Emily?

[Dillydallier]

Emily... yay or nay?

Thoughts?

Honest opinions don't have to be rude though! Many of us on here have said that's either our name, or a dc name. Then lots of posters come on and say how dull and beige it is and how disengaged a parent must be for using it...I call that rude.

I’ll stick with my classic name choice and leave others to use the whacky ‘out there’ names.

Why do those defending overused classics names always claim that the only alternative is a whacky 'out there' name?

Sorry though op, I'm narky as I have an Emily & she is to me beautiful, quirky, clever and wise and suits her lovely name I'll be quiet now!!

Emily, along with Emilia, Amelia, Amelie, have become a little overused and feel a little dull as a result. A bit like Jane or Clare - fine names but just too common.

I'd rather my parents choose a more memorable name. Not 'whacky' but just not so overused.

I’m wondering if people would consider “James” dull, overused and beige? As that’s my top name for a boy.

Then lots of posters come on and say how dull and beige it is and how disengaged a parent must be for using it...I call that rude.

How else should posters help the op and offer their honest opinions?

Just say 'I don't like it'? Without a reason?

I don't know, it wouldn't be my instinct though to be unpleasant about a name choice. It surprised me to be honest, I don't know anyone who would say those things in real life!

James is really great. Now, that is a classic name. I don’t think it’s dull or beige. Emily isn’t like that, though. It’s not really a “classic“ to me. It’s Victorian, I think, and then a bit servanty. Was it around before that? If you want classic with oomph like Anna or Catherine, it doesn’t fit - in my opinion.

It’s ok. A bit on the boring side. But there aren’t many small ones so she’d probably be the only one in her class. Amelia/Emilia seem to have taken its place.

Classic, in my opinion. Definitely a 'yay' from me.

I’m going to say I find it a bit dull too but without any offense or malice meant. Just personal preference / opinion.

It’s not because I prefer crazy or wacky names either - One of my favourite girls names is Lucy which could also be considered dull - but to me, it sparkles.

Ultimately that’s what you want, OP. A name that makes you happy when you say it
If that name for you is Emily, then our opinions are moot

Good luck!

gruffalo the PP who referred to a ‘lack of engagement’ gave the impression that anything remotely well known or ‘main stream’ indicated a lack of thought. To me that implies that in order to be deemed a suitable name to that PP it must be pretty ‘out there’

I have absolutely no issue with people disliking the name or finding it boring. That’s absolutely fair enough and indeed what the OP asked. There are plenty of popular names I find boring / insipid whatever. But as another poster said, there’s no need to criticise people who chose the name as boring or suggest they put no thought into it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

No, and I even I said, you don't have to go for anything whacky. I think it is the name equivalent of magnolia. Look, the op did ask.

@daisypond I’ve had a little google about Emily just out of interest. It was around from Chaucer’s “A knight’s tail” and was a normal English name. When the Hanover’s came with “Amelia” people would use the anglicised “Emily”. Princess Amelia was called Emily. I think Emily is like what Harry is to Henry.

Found it quite interesting. If a boy then definitely James!

*tale!

@Dillydallier
It does make me feel different about a name if I know it’s older. I tend to like older, classic names. I remember being astonished to discover Tiffany was an ancient name when I’d assumed wrongly it was modern and something to do with the jewellery company.

🙋🏻‍♀️ I have one who’s about to start reception.

There was one or two in nursery in her age group, and a couple older and younger. As well as an Emmeline (who has my youngest name as a middle name - her mum said we must have similar taste ).

@daisypond yes I was so surprised! Sometimes Emily even gave me American vibes. But I guess Emily is so popular in the US because it gave them English vibes.

@daisypond

James is really great. Now, that is a classic name. I don’t think it’s dull or beige. Emily isn’t like that, though. It’s not really a “classic“ to me. It’s Victorian, I think, and then a bit servanty. Was it around before that? If you want classic with oomph like Anna or Catherine, it doesn’t fit - in my opinion.

This reminded me of my Nan who would call Emily an "under the stairs name" She had very strong opinions though and I would take these with a pinch of salt.

Personally I know three Emily's, all in the thirties and all lovely if that is anything to go by. I have recently had a baby myself so have been in multiple baby classes and have not met a baby Emily yet.

Nay - dull & dreary... I should know, it's my name!

It's nice, personally I know too many in their 30s, so I associate it with all those women, if you see what I mean.

I always think, if the worst someone can say about a name is that it's "dull", that's hardly the worst insult.

Very, very bland.

Boring and bland.