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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Ethel

87 replies

Moonbea · 30/04/2019 18:43

What do you think of the name Ethel?

Is it too old fashioned?

What middle name would go with it?

Opinions and ideas please.

OP posts:

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dinosaurtwothreeroar · 30/04/2019 20:18

I absolutely love Ethel and it was on our shortlist. I liked the idea of Ettie as a nickname. I love old man and old lady names though

MrsSchadenfreude · 30/04/2019 20:21

Ugly, hideous name.

Merename · 30/04/2019 20:21

I ADORE Ethel. DH wouldn’t let me, otherwise I’d have totally used it. Also Edith, both very cute and classic.

MissParple · 30/04/2019 20:22

Is Ethel really considered a classic name?

PlatypusLeague · 30/04/2019 20:33

I don't mind it, having met a perfectly nice Ethel quite recently (and no, she isn't old).

Creatureofthenight · 30/04/2019 20:39

Very old fashioned and I dislike the sound.

BananaDaiquiri · 30/04/2019 20:44

I dislike it. Sorry. I know it's super trendy at the moment, and there are other "old lady" names I like such as Mabel, but Ethel is not for me.

Oly4 · 30/04/2019 20:45

It’s horrible!

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 30/04/2019 20:49

Ethel Hallow in The Worst Witch. Ugh.

(Mind you, I wouldn’t go for Mildred or Maud, either.)

LadyGAgain · 30/04/2019 21:14

Awful and terribly ugly.

ArgusFilchsCat · 30/04/2019 21:59

My gran was came Ethel and she warned me never to caall my DC after her!

pearldeodorant · 30/04/2019 22:37

Sorry Ethel Hallow came to mind for me too. I really really wouldn't burden a child with it

MrsBungle · 30/04/2019 22:42

So dowdy!

villainousbroodmare · 30/04/2019 22:44

Nope. Eithne (ETH-na) is a nice Irish name which has a similar but imo much lighter tone.

Sophronia · 30/04/2019 23:17

I wonder why other names from that era are making a comeback, but Ethel is so unpopular.

Ethel Charlotte
Ethel Florence
Ethel Joy
Ethel Hannah
Ethel Rebecca
Ethel Susannah

SemperIdem · 01/05/2019 00:46

It is hands down the ugliest name in existence. It sounds like a noise someone makes whilst very out of breath after running.

Willow2017 · 01/05/2019 00:58

Awful.
Sounds awful when spoken, just sounds 'ugly' sorry op.

I remember 'The Streak' too, great song, loved the 'voices'.😁

JenniferJareau · 01/05/2019 01:00

It's awful, it really is. Dreary, frumpy & unusable IMO.

Agree

BelulahBlanca · 01/05/2019 01:05

It’s horrible

Aquamarine1029 · 01/05/2019 01:12

Christ on a bike, no. It's old fashioned in the worst way possible. It's just ugly.

Tavannach · 01/05/2019 01:17

Ghastly.

EdtheBear · 01/05/2019 01:29

Does she come with a pug?

Sorry Op has to be nicer names out there.

raeray · 01/05/2019 02:21

Ethel Isabella
Ethel Caroline
Ethel Alexandra

I think once little Ethel was here people would fall in love with the name because it's hers.

I think a longer traditional but slightly more popular middle name goes well with it

FurrySlipperBoots · 01/05/2019 02:28

Horrendous. If you must go 'Old lady', Edie is preferable.

MercyBodle · 01/05/2019 03:09

A vintage name that's not ready for a return, I think. I don't find it attractive at all. It was one of the most popular names in its time though, so may come back at some time.

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