A few names I like that my husband doesn't, are they really that bad?

[caitlinrose]

First of all, these names are off our list because I respect that my husband doesn't like them.

I'm still curious to hear what people think of them. These are the ones my husband absolutely hated and I'd like to know if other people think they are that bad or if some people here like them.

Agatha - this was a favourite of mine
Astrid - he said it's easy to tease someone with (I personally find it stylish)
Elsa - he said it was a cow's name and old lady. A pity because this is a longtime favourite of mine
Agnes - he disliked the sound
Gwendolyn - he said it was clunky
Gwenllian - he found it weird, to me it is a historical name that sounds like Gwen + Lillian so easily explainable

So what are your thoughts on Agatha, Astrid, Elsa, Agnes, Gwendolyn and Gwenllian?

My husband and I have really different styles. I like classic names, quite a few eccentric names and some nature names. He is mainly into trendy names and some names that I guess could be called a bit dated. But we still managed to find some names we both like.

I think your names are a bit frumpy. Sorry!

I’m very sorry, but I think those are all really ugly names apart from Astrid. I have always thought Agatha and Martha were the two ugliest female names in existence.

They are all old lady names and Elsa (to me) is a cow or a cartoon character.

However; they’re at least not boring and old lady names are definitely making a comeback, so you’re possibly even more cutting edge than your DH. 😁 What names does he like?

Elsa I quite like but the rest seem old fashioned and frumpy to me.

I only like Astrid from your list sorry (Elsa is nicer but will be forever Disney)

Gwen or Gwennie?

Elsa is lovely but the rest are really harsh and a bit ugly.

Interesting list! I do think they’re potentially quite divisive names.

Just to be clear, if I met anyone with any of these names, I’d probably think my initial opinion of the name, then push it aside, and ignore it cos name assumptions are tedious and wrong. But we all have gut reactions and here’s mine:

Agatha - witch name
Astrid - nice, Swedish, tall, blond
Elsa - Frozen
Agnes - Also a witch name, old fashioned, likely to become popular again, maybe catholic (I get mixed up with Agnus Dei)
Gwendolyn - wimpy girl from Enid blyton stories, cries a lot.
Gwenllian - I’ve never heard this name before. I’d think a welsh name I’d not heard of if I heard it spoken out loud, or possibly yes a made up combination name if I saw it written down.

I love the name Astrid and considered it for DD.

I like quite strong non girly names for girls and that one was right up there.

Haha I think Agatha is a witch name, but I love Martha! Name associations are so random!

I love Agnes and Astrid. Agatha is ok.

Thing is, names are so personal and subjective. If he doesn’t like them, he doesn’t like them.

Agree

I take it neither of you have seen Frozen?

They are not to my tastes and all very alike.

If you prefer more classical names, would things like the Royal type names be any good for you? Catherine, Alexandra, Charlotte etc. I quite like Victoria.

Astrid is nice and I don't mind Agnes or Gwendolyn, but I don't think Gwenllian is pronounced with the same sounds as Lillian in Welsh so could cause confusion.

Haha Gwenllian is NOTHING like Gwen Lilian.

I quite like Elsa but the rest seem a bit old fashioned. I think Astrid is more modern but it's a bit sharp sounding to me

Agatha - ugly af. Sorry.
Astrid - I've always liked this name because of Astrid Lindgren so don't mind tht one.
Elsa - bit boring
Agnes - again, ugly af.
Gwendolyn - Gwen is OK.
Gwenllian - never heard of this but it sounds very clunky

Gwenllian is Welsh and unless you live in Wales and know how to pronounce the double 'LL' , the name will always be mispronounced and spelt wrongly.

I think you and your husband need to find the crossover of traditional/classic and (potentially) trendy.

To start you off:
Nerissa
Nina
Perdita
Zilpha

Very 1920's.

‘Witch name’ made me giggle. 😂

Love your categorisations.

I love the name Gwenllian and said properly it doesn’t sound clunky but it came off my list as very few of DHs family could manage the Welsh LL sound

Definitely not my taste but there are similar names I think are a bit better like
Elsie
Elinore
Aster
Esther
Adrienne
Adina

Yes, what cats23 said, you both need to be able to pronounce the LL sound and your comparison with Lillian makes me think maybe you aren't aware of it..

Gwendolyn and Gwenllian are both lovely (though as a pp said, Gwenllian is NOT similar to Gwen Lillian and will be mispronounced outside of Wales). I like Agatha too.

Hate astrid and love the rest