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Original poster

Elsie-Mae or Sofia-Something?

89 replies

Papergirl1968 · 22/03/2023 09:46

Asking on behalf of Dd, 18, who is 34 weeks pregnant.
She has been keen on Elsie-Mae for a long time, but recently has been considering Sofia-Something instead. Not Sofia-Mae as that is similar to the name of a friend she's recently fallen out with.
I know hyphenated names aren't popular with everyone and I strongly suspect that on a day to day basis baby will just be called by the first name, but does anyone have any thoughts about Elsie v Sofia, or suggestions for Sofia-what?

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NBLarsen · 22/03/2023 17:23

If she already has an Ella-Rose then Elsie-anything is a bit daft! Ella and Elsie together? Far too similar to work and will be weird for the children.
Personally I don't like the spelling of Mae, it just looks misspelled for the sake of being quirky.

Go with Sofia, perhaps another flower name to match?
Sofia-Lily
Sofia-Iris
Sofia-Ivy
Sofia-Daisy

Or her birth month
Sofia-April

Pemba · 22/03/2023 17:42

It's her sister who has Ella-Rose (DD1). . So the little girls would be cousins. But I agree the names are too similar anyway.

HarrietStyles · 22/03/2023 17:59

Elsie and Sofia are both beautiful names. I would recommend she drop the hyphen and just pick a middle name that she likes. She can still call the child both names. I’m sorry to sound like a total snob but the hyphenated names are just so chavvy. Sorry- I’m ready to be shot down here, but I’m just being honest!

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/03/2023 18:08

I agree that Elsie and Sofia are both lovely names but the hyphens really ruin it!!! If she absolutely wants a hyphenated name, then don't do Mae/May or Lee/Leigh, it's so common and will take away the loveliness of two great names.

My vote would be for Sofia, as Elsie is similar to her cousin Ella which could confuse things a little. Sofia hyphen something would be better than Elsie hyphen something although I really do think the hyphen is unnecessary.

DuchessOfSausage · 22/03/2023 18:15

@Papergirl1968 , as pp Sofia-Leigh is too close to So Feely - say it quickly, which you will because it's long. Ella-Rose to me sounds like Hell Arose, sorry.

Amadeaa · 22/03/2023 18:23

I would use Sofia with a one-syllable name, otherwise it’s quite a mouthful. From the suggestions you got already, I think Sofia Grace is nice, and Sofia Pearl. I also like Elsie.

Terribleactor · 22/03/2023 19:51

I was thinking Sophia Belle. I'm not a hyphen fan but each to their own!

BasketFlowers · 22/03/2023 19:54

Sofia Elizabeth

Eliza Kate was a good suggestion.

Or Elsie Katherine

TennisWithDeborah · 22/03/2023 20:04

I think that both Elsie and Sofia are gorgeous names. Not much help, I know!

I fully agree with everyone who advises dropping the hyphen.

I’m with your daughter on the spelling of Lee/Leigh! I think that Lee is stylish, it reminds me of Lee Radziwill, the sister of Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

Viviennemary · 22/03/2023 20:07

Not Mae. Too many Sofias. I think Elsie is nice but not with Mae.

dammiejodger · 22/03/2023 20:08

Drop the hyphen!

HVPRN · 22/03/2023 20:11

Rea-Sofia 🧘🏼‍♀️

sanityisamyth · 22/03/2023 20:11

Why does it need to be hyphenated?

offyoufuckcuntychops · 22/03/2023 20:15

Please don't let her hyphenate her daughter's name. She will be condemning the child to an entire lifetime of having to over-compensate for her chavvy name. Just don't do it.

Elsie and Sophia (I prefer that to Sofia) are both fine on their own.

watcherintherye · 22/03/2023 20:18

Not a fan of hyphens. Or Mae.
How about Elsie May or Sofia May?

gonnabeok · 22/03/2023 20:19

My dd is Sophia Holly and she loves it

AnyBenny · 22/03/2023 20:25

Definitely omit the hyphen - mainly because it gives the child maximum flexibility in the future to choose if she uses both names or not.
Like it or not, there is a lot of judgment over hyphenated names (see this thread for a start!) and if the baby decides she’d like to use either name alone in the future, for whatever reason, omitting the hyphen allows her to do so. I prefer May to Mae but otherwise like both Sofia and Elsie (sorry, not helpful!).

MashedUpPotatoes · 22/03/2023 20:26

I have an Elsie, her middle name is Vanessa after DHs sister.

I think Sofia sounds nicer with a jean/Jane/Joan type one syllable slightly plainer middle name

riotlady · 22/03/2023 20:29

Sofia Elizabeth
Sofia Grace
Sofia Arden
Sofia Ivy

Reinventinganna · 22/03/2023 20:29

Sophia Elsie.

whattodo2019 · 22/03/2023 20:30

Really don't like hyphenated names. They just sound
tacky...

Suzi888 · 22/03/2023 20:32

I love Sofia, I am not at all keen on Elsie though.

Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 20:33

Elsie is a lovely name. Actually Elsie

Eranzer · 22/03/2023 20:38

Elsie Sofia Surname. What's up with that? Lovely.

Agree with everyone else, hyphen Mae is grim.

Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 20:39

Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 20:33

Elsie is a lovely name. Actually Elsie

Actually Elsie Mae would be lovely, without a hyphen if Mae was not so common. The hyphenated thing, and the use of Mae in general is so overdone that it is looked down on.

Your daughter and grand daughter do not need judgement. There are those who will already be judgy about your daughter's age. It is wrong I know, but will happen nevertheless.

People are also judgy about names. So discourage one that will have people look down on your lovely girls.