Elise - alternatives?

[Kathleen123]

Hello all

Firt child due, and we are choosing names.

We have chosen names for a boy (traditional family names of either William or Matthew - will decide when we meet him).

However girls name is entirely different, and we'd like a more unusual name. I wanted to call our daughter Eleanor Mae (Ella to her friends). However my hubbie reminded me that his cousin's daughter is Eleanor and apparently she goes by Ella, and so he doesnt want either.

I have considered having one first name and hyphenating it - Ella-Louise? (perhaps too long)

Or alternatively I think Evelyn is beautiful, and could be shortened to Evie or Eve.

The other name I love is Elise. However my paternal grandmother is called Elsie, my mum has had a very difficult relationship with Elsie, and I suspect the name Elise would upset my mum (my nan is the sort of person who would assume we've named her first great-grandchild after her and gloat to my mother).

So does anyone have a name similar to Elise, but an alternative spelling. I was considering Eilise??

Thanks all,

Kate

I know two Ericas, spelt differently - one of which I know for sure has never been called Eric, the other I don't know. It's a very strong name but I'm not sure that I like it - but what I think doesn't matter, it's what you think of it that matters!

I rather like Erica. It isn't as feminine as some of the others, but I do like it

I prefer Marianne though

What about Elsa?

Evelina is nice though...

We have a beautiful 10 year old DD called Annelise.

If you love the name Elise you could name her Annelise on her birth certificate and call her Elise for short.

I love Annelise (pron. anna-leese).

Please avoid Eva/Evie or any variant... My son starts reception in Sept and there are two Eva's and an Evie in his class of 20. (Also an Eleanor, an Amelie and an Eloise.)

Ailsa, Alyssa, Elin, Eveline, Elodie, Iona...

Go for Marianne it's lovely .

For Welsh names in the Clare/Sarah vein, what about Elaine

How about Alice. Similar sort of name and not very popular.

Thanks all.

I love Elaine (NN Lainy) but its my SILs name.

Elsa (too close to Elsie), Evelina I love but hubbie thinks its a 'poncey name'.

Hubbie doesnt want a name that's too fashionable and may date quickly. He's pointed out to me that names like Gordon, Sidney, Edna, Linda - all very fashionable in their day have dated much quicker than the traditional names such as William, Tom, Elizabeth and Katherine.

I love Alice, and this is going to sound petty, but I went to school with a girl called Alice, and didnt like her at all. This has therefore put me off the name completely. I know very immature of me.

Re Erin - I liked it earlier, but we have no connection to Ireland (although this didnt stop my parents in giving me an Irish name), and when I've said with our surname its too harsh sounding.

Narrowed it down to:

Marianne (Mari)
Maia
Erica
Iona (thanks for this suggestion cityangel).

I think I'll give the list to my hubbie, and see which he prefers. So exciting.

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

I think its so important to get the name of the child right.

Thanks all.

Kate

What about Elysia? I think this is a beautiful name. It may not be the best choice if you would like a name that is easy to pronounce though. This was the only thing that put me off it for DC1 (who turned out to be a boy anyway)