I love the name everyone else hates..

[duffy7]

I love love the name Esther. But I’ve been told it’s a grandma name and it sounds horrible. I have loved this name for years and it’s honestly so crushing to hear but I need honest opinions, is the name Esther bad?

It seems dowdy to people cos they associate it with old people but no one is gonna look at your gorgeous baby and think she's dowdy, or at your lively toddler or your voracious teen and think that.
Never discuss names. If I didn't, I might well have a name i still love . I'll always be a little bitter

It’s a very steady and popular name and has been steadily and consistently so for three decades. It’s not a grandma name or a new riser. I’ve never known anyone struggle to spell it. I know several and because it’s been so consistently popular for so long it’s basically impossible to guess an age if you see it on a form. Could be adult could be baby.

I find it unusual that anyone would object to it.

Elderly relative of mine was an Esther, she who would probably be over 100 if she was still here. She was known as Tet or Tetty. My late 20th century teenage self would have found this an embarrassing name to have, but names from that generation are fashionable now. I like it.

It's a beautiful strong name. ( I don't like Hester, that feels old fashioned to me!) Look up the biblical story of how she saved her people.

It’s gorgeous ❤️

I like it! It's one of the older names making a bit of a comeback like Ivy, Iris, Agnes etc imho. Also nice as it doesn't really shorten (if you're worried about that) so she'll tend to get called the full name.

Funnily enough we had a Hester at school. Started off as a name people laughed about, but she made her own story and by the end of school she was a cool person who played in a band. Very 80s style.

I have a teenage Esther! I think it's the most beautiful name. I am still so so happy I chose it for her. She really likes her name too 😍
Her friends sometimes call her Ezz which I am less keen on...
When she was little she loved the bible story about Queen Esther - beautiful brave and strong

Hester sounds like a big bruiser of a farmer 😂, sorry

I think it's a beautiful name with wonderful provenance.
However, It is completely irrelevant what I or anyone else, whether that be strangers on the internet or family and friends, think of your putative name.
My top baby-naming tip is to never consult anyone about your name choices. Someone will object to any name suggestion, no matter how innocuous, usually for entirely personal, arbitrary and often irrational reasons, so seeking advice is futile.
The best course of action is to only reveal your name choice once baby has arrived and the name is a fait accomplis. At this point, most people are too polite to do anything but compliment the name. Mention the subject while you are undecided and everyone will stick their oar in. The name of your baby should purely be your and your partner's business. Wishing you all the best!

I like it! Hester was my granny's middle name but I think I prefer Esther.

Just don't put it as a middle name with Polly as a first name!

Oh I love it. Sexiest girl I have ever met was called Esther. She was a dancer.

It's one of my favourite would-have-used-if-I'd-had-another-girl names. Esther or Juliet.

@duffy7 It’s perfectly normal. You have odd friends! They might associate it with Esther Rantzen but it’s certainly used for babies.

I think it's in the same category as Bertha so wouldn't return. There are many other Old Testament names to use. What about Salome?

It’s beautiful, although I would probably only use it for a Jewish baby.

My daughter's best friend is called Esther I think it's a lovely name.

People might think it's old fashioned now, but it will soon just be 'her name'

I had an aunt Poppy (born 1921). Poppy was the dowdiest, most old fashioned name you could think of when I was growing up and nobody would have used it for their daughter, amid all the Susan, Karen, Deborah and Carolines that were then popular. But then Poppy got popular and I had a few times thinking 'oh, that's a dated name!' then got used to it and now I think it's a lovely (if getting sightly dated again) name.

I love it

@timoteigirl the Salome who famously asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter?
I think there's a reason it's a less popular name. Esther is not restricted to Jewish families either, anyone can use a name from the Bible and many do without any Jewish or Christian connection. It's probably a good idea to look up the story associated with the name though, otherwise you might be surprised by people's reactions.

I think its a lovely and classic name. Slightly biased as I know one who is absolutely lovely.

I think it's lovely, and it's not like it's weird or uncommon.

Esther is lovely.

I like it actually! Though the only Esther’s I know are from the film orphan and the OW when my grandmother was cheated on 😂

also like Stella which has the same vibe I think

I have a lovely 4 year old Esther in my class, it's a lovely name.