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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Esther - what do you think?

80 replies

Ellynewmum · 29/09/2018 21:34

Hello Ladies,

Im new to this forum and would love to have your opinion on the name Ive chosen for my LG - Esther and Eileen as secondo name

How does this sound to you?

Thanks!

OP posts:
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GreatDuckCookery6211 · 29/09/2018 21:35

I like Esther a lot. Is Eileen after a relative?

helpmum2003 · 29/09/2018 21:37

I love Esther.

Personally I'm not so keen on both names starting with same letter.....

PawneeParksDept · 29/09/2018 21:40

It would be on my list if I was expecting I really like it.

It's due a comeback.

Unfortunately biggest association is with Esther Rantzen but the name itself is lovely.

I knew a teenage Esther about 18 years ago and it really suited her.

Original poster
Ellynewmum · 29/09/2018 21:41

its my hobby pick, relative on his side

OP posts:
MamasGarden · 29/09/2018 21:44

It's a lovely classic, absolutely gorgeous!

lottiegarbanzo · 29/09/2018 21:45

Lovely. Biblical, classic, gentle without being twee.

californiascreaming · 29/09/2018 21:48

I really like it - was very tempted with Hester as a more modern twist on the name (from Dark Materials) but other half didn't like it at all.

cptartapp · 29/09/2018 21:49

Love it.

TeacupDrama · 29/09/2018 21:49

It's great strong name the Esther in the Bible story was a strong brave woman for the times Also easy to spell everyone has heard of it but not that common it is Persian meaning star the Hebrew is actually Hadassah

HabbyHadno · 29/09/2018 21:52

I love Esther, great name!

StompyDino · 29/09/2018 21:53

Esther is beautiful - great choice!

hiveofmumsandvillainy · 29/09/2018 21:54

I had a gorgeous and intelligent friend growing up who was called Esther - I think it's a fab name.

Faster · 29/09/2018 21:55

It was the name id chosen if DS had turned out to be a girl. It’s beautful and I have some really lovely childhood memories linked to the name.

Polkasq · 29/09/2018 21:58

It's OK, not really my taste but a perfectly good name.

DixieTrix · 29/09/2018 23:00

Esther Aileen would be my choice rather than Eileen

AnyaMoondial · 29/09/2018 23:04

I love it.

Original poster
Ellynewmum · 30/09/2018 02:11

Thanks a milion for all the reply!!

Glad to see many positive comments, as I got a few not so positive ones in the last few weeks about it being an old/grannie name not in a good way...

For those of you born and raised in the UK.. how spread is this feeling among the general public / would this affect the baby in her life /school years..?

Thanks!!

OP posts:
kettleonplease · 30/09/2018 02:20

Probably an obvious one but is it pronounced S-ter? I've seen quite a number of Esters announced over facebook/whatsapp recently and I've never known how to pronounce it!

I don't really like the way it is spelt if I'm honest, it just doesn't seem to flow nicely. However I'm sure your baby would be absolutely fine throughout her life with Ester as a name. It doesn't even sound particularly old lady to me but old lady names are all the rage at the moment anyway!

Bluntness100 · 30/09/2018 02:29

I'm not a fan if I'm honest op, I'm female and I wouldn't wish to be called Esther Eileen. It doesn't feel very feminine, I don't think it's particularly beautiful or even strong, I'm sorry,

Original poster
Ellynewmum · 30/09/2018 02:30

@kettleonplease
yep true!
Yes it's pronounced S (spelling the letter 'S')-ter

Thanks!

OP posts:
PenelopeFlintstone · 30/09/2018 02:33

Lots of Baptists called Esther where I live.

Original poster
Ellynewmum · 30/09/2018 02:44

@PenelopeFlinstone
Is that in the UK or another EU country ?
thanks!

OP posts:
Joeybee · 30/09/2018 06:34

Love it. Esther sounds like an old fashioned name probably to a lot of Brits, but old names are gaining popularity. Plus it's a pretty popular name in Spain/Portugal, so to me it has a bit of an international vibe.

Original poster
Ellynewmum · 30/09/2018 09:37

You're right it has an International vive, it is used also in Italy and France

She'll grow up and go to school speaking English here though so I hope Shell be fine

Thanks

OP posts:
daisypond · 30/09/2018 10:04

Esther is a great name - strong and not cutesy. I know a great teenage Esther.