Is this ok? Nell/Ellen

[Iloveautumn]

Having had two boys we are now shocked to find we are expecting a girl and are majorly stuck on a name.

The only one we both like is Ellen with Nell as a nickname but v annoying SIL has pronounced Nell horribly old-fashioned and declared she would not use it...

Is this name ok or am I just hormonal?

TIA

I absolutely love Nell - think it is a goregous name.

I love Ellen and love the nickname Nell or Nellie.

Ellen is pretty and underused. It is simple and classic. You are not being hormonal at all.

Why or why do people insist on commenting on the names you choose? Seriously, why? It just upsets people and achieves nothing. Even if they don't like it, they should keep their mouths shut.

This is why I am not telling people our chosen name (well apart from online here at mumsnet) because I don't want people's negative reactions affecting my decision.

Go for it, it really is lovely. And I am very fussy with baby names!!

I love Nell too. Stuff SIL.

I like Nell too, although it does remind me of that Jodie Foster movie of the shrieking woman.

Do not tell friends and family about the names you are considering. They will think you care about their opinions and offer them freely. Picking a name is hard enough without trying to do it by committee.

Yay!!
Thank you so much I was rather nervous in case everyone else hates it!

We both really love Nell so I could've slapped SIL!

It has put me off telling anyone else, think I might hold off for a while.

Oooh I love Nell, if we ever have a DD she will be Nell!!

How insensitive of her. I have learnt my lesson after telling my dad some of my boy's names and he pulled a face. So i am keeping my mouth shut. I love my Dad but he is not great with tact. My lovely Mum on the other hand thinks every name I have suggested is wonderful! She just is so excited to be having her first grandchild and couldn't care what I called it.

If you SIL doesn't like Ellen/Nell then good - she doesn't have to use it. Stuff her I say!!!

Lovely names. I love Nell as a nickname. SIL is obviously lacking in taste so ignore

I have an Ellen. It's a fab name.

Nell is lovely, if you both like it then to hell with what your SIL thinks.

I didn't like my nephew's name until he came along and then I realised it suited him perfectly.

Thanks all, I'm so happy to get some reassurance on this. I know Nell is probably a bit old-fashioned to some people and was worried this would be a common reaction.

tbh SIL is possibly/probably the most annoying person in the world and we could not be more different so I should probably be relieved she doesn't like it!

I think what annoyed me most was her declaring she would not use the name we have chosen for OUR child. Believe me I will have that out with her later on!

I like both Nell and Ellen. I wanted our Eleanor to be shortened to Nell but no-one does

I think Ellen and Nell are very nice. Ignore your SIL. One person's old fashioned is another person's classic.

(Avoid Nellie though - elephant associations...)

Nell's lovely and I'm hoping to use it as a nn for DD-to-be, due in 5 weeks, as her full name is a common longer version of Nell.

SIL can go whistle. If she doesn't want to use the nn, she doesn't have to!! What a drama queen, expecting her refusal to be enough to veto it for you!

Cardinal rule - don't tell anyone else your likely names, and go with what you want and like.

Nell's pretty.

I love both names. Someone I used to work with changed their original name to Nell cos they liked it so much!

I have an Ellen she is named after my Gradmother whose nickname was Nellie. I personally don't overly like Nellie but I know a few children who are Nell. It is comeing back into fashion.

Your SIL can call her Ellen then.

Both lovely names.

Announce the name after baby is born.

Ellen is a great name, and Nell a nice nickname. My pink bump due in 4 weeks will have Ellen as her middle name.
Tell your sister in law to mind her own business. It's nothing to do with her. I haven't told any of my family our baby's name because I don't want to invite comment or them try to be pushy.
Hope all goes well.

My favourite auntie was Ellen but was always known as Auntie Nell. Lovely names.

Absolutely LOVE Nell - sod off Sil. Prefer Helena as a long name, but Ellen nice too.

Thanks all, am now set on Nell/Ellen.

SIL round today and asked what names we're thinking of now. I gave her a hard look and said we love Nell/Ellen and will probably be using it.
She didn't say anything but asked a couple of times if we were likely to change our minds!

Its a gorgeous name and nn. Stuff your SIL.

My DD has Ellen as a middle name. Love it (of course!)

Gorgeous names, stick to your guns , I know a Nellie and a Nell so I think they names are coming back.