Etta or Blythe

[BoomBoomBoomLetMeHearYouSay]

Which of these names do you prefer and do you have any other similar suggestions?

So genuinely you think my daughter is going to introduce herself as Blythe and people are going up say “oh yes, like the obscure drug addled town in northern England”.

She’s going to be mentally scarred. I should just call her Olivia it Amelia

It's pretty clear from the thread that some people will make the connection or think it's an ugly name because of it. As with every baby name, some (rude) people might make comment on it to you or to your DD, or will potentially treat her differently based on it.

People are just pointing out there are pros and cons to both names and highlighting something you evidently hadn't thought of. Some posters would be bothered enough by the responses to want to change their name choice, others wouldn't care. You can insist people won't make the connection as much as you want but it's pretty clear from the responses that it could be an issue that you might want to consider given that Blyth isn't 'obscure' to everyone. If you aren't bothered by that then at least you are now aware of it and can happily use the name Blythe, which you clearly really like, with all of the information. Is that not why you asked for opinions in the first place?

I think Blythe is beautiful.

Etta is bit dull, already too popular, and too similar to the Ella/Eva/Ava vibe which is totally ubiquitous now, also I have an irrational dislike of naming children after jazz singers (but that is purely my own preference )

Literally no-one is going to think you named her after a deprived northern town if you called her Blythe 😂😂

I have never even heard of the town plus even if I had, Blythe is a name.

I don’t love the name because the sound is a bit clunky but I kind of love how retro and strong it sounds (old lady names that are coming back are often a bit twee I find like Elsie etc, Blythe isn’t twee).

I really like Blythe.
Blythe Danner is an actress I think. Gwenyth Paltrow’s mum?
Course it’s a name.

Love Blythe. Agree with a PP that it has the same vibe as Verity. I think those kinds of grown up names for women are due a revival. Eleanor and Frances and Elizabeth and Margaret and Catherine etc.

Etta is a bit girly, and very like lots of name that are popular at the moment that start with E and end in A. And it sounds like it should be short for something like Violetta. Pretty enough and way better than the likes of Evie due to the hard T giving it an edge. I get the terrorist association but it wouldn't be my first thought (and surely terrorists are a worse association than deprived swing seats, which, lets face it, is why so many more of us have now heard of Blyth Valley).

"Literally no-one is going to think you named her after a deprived northern town if you called her Blythe"

RTFT

I like both but prefer Etta. (Etta James is one of my favourite singers, so perhaps it's that association that is pushing me in that direction.)

You can’t control what people think when they hear your child’s name, for example, when I hear Amelia I hear the medical term and think ‘why would you use that!?’ but in no way do I think that’s why the name was used. People may think ‘Blyth is an awful place’ but they won’t think it’s why the name has been chosen. They also won’t dwell on it for long!

Yes but Trojanwhore we all know MN isn't real life

Have to admit my first thought was Blyth Spartans, the football team (strong family association) from the North East Town, swiftly followed by gwyneth paltrows mother.
Etta- etta james amazing singer but think I'd prefer it as a nickname for something

for example, when I hear Amelia I hear the medical term and think ‘why would you use that!?’

See also... Candida, Elisa, Melena!

There is an actress in Taggart called Blythe Duff. I like Blythe . Etta sounds like a diminutive of Henrietta or Marietta.

Love Etta!

I really don’t like Blythe. It’s old fashioned but not old lady chic. It’s more like Susan or Barbara to my mind. Only it’s worse because it’s got a horrible sound to it. Ditto Blanche.

Etta is ok. Prefer Etty.

I much prefer Etta. It's a beautiful name.

I love the name Etta - but! Told this to one of my friends who pointed out that if someone days the name who drops their 't's it sounds rather like the sound on a game show when you get the answer wrong or like a donkey braying.

Ehh aww

And it ruined it for me :(

@BoomBoomBoomLetMeHearYouSay what did you go for?? I have a Blythe and get so many compliments on the name and LOVE it