Genevieve, Matilda, Elspeth or ?

[strawberrye]

We are expecting a little girl in March and both like the following names:
Genevieve (nn Evie)
Matilda (nn Tilly)
Elspeth (nn Elsie)

My husband also likes names like Rosie, Eleanor etc but I'm not so keen. I have grown up with one of the most popular girls names for the past 30 years so would really love to use a name that is slightly unusual (not out there), but is classic and has potential to grow with our daughter from childhood to adulthood.

My favourite is Genevieve, due to the different options for nicknames, and I think as a full name it is timeless, feminine and strong. DH likes it too but feels a bit confused as to whether we would introduce her to people using her full name or nickname (!) - therefore prefers Matilda, Rosie etc.

Would like to know your thoughts and any other names that are similar?

Genevieve or Matilda.

I really don't like Elspeth at all, or Elsie.

Another Elspeth mum here!( there are a few on this thread!) She is mainly known by her full name

I love both Genevieve and Matilda but I prefer Genevieve.

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Not Genevieve unless you are prepared to have a daughter known as Jen/Gen. You can't control nicknames. Also, Evie is so overused.

Of those definitely Matilda although it's also popular. Tilly is good and the obvious short form. Elspeth will be yes another Ellie to add to the pile.

Genevieve and just call her Genevieve.

Can’t stand Elspeth. I think it’s really ugly for some reason...

Genevieve is absolutely beautiful! Matilda is okay but a bit meh...

Elspeth sounds a bit lispy. Elsbeth sounds so much nicer. Or Elisabeth. It's the P I dislike.

Definitely Elspeth rather than Elsbeth - they sound the same but written down the p looks so much more elegant than the b.

Genevieve is also lovely, I'm less of a fan of Matilda, and also in the camp of preferring nicknames to evolve naturally - your child will likely end up changing what you call them to their preferred version later down the line anyway!

If you like the name Evie then easier to call her Eve/Evie/Eva? Using it as a nickname for Genevieve will just confuse people?

Elspeth quite nice and Elsie is a natural nickname for it.

Agree with the poster who pointed out that even kids with 'top ten' names could be the only one In their school - it's so variable, not like in our day when everyone was Catherine/Sarah/Joanne etc?

even kids with 'top ten' names could be the only one In their school

Of course they COULD. Even when choosing a name outside the top 500 there COULD still bu, but the risk is massively reduced!

And it's not just school, it's hobbies, clubs and eventually the work space. Having to differentiate between the several Olivers or Emilys normally means adding an adjective or surname.

Genevieve is my favourite. It is a strong and beautiful name. French speakers will pronounce it Geneviève, which I adore.

Matilda is lovely but Genevieve has the edge. Not a fan of Elspeth.

Geneviève is beautiful!

I'm less keen on the way it's pronounced in English.

I love all 3 names. I would cross off Matilda first though as it is quite popular and that seems to be an issue for you. Genevieve and Elspeth are both great as full names, and I would introduce her as the full name to answer your husband's question. And always write the full name. Then the nickname can be used at home and among family, but she is not stuck with just the nickname as her only option. I've seen this plan work well with some family members - giving the option of either nickname or full name in different situations as she gets older.

I really can't choose between Genevieve and Elspeth - does one sound better with the surname?

I've always loved Matilda. Still slightly regret not calling DD that.

We also considered Rosalind, which is an elegant, classic name which gives your DH the option of Rosie for a nickname?

Love Elspeth. Love Elsie as nn. Love Genevieve.
Would have used either for DD, but too close to my name and name of DNiece.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal what did you end up choosing for DD instead if you don’t mind me asking?

I love the name Matilda xx ❤️

I love Genevieve.. nn Genie

Elspeth. It really stands out from your other names. I think it's strong and nowadays, uncommon. I find Genevieve and Matilda a bit frilly, amd Tilly as a nickname grim and childish.

I love Matilda!

Matilda. Elspeth is lispy and spitty and Genevieve is horrible imo

Elspeth

Please don't use the tedious nicknames! Elspeth is lovely, Elsie is dull and twee. Nicknames should appear organically. Or not. I never had one

100%!
Seems such a shame to use a beautiful name like Elspeth or Genevieve only to call them ‘Elsie’ or ‘Evie’ bit of a waste of such lovely names.

Thanks everyone for your opinions and for the other suggestions.

I can see nicknames is a bone of contention for a few of you! I like names which have the flexibility to use a nickname or a longer more formal name for example for when the child is older, and I agree nicknames should evolve with the child but seeing as she won't be able communicate which nickname she'd like for at least the first few years then that's why we were thinking about a nickname to start with.

Ok thanks for the language lesson! I don't really care about the proper nomenclature...