful.

Trills · 02/11/2017 21:51

Go for it.

In 5 years time it may be the new fashion.

powderbluerose · 02/11/2017 21:53

Interesting to see such mixed opinions. It’s definitely a marmite name!!
I do love Etta too, that’s nice.

OP posts:
cakeandteajustforme · 02/11/2017 21:54

I love it.

drspouse · 02/11/2017 21:55

My DD has a very old fashioned name and you will get lots of old ladies fawning on her because they share a name.
I like it and agree it will have a come back soon.

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