Starting to get our list together - opinions please!

[sherberthesheep]

So far, we like -and agree on!

Ellen - clunky or pretty - can't decide?
Lilian - too old lady?
Emily - too popular
Megan - too popular again?

Much inspiration taken from this board! Please could you give me your honest opinions - anything that springs to mind - how they sound to you, popularity, are they timeless, nns etc- anything really.

Which out of our list so far would you go for and any other suggestions welcome.

[Gwennan]

You obviously like girls' names ending in N.

You might want to consider Alison, Ann, Anwen, Tegan, Carmen, Eden, Erin, Helen, Lauren, Vivian, Catherine, Gillian, Rowan, Susan, Jasmine, and Evelyn too.

They are all really popular if you factor in the fact Ellen is likely to be Ellie and Lilian is likely to be Lily.

I'd say that Megan peaked in the 1990s and while it is well-used, I think that fairly recent burst of popularity means it's not going to be seen as timeless - it's one of these names that perhaps comes in and out of fashion. I think it's still a decent choice and I like the nickname Meg.

I'd say Emily is most consistently popular name of the lot and so, for that reason, probably the most timeless. There are plenty of namesakes but, in spite of that, I do find it a little girlish. It's the kind of name you really want if you're a princess, girly girl but not the sort if you're a tomboy. Emma sounds fresher and I think it's more versatile and mature-sounding.

Lilian is in the vein of these old fashioned vintage names coming back into style. It's certainly a classic girls' name but I'm not sure if it's timeless. Since Lilys are everywhere, it's not one I'd pick - she'll just end up as Lily too. In any case, I'm never sure whether to spell it with 2 or 3 Ls (Lilian or Lillian).

Ellen is nice but lots of mums and dads are turning to it because they want an Ellie and Ella and Eleanor are a bit overdone. In my opinion, Helen or Helena would be a better pick - just off the beaten track so sounds a lot fresher. There's also the French Elodie to consider which combines the rhythm Emily with the El- sound of Elodie.

All your choices are really sensible but very much on trend so you might get a lot of replies suggesting that they are 'safe' or 'boring'. Personally, I'd rather a 'safe' name than an outlandish one but you might want to think beyond the top 25 or so (as I believe all 4 of your choices or their derivatives rank up there). Very, very few of the names that popular currently can be described as timeless so, if that's something you're after, dig a bit deeper. If that's not an issue, pick the one of your 4 you like the best and your daughter will have a very pretty name.

[Stixswhichtwizzle]

We used Ellen as a middle name because it means sunshine which is lovely IMO. For that reason its my favourite of your list but Lilian would be my second choice.

[HoratiaWinwood]

Megan I can't like at all. I like other Meg- names, but not Megan.

Lillian - I know eleventy squillion little girls called Lily/Lilly/Lillie/Lily-Rose etc so Lillian just seems like a slightly frumpy version of a ubiquitous name.

Ellen - I like it but don't love it. I think it suits every age. I slightly prefer Helen/Helena but not by lots.

Emily - classic.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Emily then Ellen.

Lilian is a bit too much of a mouthful imho.

[StrawberryMojito]

Ellen is my favourite but I prefer Eleanor.
Emily is ok. Not that keen on Megan or Lillian.

[NappiesandGladrags]

Honestly, the only thing i'd ask here is are they names you REALLY love? Or compromises?

Personally, although Emily is 'nice' pretty etc it's quite 'safe'.

Megan isn't really my cup of tea.

Lillian I feel is much more unusual

Ellen is okay, will be misheard as Helen.

Lucinda?
Erin
Martha
Susannah
Felicity

[armagh]

Ellen
Elaine-Lainey
Elena

[simplesusan]

I like Ellen best.
It has more guts to it than the others. the others are all ok but a bit wishy washy.