I think this name is far too old-fashioned, should I tell my friend?

[onthepier]

A friend of mine who is due to have a little girl in the next week or so is almost decided on the name "Eileen". I think it's just so old-fashioned for a little girl, poss because two of my nan's friends are called this!

A couple of other friends don't like it but we don't know whether to say anything to this lady, suggesting she changes her mind. I know "each to their own" and all that, but I just can't imagine a tiny baby or child called Eileen! What do you all think?

Several months back she came up with Hannah and Lauren, both far better in my opinion!

Agreed it it's a horrible name but they obviously like it and unless they ask for your genuine opnion, I don't think you should say anything.

That's interesting BloodRedTulips. In Dublin would be the younger sister of an Ava or a Clara or a Flora.... I never knew it had all these negative associations.

I had three great-aunts. One of their names has come back with a bang (Ivy), another one I've seen mentioned approvingly on here (Hilda) and Eileen's the other... so I reckon Eileen is probably due for a renaissance following all those baby Alfreds and Rubys.

I don't know why you say that sophiesmummie-if you read baby name threads you would know that names such as Ivy, Pearl and Elsie (all far worse IMO)are popular.

piscesmoon, I can't believe that the OP is seriously considering telling her good friend that she shouldn't call her daughter a name she loves (Eileen), just because she happens to find it 'old fashioned'.

Friends should be supportive of each other and, unless a name is ridiculous or has seriously negative connotations, we should accept each others' different tastes/styles. Her friend obviously loves the name Eileen - nothing wrong with her loving that name - its her baby, her choice!

Sorry sophiesmummie-completely misunderstood! I agree with you.

It is just that when people say they love a name like Freda or Winifred, I wonder if they are serious or a wind up!

The OP did say her friend has been asking for opinions about names, and that her reaction was to be non committal, so no need for quite such a pasting really.

pinkx4 go for Margaret. Hope is pretty recent in popularity, but Pearl is more old fashioned than Margaret (Pearl peaked in popularity in 1890, and Margaret in 1910). Plus it has loads of diminutives: Maggie, Madge, Marge, Meg, Megan, Rita, Daisy, Greta, Gretchen, Magee, Marg, Meggie and Peggy. Always nice to have lots of choice with a name I think.

Crumbs, I'm just home from work and I can't believe how my thread has kicked off! I do need to say again though, as I mentioned earlier in the thread that my friend actually ASKED me for an honest opinion, and said "Please be honest!" She didn't ask me if I thought the name was old fashioned, she just asked whether I thought it was a good choice in this day and age!

If she hadn't asked for an opinion and just told me the name, I wouldn't have considered saying anything but as I've heard less than positive comments from other people she's told, I almost feel I owe it to her to be honest, iyswim!

ah, so she's really not too sure about it anyway? In that case I think you can be honest but in a very kind manner...

Haven't read the whole thread (110 posts??!!) but my 'little sister' (she's now 30) is called Eileen. It was my Dad's Mum's name (she died when Dad was 16).

Hmmm, I don't think she loves the name, but she is always had it (obviously). We grew up not seeing it as a big deal, she's 5 years younger than me, so was 'baby Eileen' for a long time.

We do joke about it being an old ladies name. her aswell, but we just laugh about it. My Sister is very cool and can carry it off. She's actually known as 'Ei' by me and her husband and her close friends. My girls know her as 'Aunty Ei' which I think is quite cool actually.

She has had a few occasions where she has for example started a new job and everyone has been suprised when she turned up cos they were expecting a 60 year old!!!!!!

I think you have to choose your words carefully. If it was me, I'd say something like, 'Well it's not a name I'd choose but you know I like simple names (or whatever). It does make me think of old ladies but then old fashioned names are quite fashionable aren't they?' Which gets the message across but doesn't say no you don't like the name - if she goes with it you don't want her holding a grudge. Keep it light hearted.

nothing wrong with the name Eileen, I've heard far worse than that!!

I like it

there is an Ei on here isn't there who signs every post.

It means egg in German which puts me off a little, but still...

I might say something if she was having a boy and intended to call him Roger, but then again, it wouldn't really be my place.

Eileen is ok. Many people are using old fashioned names for boys, like Charles, George and William, so why not for girls. Much nicer than the fashion for calling girls something like Beyonce or Shanika or the like.

It's my name in RL! I love having an unusual name and have got used to everyone saying 'My Nan's called that' or singing the Dexy's Midnight Runners song at me (I hated that song as a kid but as a teenager my friends would always request it at discos etc which I thought was cool!) By the time she is 20 most of the older people with name will sadly have passed away and it will just be a unique, funky name.

But to answer your question, keep your nose out! If your friend likes it, let her choose it.

Some quite strong opinions here for you, I take the point that your friend actually asked you for an honest opinion.

Do what you think is the right thing to do based on the closeness of your friendship and whether you're normally this frank with each other.

Good luck x

Come on Eileen!!

pinx i love pearl and hope, i think they are quaint rather than old fashioned, have lovely connotations, and are unusual too. All good things in my opinion! I also like the name eileen. Its none of the original posters business if she doesnt like it, its not her baby. much prefer original names than the ones in vogue, or even recently in vogue from the 80s and 90s, too many of them around.

I mentioned what we were thinking of calling our baby if its a boy to friends of my husband's on sunday and the girl immediately said 'seriously, are you mad! do you want the child bullied!'. I dont think she meant it so I didnt react, but I thought it was inconsiderate. you dont know why people choose names either... could be after a granny/grandad, or other link you dont know about. In our case it was after my husbands brother who died 2 years ago, and its a lovely name (Donagh) so I thought she was a bit thick to comment. she can shove it anyway, I like it.

Sorry OP, just read your latest post. If she asked for your honest opinion then do give it. Sounds like she's having 2nd thoughts anyway.

My older sister nit picked at all the names i was thinkin of for my 1st baby and i was not happy about it. At the end of the day wud u think it better for her baby to have the same name as 9 other girls n her class and hav to be called by her full name her entire educated life... And im irish so i like the name Eileen cause its still around for all ages here...

Do you think by the time babies born this year are grown up "Come on Eileen" will mean anything at all to them or their friends? Doubt it.

My Mum is called Eileen and my daughter has it as her middle name... much nicer than Elsie!

It's quite trendy here in Barcelona.

It's considered "exotic"