Torn between Elsie and Elektra for our baby girl

[BrightLemonQuail]

First time parents, Two very different names but these are our top two and I feel so torn. Elsie feels very cutesy and girly, Elektra feels bold. Sounds silly but it feels like a decision that will have a huge bearing on who she becomes. Elsie is a family name but worried it is very popular. Elektra i just worry could be too bold. Also if it was Elektra I envision it with a ‘k’ not a ‘c’ but is that also too bold?

What about compromises such as Eleanor, Ellen, Helena, Ella.

What about Isolde? It's mythic and epic, and it has similar sounds to Elsie, but isn't quite as freighted with Freudian dysfunction as Electra.

Well, Elektra with a k is a comic book assassin but quite an obscure one.

Elektra sounds too much like a stage name-not a fan. What about something which is a middle ground between that and Elsie, like Elara or Elodie.

I read it an Elsa (not Elsie) and elektra and immediately thought of a Disney character and a marvel character. I realised then it was Elsie and thought of Elsie tanner from coronation street! I’m quite old though!

Elsie is so popular. And it’s one of those that always gets tagged with Rose/May/Grace. She’ll just be yet another Elsie.

How about Elise?

If you are in England then maybe Elspeth and shortened to Elsie
(I know the English love to shorten a name anyway)

Why bother to have one name shortened to another?

Definitely not Elektra!

Elsie is sweet, but very popular. You could go for Elizabeth/Elisabeth/Elsbeth with Elsie for short. Alternatively, Elisa, Eliza and Elise are nice, as is Eletta.

@intrepidpanda

you can’t guarantee how a name will be shortened just like you can’t dictate nicknames. Just call the child what you want her to be known as - simple.

Electra

Sorry, Elsie is awful, Elektra is worse. I’d choose Elise, but if it really had to be one of yours then Elsie is better, at least it’s fairly common now.

Please don't call her Elektra

You could name her Elspeth and call her Elsie, that way she has a ‘proper name’ which is not common at all but can have the cutsie name as a nod to family tradition.

Not a fan of Elektra at all sorry, sounds a bit sleazy.

I don't like any of them but Electra/Elektra sounds like the name of a fridge or a Mother-Son complex and Elsie is really popular but I can't see why.
I'd be looking for other names.

Goodness they couldn't be anymore chalk and cheese. Elsie is cutesy and old fashioned where as Elektra/Electra (I know its Ancient Greek) seems more modern and has a harder sound. Maybe go for Elsa which is a more grown up name she can use as an adult but call her Elsie while small. For me Electra conjures up the image of a hard, ball-breaking business woman who wears dark power suits and all her employees are terrified of.

I'd go for Elizabeth and let a nn evolve if one is wanted.

Yes, this!

I like Elektra and think it's perfectly usable - it's not uncommon in Greece or in Italy (Elettra).

Elsie is very twee and old-lady-ish to my ears though I know it's on-trend.

Of the two, I would far prefer Elektra - and I like that spelling.

Elsa with Elsie as a nickname is lovely - so is Elspeth, Etta, Elana, Eliana, Eliza or Elise.

Elsie is too common and cutesy for me and I'm not a fan of Elektra for all the reasons others have given

This

Its’s likely they’ll both end up as Ellie.
I agree that neither Elsie or Elektra are great names, although DNiece is Eleanor nn Elsie. Elsie is a cute baby name, but despite a wave of them 18-20 years ago, still feels very diminutive for an adult.

Middle ground alternatives to consider:
Elise
Eloise
Heloise
Elsa (has Frozen madness settled down?)
Stella
Zelda
Zoe
Thea
Eleni
Penelope
Ember
Amber
Alina
Roxanna
Lucia

i thought of Elektra King the Bond villain! It’s a cool name but i wouldn’t be brave enough.

Electra just makes me think of a level English lit .. mourning becomes electra

Good grief, is that the best you can come up with

Elsie can be bold and gutsy!