Help me please!

[redllamayellowllama]

We've decided on a name if DC2 is a boy (we want a surprise this time), but being decisive about a girl's name is proving more difficult.

We have a shortlist, would appreciate some opinions on them:

Nancy
Esther
Esme
Stella
Betty

Some other background; middle name is definitely Suze (pronounced soo-za).

Ta.

[Maria2007loveshersleep]

Nancy Suze= I really don't like, not sure why but it doesn't sound pretty to me at all. First, I don't like Nancy on its own. Second the combination 'Nancy Suze' doesn't work.
Esther Suze= better but sounds a bit 'harsh' to me & too biblical, but not bad.
Esme Suze=I like. How would you pronounce it?
Stella Suze= Stella is a lovely name, has a strong feel to it but in a good, distinctive way. Not sure that it works with Suze though.
Betty Suze=I really really don't like Betty (sorry). And the combination Betty Suze I also dislike.

[redllamayellowllama]

Oh dear. Not so positive. Suze will most likely be shortened to Su/Sue - it is more of a passing reference to my Grandma. For some reason the nickname for all girls in my wider family is Su and I wanted to nod to that.

In light of this, do the names work (Suze a little harsh - I get that - Grandma is Dutch).

Thanks for your feedback.

[Bumbleconfusus]

I agree Esme is very nice.

[edielousmum]

I love Betty, its so 40s/50s glamour. And Betty Suze works. I almost called my daughter Betty but my husband wouldn't go with it.

Nancy is very retro but like it.

My daughter is called Edie (short for Edith) and I love it. Its cute, retro and wholesome (as long as you forget the Edie from desparate housewives). When we first told people her name there was one who said "you are joking?". But I have also had lots of genuine compliments. I think you have to go with what you like. With a name that is not straightforward you will always get people who love it or hate it. I think all the names you have mentioned will get more popular with time anyway, so when she is 20 she could have a really cool name!

Others you might like - Elsie, Elsa, Pearl, Bea(trice)?

[redllamayellowllama]

edielousmum - we are on the same page here. I love girls names that have the 40s/50s element to them.

My husband LOVES Edith and has nearly persuaded me to put it on the shortlist. You may be helping to get it one there too!

I think Pearl is lovely, but it doesn't work AT ALL with our surname.

[CirrhosisByTheSea]

Betty Suze has the best ring to it I think though personally I just can't like Betty - all the really old ladies I knew as a kid were called betty so it just makes me think of those beige tunic dresses and white hair and american tan tights.......eek. And all of my friends had an aged 'auntie Betty'

I just can't conjure up glamour from that name, personally

For me, I prefer Nancy Suze. Stylish.

[Maria2007loveshersleep]

I think Betty Suze is ultra 'cute', reminds me of Betty Book and doesn't sound like a name that would grow well, which is why I don't like it. But as Edielousmum said, your name choices (especially "Nancy" and "Betty") are straightforward so I happen not to like them, but others might well do!

I like Esme & Stella very much though, but again, not with Suze, sorry...

[Pasiphae]

I think Betty and Stella works the best with Suze. But since it is the middle name, does it matter that much?
My fav is Nancy! Gorgeously vintage.

[Maria2007loveshersleep]

(sorry meant reminds me of Betty Boo)...

[Fourleaf]

Hi, I think this is a very nice shortlist!

Nancy - great name
Esther - very nice
Esme - ok but pretty trendy
Stella - lovely!
Betty - love as nn for Elizabeth (which sounds good with Suze IMO) but not as a name in its own right

Stella's my fave - Stella Suze is fab!

[shimster]

Esther is my name and I love it. So glad my folks picked it. Stella is nice but is also the name of a lager. Love your list.

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

I like Nancy, Esther and Stella

I also like Betty, but as a nn

If I had to chose, I'd say Stella is my favourite, BUT Elizabeth is very adaptable, so that's a close second

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

What about Lydia ?

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

or Margaret - Maggie/Peggy ?

[redllamayellowllama]

Lydia just makes me think of Chlamydia. Shame as it is a very pretty name. Really like the Margaret suggestion though - thank you!

[thehillsarealive]

please not nancy, i dont like it at all. But it is your name after all.

I do like Stella, I like Esme too.

[RachieB]

Only like Esme out of your list

[Sunshinemummy]

I like all your names. Not very helpful!

[Feierabend]

Esme is the prettiest out of your list I think. Not so keen on the other ones.

[mathanxiety]

Nancy Suze -- sounds like Nancy-Sue, quite 50's American
Esther Suze -- Like a lot
Esme Suze -- like
Stella Suze -- Like a lot
Betty Suze -- again, this sounds a bit 50's American

So I think my favourites from your list are Esther, Esme and Stella. I like Edith too. May I suggest Greta?

[ellesabe]

Nancy and Esme win it for me!

[pointysayhiphip]

Nancy - nah. Not good connotations re nan, nancy
Esther - bit posh
Esme - too fashionable for me
Stella - I love it although have been surprised by the number of people who really don't like it. Lovely and it means star.
Betty - nope.