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Help[Opinions] Re: Elspeth and Imogen
in reply to a message by lola77
Elspeth. It's beautiful, unusual without being fussy and not climbing the popularity charts anywhere It has several lovely nicknames to choose from, and as a Scottish variant of Elizabeth, has plenty of substance to rest on. It doesn't get lost in the pack of Ava-Emily-Isabella-Sophia-Grace-Ruby-Ella-Madelines she'll grow up with, but it isn't showy, either. I think it's perfect.
While Imogen is a pretty name, that's about all it's got going for it. Shakespeare's character is a bland one. It's also fairly trendy in UK for sure, and on the rise in Australia and Canada, too, I believe. And even in the US, I think it blends in with the trends, rather than holding its own. That said, it is a lovely name.
It depends on what you like and what you are looking for in a name. Imogen is a lovely name that fits in with the current trends without being everywhere, and will age well with her. Elspeth is a more timeless name, a more independent choice, which will age equally well. Elspeth Anne would be my pick, as Elspeth Alice is a little lispy (though I'm biased about Anne).
sa
While Imogen is a pretty name, that's about all it's got going for it. Shakespeare's character is a bland one. It's also fairly trendy in UK for sure, and on the rise in Australia and Canada, too, I believe. And even in the US, I think it blends in with the trends, rather than holding its own. That said, it is a lovely name.
It depends on what you like and what you are looking for in a name. Imogen is a lovely name that fits in with the current trends without being everywhere, and will age well with her. Elspeth is a more timeless name, a more independent choice, which will age equally well. Elspeth Anne would be my pick, as Elspeth Alice is a little lispy (though I'm biased about Anne).
sa
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Replies
Thank you for your response:)
I was a little surprised about how you considered Imogen trendy and fitting in with current trends. I know it is popular in the UK and Australia but hasn't it always been a fairly widely used name there? Also, as far as sound, I don't find it at all similar to the current Ava, Emily, Isabella, Sophia etc. trend- it seems totally different to me.
I realize Elspeth is safer as far as world wide popularity, but on a daily basis, I think it would actually blend with the trends more- the 'el' beginning seems very common with so many Ellas, Eleanors, Elizabeths, Elizas etc.. If she was ever called Elle/Ella (which I'm sure people would since it isn't the easiest name to say) she would be one of many.
I live in Canada and have checked the stats taht are available here - because you can only get numbers for one province, I have to go by that and last year, there wasn't a single Imogen born. I think in North America, it's pretty safe. My parents, who are pretty up on naming things since I harass them all the time, are having trouble with Imogen because they have literally never heard of it. I don't think it is in any danger of cathing on here anything soon- in the states, its not even in the top 1000.
I don't know- I really do love both- these decisions are so hard- Which do you think sounds better with our first DD who is Scarlett Jean? It drives me nuts how much Scarlett's name has risen so I don't want that to happen again- when we picked it, it was only around #500- argh. We are also considering Rosaline.
I was a little surprised about how you considered Imogen trendy and fitting in with current trends. I know it is popular in the UK and Australia but hasn't it always been a fairly widely used name there? Also, as far as sound, I don't find it at all similar to the current Ava, Emily, Isabella, Sophia etc. trend- it seems totally different to me.
I realize Elspeth is safer as far as world wide popularity, but on a daily basis, I think it would actually blend with the trends more- the 'el' beginning seems very common with so many Ellas, Eleanors, Elizabeths, Elizas etc.. If she was ever called Elle/Ella (which I'm sure people would since it isn't the easiest name to say) she would be one of many.
I live in Canada and have checked the stats taht are available here - because you can only get numbers for one province, I have to go by that and last year, there wasn't a single Imogen born. I think in North America, it's pretty safe. My parents, who are pretty up on naming things since I harass them all the time, are having trouble with Imogen because they have literally never heard of it. I don't think it is in any danger of cathing on here anything soon- in the states, its not even in the top 1000.
I don't know- I really do love both- these decisions are so hard- Which do you think sounds better with our first DD who is Scarlett Jean? It drives me nuts how much Scarlett's name has risen so I don't want that to happen again- when we picked it, it was only around #500- argh. We are also considering Rosaline.
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Quebec, BC and UK links :)
Quebec has the BEST names site in Canada, listing all the names used. However...the names are very different to the rest of Canada. There were 2 Imogens born there in 2006.
http://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/enfants/banque_prenoms.htm
Here's the UK girls' top 100 from 2003-7.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/specials/babiesnames_girls.asp
B.C. also has a site- but they only post a name if there are 5 or more examples of that spelling...so there could be four little 2006 Imogens out there http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/babynames/
I'm guessing you have Alberta!
Quebec has the BEST names site in Canada, listing all the names used. However...the names are very different to the rest of Canada. There were 2 Imogens born there in 2006.
http://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/enfants/banque_prenoms.htm
Here's the UK girls' top 100 from 2003-7.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/specials/babiesnames_girls.asp
B.C. also has a site- but they only post a name if there are 5 or more examples of that spelling...so there could be four little 2006 Imogens out there http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/babynames/
I'm guessing you have Alberta!
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Thanks- I have BC actually- I live in Ontario and they don't have anything so I go by BC. I realize that the names are only posted if there are more than 5 so I figure if there is less than 5 in the whole province, the name isn't too popular. I have the UK one and I know Imogen is quite popular there- thanks for sending the links. I just checked the Quebec one- it was great! 2 Imogens and only 3 Scarletts- stats there are definitley different than the rest of Canada.
Thanks again:)
Thanks again:)
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Alberta
here's the alberta girls' list for 2006 http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/pdf/vs/baby_names/2006_Girls.pdf
And the Service Alberta page, as they usually update their lists around now-
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/vs/top10_names.cfm
I'm in Ontario at the moment (and for the foreseeable future)- we should start a campaign for Ontario stats!
Emma
here's the alberta girls' list for 2006 http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/pdf/vs/baby_names/2006_Girls.pdf
And the Service Alberta page, as they usually update their lists around now-
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/vs/top10_names.cfm
I'm in Ontario at the moment (and for the foreseeable future)- we should start a campaign for Ontario stats!
Emma
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Thanks!!!! I agree- I really don't understand why Ontario doesn't release the stats- very annoying!
I would love your thoughts on todays pick: Rosaline- Roz-a-line or Rose-a-line:) I also have had a long standing crush on Magnolia but wonder if it's a little too over the top or southern with Scarlett.
I would love your thoughts on todays pick: Rosaline- Roz-a-line or Rose-a-line:) I also have had a long standing crush on Magnolia but wonder if it's a little too over the top or southern with Scarlett.
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Thanks- I have BC actually- I live in Ontario and they don't have anything so I go by BC. I realize that the names are only posted if there are more than 5 so I figure if there is less than 5 in the whole province, the name isn't too popular. I have the UK one and I know Imogen is quite popular there- thanks for sending the links. I will check out Quebec- have never seen that one- Thanks!
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In the UK, Imogen has been very popular in the last five to ten years. In my mind, Imogen is an evolution from the hyper-popular Emma, Emily, Amelia, etc, and fits in with the general feel of those names- I do think there's a difference, but not so much that it's outside of the trends. I also live in Canada, but have lived almost equal parts of my life in the UK- which may skew my perspective. I have noticed, though, in the last decade or so that the naming trends in the UK and Canada are moving closer together (less of a lag or difference in tastes). Scarlett and Imogen are both in the 30s on the UK list (both moved up about 10 places from 2006), and so if I met sisters named Scarlett and Imogen I'd think brit-chic here, and mainstream (but pretty!) there. Scarlett and Elspeth, however, I would probably just be struck by the lovely names.
Until a generation or so ago, Jean and Elspeth would have been typically Scottish sisters, so I especially like that- it's a subtle connection. I understand the similarity to Ella, Eleanor, etc, but I think it's more akin to Elsa and Elsie, which while they're rising, are not yet on everyone's radar. Elizabeth's common, but it's a timeless name, and helps to familiarise the otherwise very unusual Elspeth.
Elspeth, I think, has a whiff of the highlands left about it without feeling forced in an anglo context- it's a "still waters run deep" sort of name. Imogen and Rosaline are both more overt in their beauty- more brightly coloured- gorgeous English gardens in full bloom.
In the end though, it's best to pick the name you love, and not bow to the family pressure! Imogen, Elspeth and Rosaline are all very lovely names- you can't really go wrong.
Sorry for the essay! And best of luck.
Until a generation or so ago, Jean and Elspeth would have been typically Scottish sisters, so I especially like that- it's a subtle connection. I understand the similarity to Ella, Eleanor, etc, but I think it's more akin to Elsa and Elsie, which while they're rising, are not yet on everyone's radar. Elizabeth's common, but it's a timeless name, and helps to familiarise the otherwise very unusual Elspeth.
Elspeth, I think, has a whiff of the highlands left about it without feeling forced in an anglo context- it's a "still waters run deep" sort of name. Imogen and Rosaline are both more overt in their beauty- more brightly coloured- gorgeous English gardens in full bloom.
In the end though, it's best to pick the name you love, and not bow to the family pressure! Imogen, Elspeth and Rosaline are all very lovely names- you can't really go wrong.
Sorry for the essay! And best of luck.
This message was edited 1/25/2008, 7:21 AM
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Thanks so much for the time you took with your responses- I really really appreciate your perspective:)
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