Elisha for a girl...

[WashableVelvet]

Thoughts? The one in the Old Testament was definitely a boy, but the ONS stats show Elisha is more commonly used for girls, and had a moment about 15 years ago. I like the sound of it, and the Biblical vibe matches DS’s name. But does it look misspelled / dated / like we didn’t think there were any actual women good enough to be named after?

(Not very keen on Alisha or Alicia spellings(

I love it. I knew a little girl called Elisha

Oh, and that’s how her name was spelled btw, E.l.i.s.h.a

I wouldn't personally as she'll spend her whole life dealing with spelling issues....

I've only ever known it as a boy's name and would be confused.

I know of two girls called Elisha, aged 18 and 16. It's completely fallen off the popularity charts since then, whereas Alicia and Alisha are still popular - so she'll get these spellings quite often throughout her life. Even though it is a male name, it's very feminine to me and can't picture it on a boy. I also know of an Elycia (pronounced the same as Elisha), but again spelling will be an issue with this name.

but the ONS stats show Elisha is more commonly used for girls

I only know girls named Elisha. It's pretty and sounds very feminine. It's easy to spell and pronounce too.

I know a girl Elisha. When I first heard the name I thought boy's name but as I don't know any male Elishas then I guess it could be either. I think now I'd think it a girl's name.

Super pretty! On our list too

I would just assume the parents didn’t know it was a boys’ name (is that they were a bit dim) so I wouldn’t use it - I’d use Alisha instead - ie the phonetic spelling of the American pronunciation of Alicia.

Hmm, mixed but more positive than I thought!

The biblical, male, name is pronounced El-eye-sha as opposed to El-ee-sha.

If you are going with the first pronunciation avoid.

If the second, it’s fine to use for a girl.

I don't like it. It's dated, like Shannon, Chloe type names.

I knew one at uni, she would be in her 30’S now. I don’t live it but don’t dislike it either.

One of my best female friends is named Elisha. I think it's great , go for it.

I agree with it being a 'Shannon' type name.

I have personal experience with the name. Yes, there can be pronunciation issues if someone is just reading it and she will definitely have to spell it out. However, we have such a multicultural society that both of these are true of a lot of names. Many very common names can have multiple spellings and/or pronunciations - Sarah/Sara, Katherine/Catherine/Kathryn, Katie/Katy, Amy/Aimee, Gary/Garry, Eleanor/Elinor. So please don't let those concerns put you off.

I know a female Elisha in her 20's with that spelling (never met a male one) - and she seems perfectly happy with her name. I think unless you know your Bible well, most people would assume it's a feminine name due to it being quite soundalike to the more well known/used Alicia. The pronunciation of Elisha is straightforward, though I suspect she has to regularly spell her name, if that matters to you?

Elisha is pronounced el-EYE-sha.

People who are familiar with the OT will pronounce it this way.

Many people will assume you are unable to spell.

I would go for Alicia or Alisha.

Alisha is the nicest, Elisha you will spend whole life spelling it, and Alicia you will spend whole life explaining the pronunciation, I have known three- one pronounced Aleesha, two pronounced Alisseeyah

To me it's a biblical boy name. I would mispronounce it as E-lie-sha and think it was weird on a girl.

I know a baby girl called Elisha. It's pronunciation as El-ee-sha, and spelling - beginning E not A, seemed obvious to me and I didn't think that it sounded like a boys name, but that just seems to mean I don't know the OT well enough, however I imagine I'm not alone on that.

I would definitely assume a boy. It’s a male name.

I love Elisha with the el-eye-sha pronunciation for a boy. Not keen on it for a girl at all.

A family member is called Elisha, pronounced El-ee-sha but every one calls her Ellie.