Ethel

[tummytickler]

What do you think of Ethel?
I am loving it more and more at the moment - dh is besotted by it (and Morag!). Would love some opinions, as we will not be talking to people in rl about our name making choices!
I am loving Ettie as a nn (and Raggy for Morag!). We would probably use Ethel most of the time and not a nn though.
Middle names will be two from Denise, Violet, Mary, Jean, Eileen, Angela (all family).
Is it going to become huge like Edith/Elsie/Esme?
This is dc5, and my 2dd's have old names and ds's Hebrew (so very old!)

Thanks

I don't particularly like Ethel, but I know an adorable Esther who is called Essie as a nn.

I like Iris, it's really pretty and makes me think of Iris Murdoch, a most gifted and successful author. I think Ethel is really pretty, but also agree that Enid is more tasteful.

I like Ethel but not Morag.

love Ethel

If you are going for the hippy vibe what about Ethereal abd then Ethel for short

'I don't know though, if you can take as gospel the experience of a woman of 92 who is called Ethel. Did she hate it because it was so popular? '

Was it very popular even then? Her sisters had much prettier names, Ruth, Clara and Lillian and so probably she was just jealous!

Ruth, Clara, Lily and Eth-I can see her point!

William Brown's sister in the Just William books was an Ethel, IIRC she was about 19 and very glamourous and grown-up, with bobbed hair (1920s.

I like Ethel!

It would sooo have suited DD, but her Dad said no.

I think we're in the minority though.

Ethel is rather sweet but it's so sort of frail sounding. I like Edith a lot better and Edie is a very sweet nickname.

Don't like Ethel, makes me think of witches but I don't really know why.

Prefer Esther

Prefer Estelle.

Good luck ttc.

"William Brown's sister in the Just William books was an Ethel, IIRC she was about 19 and very glamourous and grown-up, with bobbed hair (1920s)."

This is very true, but she is the exception that proves the rule.

Ruth and Rachel have 'th' and 'el' sounds if that's the general direction you're going in.

And Elizabeth has the same letters in a different combination.

I knew a Morag in school who absolutely hated her name.

The different combination in Elizabeth turns it into a pretty, classic name. Iknow someone who had Morag as a second name and she tried to keep it a dark secret!

I dislike the old lady names, but Ethel/Ettie is ok. But whatever you do don't use Denise. Ghastly, vile name (and one of my own, so I'm allowed to say so!).

Ah - I dont like Denise, but it is my mothers name, and as dd has mil name as a mn, I really ought to do the same for my Mum!

Morag Mary Denise
Ethel Violet Denise

something like that!

Last night we talked about Dalia and Daphna/Daphne. These any better? we prefer the Dalia spelling to Dahlia because it is the Hebrew spelling, so fitting with ds's!

My great aunt was an Ethel and was known as Effie. I like Effie as a name in itself even if it isn't a proper name.

GD my daughter is called Effy (as her name not as a shortened version of something else).

I really cannot see either Ethel or Morag making a comeback but if you love it, go for it

Ethel reminds me of Eastenders and Morag of the Katie Morag books. Actually how about Katie Morag? That's not tooooooo bad.

Mabel and Elsie are cuter though

Ah just read this is for an unyet conceived baby. Really wouldn't be worrying too much just now, you'll go off it by the time baby is here (if it's even a girl)

I don't like any of the old lady names, poor kid would be made fun of.

Even the actual old lady Ethels I know have all hated the name, which would give me pause. Morag I can see working.

If you and your hus like the name Ethel then that is what matters

Personally, I think there are many more attractive sounding older style names out there- tbh Ethel does conjure up images of old ladies in mothball smelling fox fur coats!!