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HelpAlice
It seems like it's in fashion, like Charlotte or Amelia ... but I don't like it. =(
My associations are things like Alice on the Brady Bunch, Alice Cooper, Alice in Wonderland, and Alice B. Toklas. Dowdy, domestic, plain, anemic, snarling, helpless, backgroundy, forgettable ... this can't be right! It's the girl name most added to people's lists here over the past 5 years. I must be missing something about it.
Help! I want to like it. Convince me. Why is it really charming?
My associations are things like Alice on the Brady Bunch, Alice Cooper, Alice in Wonderland, and Alice B. Toklas. Dowdy, domestic, plain, anemic, snarling, helpless, backgroundy, forgettable ... this can't be right! It's the girl name most added to people's lists here over the past 5 years. I must be missing something about it.
Help! I want to like it. Convince me. Why is it really charming?
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I didn't like it much until I met two little girls with the name when I started working at one of my current jobs. I always found it kind of awkward to say because it is so similar to my own name (Elise) so it sounded 'off' to me. As a sidenote, I find this happens with a lot of names...I get my name mispronounced regularly as Eh-liss, A-liss, Elsie, Elisa, E-lee-sha etc and it kind of turns me off all of those names because I find it so frustrating and resent it slightly. Elsie has grown on me though...
Anyway, the young Alices that I know are both sweet, kind, slightly quirky, on the quieter side but not wallflowers, and very likeable. I think it is an approachable name- it is familiar but not overused and it is very demure. It definitely gives off a Victorian vibe, which I like. That being said, it really isn't my cup of tea exactly. It is also kind of forgetable and it is a 'quiet' name to me. I wouldn't ever consider using it myself but I like seeing it get some use by other people and I'd rather meet a little Alice than a lot of other names that are popular at the moment.
Anyway, the young Alices that I know are both sweet, kind, slightly quirky, on the quieter side but not wallflowers, and very likeable. I think it is an approachable name- it is familiar but not overused and it is very demure. It definitely gives off a Victorian vibe, which I like. That being said, it really isn't my cup of tea exactly. It is also kind of forgetable and it is a 'quiet' name to me. I wouldn't ever consider using it myself but I like seeing it get some use by other people and I'd rather meet a little Alice than a lot of other names that are popular at the moment.
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I don't like it either, I find it prissy and 'goody-two-shoes.' It also has the word 'lice' in it.
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It's obviously feminine but entirely un-frilly, it's short and easy to spell, it's solidly historically grounded. Same reasons why I like Edith, or Jane.
The Lewis Carroll thing is maybe a downside, but I don't really think of that - more of real women, like a good friend from university, another friend's fantastic 13-yr-old and people like:
Alice Rawsthorn - art critic
Alice Roberts - professor and tv anthropologist
Alice Russell - singer
oh and Alice Coltrane & Alice Walker, and they're making me think that Alice was probably around as a common name for a little bit longer in the US, and was maybe more in a bracket with names like, say, Carol and Shirley. So, entirely different vibe. And if that was the vibe I got, I wouldn't be wild about it either.
The Lewis Carroll thing is maybe a downside, but I don't really think of that - more of real women, like a good friend from university, another friend's fantastic 13-yr-old and people like:
Alice Rawsthorn - art critic
Alice Roberts - professor and tv anthropologist
Alice Russell - singer
oh and Alice Coltrane & Alice Walker, and they're making me think that Alice was probably around as a common name for a little bit longer in the US, and was maybe more in a bracket with names like, say, Carol and Shirley. So, entirely different vibe. And if that was the vibe I got, I wouldn't be wild about it either.
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I love it. I think it's beautiful for many reasons. I do associate it with Alice in Wonderland, but I think that's a wonderful connection. The Alice stories are very well-loved in my family. My grandparents started a children's theater group in my hometown in the 70's and two of their first plays were Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. They revived the group in the 90's with those two plays. When I was 17, I played Alice in the ballet Alice in Wonderland and it has been one of my most cherished experiences. I kept thinking what a cool name Alice was throughout the performance, and all of the research that I put into the character was fascinating. At the time, I met an Alice who was 14 or 15 and I thought she was lucky to have such a classic, elegant name.
To start with, I love that Alice starts with an "A". I like many others names that don't start with "A", but I think that "A" adds a certain power to a word, while also giving it a softer sound. I think it sounds strong, sophisticated, and highly intelligent without sounding harsh; instead, it's soft and pretty. It's also ladylike without being at all frilly. While Alice really only reminds of me Wonderland and Alice Liddell, I do get the Brady Bunch thing. That doesn't bother me though, because Alice was a sweet, motherly character. She was kind of weird and goofy, but she was lovable.
I know it's jumping in popularity, but I think there are many more names that will beat it on a popularity list, at least in the US.
The only downside I can see is that other people associate it with Twilight, which I loathe. I'm originally from Port Angeles, where Twilight partially takes place, and people around think they're very clever because they've used the name Bella for their daughters. They like to call their names out loudly in stores and look around to see if any tourists have noticed. However, they could all do much worse. The characters in Twilight do have some nice names.
To start with, I love that Alice starts with an "A". I like many others names that don't start with "A", but I think that "A" adds a certain power to a word, while also giving it a softer sound. I think it sounds strong, sophisticated, and highly intelligent without sounding harsh; instead, it's soft and pretty. It's also ladylike without being at all frilly. While Alice really only reminds of me Wonderland and Alice Liddell, I do get the Brady Bunch thing. That doesn't bother me though, because Alice was a sweet, motherly character. She was kind of weird and goofy, but she was lovable.
I know it's jumping in popularity, but I think there are many more names that will beat it on a popularity list, at least in the US.
The only downside I can see is that other people associate it with Twilight, which I loathe. I'm originally from Port Angeles, where Twilight partially takes place, and people around think they're very clever because they've used the name Bella for their daughters. They like to call their names out loudly in stores and look around to see if any tourists have noticed. However, they could all do much worse. The characters in Twilight do have some nice names.
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I'm sorry, I hate it :(
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I always associate it with my grandmother, and have trouble seeing it in any other light. Even the "Sweet Alice" flower is alyssum really ...
It does have a strong traditional feel, and historical lineage - that's a definite plus.
I prefer the spelling Alys because Alice seems unbalanced to me - and as a kid I used to think of woodlice!
I always thought that if I wanted to honour my gran I'd use Alicia (pron. the British way, not aleesha) but now I regard that as too pretentious. And Alison is out of favour. Now I'd even consider Celia, an anagram of Alice.
It does have a strong traditional feel, and historical lineage - that's a definite plus.
I prefer the spelling Alys because Alice seems unbalanced to me - and as a kid I used to think of woodlice!
I always thought that if I wanted to honour my gran I'd use Alicia (pron. the British way, not aleesha) but now I regard that as too pretentious. And Alison is out of favour. Now I'd even consider Celia, an anagram of Alice.
This message was edited 11/6/2012, 1:39 PM
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I picture Alice from Alice in Wonderland - pretty, curious, well read, old fashioned. I never gave it much thought until a relative named their daughter this and she is so sweet and adorable that the name really grew on me.
Elise is one of my favorite names and the sounds are similar so that is probably a big reason. I guess I like that soft, lilting raise at the end. It sounds almost musical to me. I also like the possibility of Ally as a nickname.
Elise is one of my favorite names and the sounds are similar so that is probably a big reason. I guess I like that soft, lilting raise at the end. It sounds almost musical to me. I also like the possibility of Ally as a nickname.
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One may wonder. It's hugely popular in Sweden right now, but I don't like it either. For me it sounds like an old, boring lady.
Amelia is rather nice; it's unusual here, so I'm not tired of it. There is a Joni Mitchell song called Amelia that I like. The only thing I don't like is that amelia means "without limbs" in Greek and is a kind of deformity.
Charlotte, yeah, it's nice and I like Charlotte Brontë, but it's so common. I have an aunt Charlotte and everyone calls her Lotta; I think it's the fate for all Swedish Charlottes.
Amelia is rather nice; it's unusual here, so I'm not tired of it. There is a Joni Mitchell song called Amelia that I like. The only thing I don't like is that amelia means "without limbs" in Greek and is a kind of deformity.
Charlotte, yeah, it's nice and I like Charlotte Brontë, but it's so common. I have an aunt Charlotte and everyone calls her Lotta; I think it's the fate for all Swedish Charlottes.
This message was edited 11/6/2012, 1:06 PM
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it isn't charming at all to me...
It manages to give me vibes of a loud, unattractive and tackily dressed and lazy Wal-Mart customer service person (I actually knew an Alice exactly like this) and a simpering, moody, educated but clueless misfit chewing on her hair.
I guess it's popular because it's old-fashioned and got a Victorian feel to it. Also, it's not in the top 100 and it doesn't have any spelling variations to speak of and is the kind of name that might in some circles be called upper-class. That's important on name boards, I've noticed.
It manages to give me vibes of a loud, unattractive and tackily dressed and lazy Wal-Mart customer service person (I actually knew an Alice exactly like this) and a simpering, moody, educated but clueless misfit chewing on her hair.
I guess it's popular because it's old-fashioned and got a Victorian feel to it. Also, it's not in the top 100 and it doesn't have any spelling variations to speak of and is the kind of name that might in some circles be called upper-class. That's important on name boards, I've noticed.
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Same here... The other part is the heavy metal and hard rock image from Alice Cooper. Can't get much of a charm when a man who has guillotines in his concerts enters my mind.
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I like it a lot. It's on my list but I'm not sure if I'd use it realisitcally. For me it has a childish (but not overly immature) appeal, I think of an adorable happy girl with blonde pigtails and a flowing pretty dress. It's one of the few names that I like that doesn't end in "a" and for that I am happy. I do think of Alice in Wonderland a lot but that's not a typically bad association for me. From the others you mentioned I only know of Alice Cooper - and he doesn't spring to mind when I think of the name.
All in all I think there is a charm to this name that, yes, not everybody sees. Because at the end of the day, nobody can like every single name, and there's always going to be someone out there that hates your favourite name... And vice versa.
All in all I think there is a charm to this name that, yes, not everybody sees. Because at the end of the day, nobody can like every single name, and there's always going to be someone out there that hates your favourite name... And vice versa.
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I used to love Alice, it was #1 on my list. Now I really dislike it. I can't really say what happened.
I guess when I first liked it it reminded me mostly of Alice in Wonderland which I love. So it had a nice image, rabbits, tea parties, a childhood favorite. I also read about Alice Liddell (I hope I spelled this right) at the time and loved her combo, Alice Pleasance.
Then something happened. My first association is not Alice in Wonderland anymore but Alice Cooper and Alice in Chains. Then someone pointed out that it looked just like 'a lice' and I disliked that too. I also think of the Brady Bunch now and unfortunately that chick from Twilight. And I really really didn't like the Twilight character, she was so annoying. Not that I liked anything about Twilight to begin with.
So now I find it unattractive. I can't really see it entering the top 100 for some reason.
I don't understand Amelias appeal at all (the MEEL sound is so unattractive to me) and I never really cared for Charlotte either.
I guess when I first liked it it reminded me mostly of Alice in Wonderland which I love. So it had a nice image, rabbits, tea parties, a childhood favorite. I also read about Alice Liddell (I hope I spelled this right) at the time and loved her combo, Alice Pleasance.
Then something happened. My first association is not Alice in Wonderland anymore but Alice Cooper and Alice in Chains. Then someone pointed out that it looked just like 'a lice' and I disliked that too. I also think of the Brady Bunch now and unfortunately that chick from Twilight. And I really really didn't like the Twilight character, she was so annoying. Not that I liked anything about Twilight to begin with.
So now I find it unattractive. I can't really see it entering the top 100 for some reason.
I don't understand Amelias appeal at all (the MEEL sound is so unattractive to me) and I never really cared for Charlotte either.
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I've just been thinking of the name, mostly due to authors. Alice Hoffman & Alice Walker come to mind. And Alice B. Toklas was pretty kick-ass, too.
At the same time...I don't like it. I, too, find it simpering - even though Alice Hoffman & Alice Walker are not. I read Alice B. Toklas' cookbook and I fell in love with her - she was feisty and hilarious - but again, it's not enough to make me like the name.
Alys, though, I love. That brings to mind a strong, Medieval woman - but it's one that I would never use. It's too bad it would be seen as a kreativ spelling of Alice and not a name in its own right.
At the same time...I don't like it. I, too, find it simpering - even though Alice Hoffman & Alice Walker are not. I read Alice B. Toklas' cookbook and I fell in love with her - she was feisty and hilarious - but again, it's not enough to make me like the name.
Alys, though, I love. That brings to mind a strong, Medieval woman - but it's one that I would never use. It's too bad it would be seen as a kreativ spelling of Alice and not a name in its own right.
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This is my name, and I used to really hate it, for some of the reasons you listed above, and I thought it was kind of ugly. But its grown on me lately, maybe its just becausse I think it suits me, but I like that it has (what I think is) a nice meaning, and its a very old and quite established name.
But I am biased, and it does annoy me that there aren't any really nice nicknames to go with it, but those are the reasons I like it.
But I am biased, and it does annoy me that there aren't any really nice nicknames to go with it, but those are the reasons I like it.
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Nn for Alice....How about Ali?
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Meh, why bother liking it just because other people like it? I am also confused with the popularity of this name. I think many people like it because of Alice in Wonderland, but it still does nothing for me.
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Just to clarify ... it's not that I want to like what everyone else likes (lol).
I want to understand why it is likeable. I can usually see the appeal of names I don't like, but with Alice I just don't see it.
I want to understand why it is likeable. I can usually see the appeal of names I don't like, but with Alice I just don't see it.
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