Estella?

[IsItADream]

I posted a while ago asking for opinions on the name Flavia. Turns out my partner doesn't like it, nor any of the other 20ish names I suggested. So I made a new list and the only name he had a positive comment for was Estella. He actually said he had been thinking of Estella or Stella, but I immediately shot down Stella because I know my sister's immediate association will be the lager and I just can't get that out of my head.

What do people think of Estella? Still too close to Stella or does the extra E help?

My immediate thought was Great Expectations.

I like it but much prefer Estelle. Sounds more chic.

I really like it. I don't think the Great Expectations link is a bad thing. I prefer Stella (If I were having a DD right now she would be Stella), but that's because I like my names less frilly. What's most important is that you and your DH both like it.

Why is it bad to be associated with Great Expectations?

but Stella is an awful name

Elena?

Not bad to be associated with Great Expectations per se, but the character of Estella isn't exactly a positive association!

I love it

Prefer Stella

Nah

It’s like Julia / Julie or Camilla / Camille

The Latin version always sounds better in English. Estelle sounds like a time travelling barmaid from the 50s

Francesca
Louisa

I used to work with a (German) Janina. None of my German colleagues ever managed to remember that it wasn't pronounced Yanina.
And either way Estelle doesn't sound right with my partner's very German last name.

But Janina IS pronounced Yanina in German!

Janine and Estelle are French and therefore pronounced Janin and Estell even in Germany.

Yes, but this Janina was pronounced Zhanina - it's her name so she should know how to pronounce it!

Estella is lovely

Love it as well as Estelle. Esti/Esty/Estie as a nn for a baby perhaps? Think that’s John Legend’s daughter’s name.

My DH was very quick to dismiss names but not very food at making suggestions.

Which names are on the list that he’s made?

I like both Stella and Estella. Prefer Stella. I don't see a problem with lager or Dickens.

Alternatives maybe Sibylla or Vita.

Another one here that it just reminds of Estrella!

I’m the opposite: I really, really don’t like Stella.

I don’t know why but to me it conjures an old woman being thrown out of the pub at closing time. Probably the beer link.

Estella is more of a Dickensian association for me and a bit more romantic. The E does a lot to soften the sound of it too.

But on the whole I’m not that keen on the meaning ⭐️ : a bit diva-ish to me.

Much prefer Stella. Weirdly I link Estella more to the beer brand Estrella than I associate the girls name Stella with Stella Artois.

Yes I’m afraid I think Stella is an awful name.

Stell -aaAAH! It’s got a horrible shrill/ harsh sound.

Estelle just sounds better with a 4 syllables surname than Estella. You could call her Ella or Ellie for short.

It also has the benefit of shaking off the “stellar” association somewhat.

And Essie is also quite sweet for short, though I think traditionally it is short for Esmeralda.

Are you German?
Estella is lovely I think.

STELLA!!! STELLA!!! Can't you hear me yell-a? You're puttin' me through Hell-a? Stella, STELLA!!!!