Need Feedback on a Name

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-2004
Need Feedback on a Name
18
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 12:56pm
Years ago, before I was even married, I decided that when I had a daughter, I was going to name her Lucy Eleanor. My dad's mother's name was Lucy and my mom's mother's name is Eleanor. I was always close to Lucy growing up, since she lived close by and now that I'm older, I've gotten closer with Eleanor.

When my husband & I got married, we talked about the future and kids and what we wanted to name kids. He said that he had no problems with Lucy Eleanor for a daughter's name. We found out not too long ago that we are having a baby. I obviously still like Lucy Eleanor if it's a girl, and so does he.

The problem is our moms. My mother, even though we talked about it in the past and she said that it's a nice way to honor them both, now says that the name is "too old sounding." And my mother-in-law has outright said that she hates it and that she'll be after us the whole pregnancy to change our minds.

Is Lucy Eleanor way too old sounding of a name? (I keep thinking that Lucy has come back to popularity with the character on 7th Heaven...) So far no one has complaints with the boy name we picked out, at least: Nicholas Samuel.

Di

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 1:01pm

A lot of names being used now are "old sounding".

becky, max and greta
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 1:28pm
Lucy is a very cute name, I prefer Lucinda though, with Lucy as a nn. And, one of my closest friends is Eleanor, nn Elly. I think if you and your dh like Lucy Eleanor you should stick with it! Here are a couple similar suggestions though.

Lucinda Ellen

Lucia Eileen

Ellie Lucille

Ella Lucile

Lucy Leanora

Lucinda Elle

Lucie Nora

Ali

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2004
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 3:45pm
I love Lucy Eleanor! Not old sounding at all. In fact, a lot of these "old" names are making a huge comeback (thank goodness). I think your choice has much more class than some other names out there, and it holds a special significance to you. I know of 4 Lucys under the age of 10 as well as a 2 yr old Eleanor and a 14mo. Eleanor. Actually the name Ella (which is a common nn for Eleanor) was ranked #44 in popularity in the US in 2003. Maybe your family isn't as aware of the fact that those names are popular again. Either way, you should use the name. It's your child after all. Both mom and MIL had there chance to name you and your DH. Now it's their turn to step aside. GO for it, and next time they ask what your choices are tell them that they will have to find out when the baby is born ;)

Good Luck!!

Jorie

Lilypie Baby Birthday
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 4:52pm
I love seeing the evolution of names. My great-grandmother was Ella. My sister (born in 1961) is named for her. My parents would never have named the baby Ella, because it was an old lady's name. They also thought it sound to "old country." My grandmother wanted to name her Eleanor, but once again my parents refused because they just couldn't imagine a baby named Eleanor. So my sister is named Ellen.

Now I know many young Ellas and Eleanors, but only one Ellen.

I like Lucy Eleanor. I do like Lucinda better though. But go with Lucy if that's what you like best.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 5:23pm
I think it's OK--a lot of old time names are coming back...You also have some nn possibilties too if she doesn't like her name in the future--Ella, Nora, Luci, Elin,. I wouldn't take too much stock in what others say either--we were told our ds's name (Jacob) was too oldfashioned and too biblical and it's consistantly been ranked in the top ten for years...GL!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2004
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 5:59pm
Beautiful name you've got picked out there. I'd stick with it. Tell all busybodies concerned to kindly keep their opinions to themselves. My daughters are beautiful, and I didn't want any popular names for them. So, the first daughter I named Sarah Mason. I thought Sarah was a beautiful old name nobody ever used, and Mason was a name you hardly ever heard on a girl. Shocker of all shockers, Sarah was the most popular girl name of 1997, the year she was born. My second daughter I named after my grandmother, who passed on shortly before Sarah's birth (her name was already set in stone when grandmother passed). Lily Margaret was hotly contested by the in-laws, but I stuck to my guns and Lily Margaret she stayed. It's a beautiful name that fits her perfectly.

I now have a new husband, new in-laws (thank God!), and a new baby on the way. His name will be James Christopher; James after his dad and Christopher because we both liked it. If Christopher had been a girl, her name would have been Geneva Rose (Ginny for short), after his grandmother. We see it this way. The only people who have a right to lament the names we give our children will be our children. Then we might consider renegotiating! But until then, the names (all three) stay!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 7:10pm
Hello. I think it's quite common for our parents to think these "grandma adn grandpa" names coming back into fashion are too old-fashioned. That's just because those were their parents and grandparents names so they only associate them with older people. We don't want to name our kids our parents names either (unless they're classics)........and when our kids start picking Connie and Frank (my parents' names) I'll be wrinkling my nose too! Actually, I quite like Frank. Anyway, I love Lucy Eleanor. Those are two of my favorites and they sound great together. Tell the old folks you're not set on anything yet the next time they ask..........or make up a few..........try Mildred Divine on them! Then, when she comes, they'll be relieved to see she's Lucy Eleanor! Also, as some other posters pointed out the last time someone was in a similar dilemma, they're more likely to talk down about the name when they still think they can change your mind, but once the baby's named, they're less likely to say too much (that would be very rude).
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2004
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 7:24pm
Lucy Eleanor is a beautiful name!
Avatar for alsatia23
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 10:10pm
Lucy Eleanor is lovely.






Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 11:03pm
I think Lucy Eleanor is beautiful.

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