Eleanor or Celeste

[BarbieV7]

Hi ladies,

We are stuck between these two names for our dd2. I’m currently over 41 weeks so she should be coming any day and we still haven’t decided

Eleanor seems like a more classic, safe bet and Celeste is maybe a bit more out there though also a classic name it is far less common.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Helpfully liking both. Love the Gothic Victorian feel!

I much prefer Celeste. It's not as usual or clunky and she won't be called Ellie...there are so many!

Eleanor Madeline Celeste Usher. Never a name but it should have been.

Both beautiful, elegant names.

I agree Eleanor is a classic, but I don't think Celeste is. I suppose it depends how you define classic!

Both have several possible diminutives, so if you can't decide I'd suggest thinking about nicknames and what you would or wouldn't be happy with.

If it was me, I'd go with Eleanor.

Good point, when I said classic I meant it’s not a made up name and it’s been around for a while but I can see that it’s not a “classic” name really.

Oh yes I am not a huge fan of Ellie unfortunately and it is likely to get shortened to that. I do like Elle though... Celeste I though cece (sisi) sounds sweet and though I would prefer neither to be shortened, we don’t really have much control of that do we?

Mybworry with Celeste is that I have seen some people mention is sounds a bit like a stripper name to me it’s a delicate and romantic name but if that was he general vibe people had of it I wouldn’t want the poor babe to subjected to that!!

I looove Madeleine too but my dd1 is Matilda so, too similar!

Celeste! It’s lovely 🤗

I like both names and considered both. I had/have the same idea as you as I think Eleanor is more a classical name while Celeste is a bit more whimsical. I like both for exactly those reasons. I think, if I was to be called either of those names myself, I would choose Celeste.

Love Eleanor and it's perfect with Matilda! Celeste isn't anywhere near as classic to me and I really dislike it.

WhiteSea, that’s a very accurate description of the two names for me, classical vs whimsical! Initially I was set on calling her Eleanor Celeste but now Celeste has grown on me so much I’m
Considering it as a first name. I am however struggling to find a middle name which would go well with it.

I’m feeling good about the positive feedback so far though!

Thank you Ginandaplatonic, I want to hear the good as well as the bad :) is there any reason in particular you don’t like it? Do you think it could sound a bit too out there or “stripperish”? Thanks!

I love Celeste.
I think Matilda and Celeste work beautifully,.

Another vote for Celeste. Eleanor is pretty but seems quite a serious name to me.

For middle name I'd have a name with hard 'a' or 'ee' sound at the end.
Eg Ava, or Molly.

I think Celeste is beautiful and elegant and has a similar feel to Matilda. Eleanor is quite dull, there are so many little Ellies around! Go for Celeste for sure.

I love Celeste more than Eleanor. Mine both have short names though because i didn't want them having nicknames from being shortened. A personal thing. Nothing against others but i have an Eve and Anya.

Oh thank you ladies!

Drinkyourmilk, I also love the two together. Thank you for the middle Name suggestions, both are very sweet.

Nikimummy, I definitely see why you’d do that. My Matilda is most often called Matty and while I think it’s a cute nn, it’s not something I would have ever named her.

Not helpful but I think Elena goes really well with Matilda!

To me Eleanor is a very grown up serious name, so of your two I'd pick Celeste.

Another for Celeste ....Eleanor / Ellie is pretty but far too over used

Scottishgirl I love elena and even more so Helena!

Pilotswife, I agree about Ellie, I think it’s actually very cute but yes you do hear it a lot these days.

Ever since I was about 15 (almost 20 years ago!) I was set on Isabella but it’s also become quite popular and even though I know that shouldn’t really matter I can’t help but gravitate to slightly more unused names.

Oh go for Helena!!! Matilda and Helena 😍

Absolutely love Celeste! I know a Celeste who I met when she was around 50 and is now in her 70s and she has always been incredibly social and funny with a lot of friends and family. Although I always think of Celeste as a young beautiful woman when I think of the name.

Wish I had thought of Celeste when naming my own daughters as I would've definitely used it!

Scottish, Eleanor and Celeste still slightly ahead for me though Helena was in my top 10 A’s was Heloise! I also love Aurelia but it’s my dd1 middle name :):)

Moveablefeast, what a lovely association! Thanks for sharing that... what did you name your girls? No problem if you’d rather not share!

Eleanor is more widely used and I probably prefer it to Celeste .
But Celeste is unusual with out being way out. I have a friend who called her daughter Celeste but you don't hear it as much as Ellie all really Eleanor's and I probably know about five Ellie's .

Oh yes I know at least 4 Ellie’s, one of which is my husbands cousins niece...! His side of the family don’t really like Eleanor for that reason and have made it quite clear I think they think said cousin a bit... common. There words not mine! full name Ellie-Jade. I know I shouldn’t let that influence my choice but it does circle around my thoughts. And really I wouldn’t go for Ellie myself but it’s almost inevitable that’s what Eleanor will get shortened to isn’t it?