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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

We like biblical names. Miriam or Esther?

40 replies

sadiemcgrady · 17/06/2009 10:15

Boy will probably be Peter.

For a girl we quite like Miriam and Esther. I am all in favour of giving straightforward traditional names and deliberately steer clear of 'popular' names, but are those two just too uncommon? I don't know anyone IRL called either of them.

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sleepychunky · 17/06/2009 10:22

Love both those names and I know quite a few little Miriams and Esthers.
Esther one of my faves for next baby if it's a girl.
Go for it!

mollyroger · 17/06/2009 10:24

i love esther. (I know a RL esther and a hester, think both are really pretty and unusual)

tummytickler · 17/06/2009 11:29

I love Miriam (we would coinsider it for dc5). Esther is OK too.
I dont know any children of either but know a grown woman with each name.
Love Peter too, my ds Amos has this for one of his middle names.

Scorpette · 17/06/2009 11:32

My name is Esther and I have always thought it was the coolest name ever and I'm always getting people saying 'Ooh, that's a lovely name' when they first meet me, so I would say go for it. It's uncommon, but not weird and everyone's heard of it, so don't worry about that. BUT please be prepared for the fact that virtually no-one seems to be able to spell it! It's not just people missing the H out by spelling it Ester, a huge proportion of people spell it Esta, Estha, Esster and even Easter! Just today I got a letter addressed to Eastha (Surname) - despite me having spelt my name out for them over the phone. Guess it's the price you pay for having the best name ever

TwoSunnyDays · 17/06/2009 12:42

Cant go wrong with either, both great names!

sporadicname · 17/06/2009 12:52

I love Esther.

Sesi · 17/06/2009 12:53

I prefer Esther, it's more elegant than Miriam. Which is still nice but maybe a bit homely?

IRL I know one of each, with Miriam being shortened to Mim as a nn.

jeanjeannie · 17/06/2009 12:54

Love Esther - great name

NorthernLurker · 17/06/2009 12:55

Actually in 'church' circles they are both quite usual. I know several of both.

Dorcas is less common - or Eve?

belgo · 17/06/2009 12:57

Esther is a beautiful name.

chaya5738 · 17/06/2009 12:58

I love Miriam. And "Miri" as a nickname is very sweet.

I don't like Esther so much largely because Madonna chose it as her "Hebrew name." Silly, i know.

CravingOlives · 17/06/2009 13:17

I know two baby Esthers, both of whom really suit their name. I don't know any Miriams. I like them both to be honest, although I think E slightly has the edge.

troutpout · 17/06/2009 13:33

I know one of each
both lovely names

pranma · 17/06/2009 13:50

I love Miriam-both gentle and elegant
I also like Naomi and Ruth

Wheelybug · 17/06/2009 13:55

love esther - dd2 would have been esther had I not had a slight lisp.

mrswoolf · 17/06/2009 13:56

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AtheneNoctua · 17/06/2009 13:57

Esther

EachPeachPearMum · 17/06/2009 14:22

If you have to do biblical, then Miriam is quite the nicest you could choose- its lovely.

Bounty2009 · 17/06/2009 14:27

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sadiemcgrady · 17/06/2009 14:31

Oh I love Naomi, but DH not keen. He likes Ruth but I don't!

Thanks for the positive comments on both names. Difficult choice!

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AtheneNoctua · 17/06/2009 15:14

There are sooooo many names from the bible. Surely there is something you both like.

Miriam always makes me think stoppard.

I'm biased on Esther because it was my grandmother's name and she was a remarkable for woman.

missmem · 17/06/2009 15:45

Other biblical girls names that are not as obvious:

Tabitha
Lydia
Anna
Priscilla

jellybeans · 17/06/2009 18:36

Esther is lovely.

hoping4thebest · 17/06/2009 20:05

I like both as complete names and shortened versions.
Mim and Miri for Miriam and Ettie for Esther.

Missmem- my dd is Anna. It means gracious and I love it.

janeite · 17/06/2009 20:14

I like Esther, which I think is really pretty. I LOVE Hester.

Miriam feels a bit harder sounding to me.

I like Naomi and I like Ruth too but prefer it as a middle name.