Eleanor (TW: Kind of Ventish and Personal)
Here’s a little dilemma that I have, and I guess that this is kind of a vent. I have a step-grandmother named Suellen; this is a very bad associate, for reasons that I don’t want to express publicly. Needless to say, I’m at a point where I don’t consider her “grandmother” anymore, not that she knows (but my household does). Now, Eleanor is a name that I really enjoy on a girl; it sounds beautiful and it’s rich in history. If I were to have a potential daughter (called Eleanor), what’re chances that people think Suellen is a namesake? Also, how do you feel about the name Eleanor for a girl?
Replies
No association. Eleanor is fantastic. Regal, classy, understated kickass.
I can't see a connection at all and I think Eleanor is a lovely name.
The chances are slim to nil.
I hate the name Eleanor. I think it's frumpy and sour-faced and just dull.
I hate the name Eleanor. I think it's frumpy and sour-faced and just dull.
I wouldn't imagine a connection between the two. Eleanor is a lovely name, very graceful and soft-sounding.
I hink eleanor is a pretty cool name
You're fine. I think it's a bit boring, but serious and respectable. I love Nell as a nickname.
It would only be risky if you named your daughter Ellen; you’re in the clear with Eleanor.
Eleanor’s lovely, though I chafe at its popularity. I prefer Leonora.
Eleanor’s lovely, though I chafe at its popularity. I prefer Leonora.
I wouldn't consider it a namesake at all. I don't really like the name Eleanor
If you named the baby Susan Eleanor or another name beginning with “Sue” and followed by Eleanor, I could potentially see those very close to you maybe confusing it for a namesake, but that’s a major stretch.
However, I dislike the name Eleanor. It’s been a consistently popular name but has always seemed to fit best an older middle aged or more advanced woman. Personally I have trouble feeling like it’s a good fit for any other age.
However it’s a wonderful classic name in that sense, so choose whatever name you like.
However, I dislike the name Eleanor. It’s been a consistently popular name but has always seemed to fit best an older middle aged or more advanced woman. Personally I have trouble feeling like it’s a good fit for any other age.
However it’s a wonderful classic name in that sense, so choose whatever name you like.
I don't think they'd assume Eleanor was named after Suellen. But I would maybe have an Eleanor namesake in mind and preemptively mention it so that association doesn't have time to come into anyone's mind in the first place. (say "I really liked this name and I was also thinking of [any historical Eleanor(s) that make a good namesake]" when you first introduce the idea of naming your baby Eleanor).
But that said, I don't even know the names of any of my friends' grandmothers, much less a random estranged step-grandmother. Your family already knows you wouldn't have a baby after Suellen and other people probably don't even know of Suellen's existence.
But that said, I don't even know the names of any of my friends' grandmothers, much less a random estranged step-grandmother. Your family already knows you wouldn't have a baby after Suellen and other people probably don't even know of Suellen's existence.
Zero chance that people would connect those two, unless you call Eleanor "Ellen" a lot, and even then I doubt it. Also the number of people who would even know about your step-grandmother Suellen is probably not that many in the grand scheme of things. So few people will know or care about what your child's step-great-grandmother was named that it won't be an issue. Use it without fear!
Eleanor is a nice name, very stately.
Eleanor is a nice name, very stately.
I wouldn't think an Eleanor was named after Suellen.
Eleanor is a perfectly fine name, I'm just bored by Ellie.
Eleanor is a perfectly fine name, I'm just bored by Ellie.
Whyever would 'people' even give it a thought? Eleanor is a lovely name, and it would be silly not to use it because somebody else isn't actually named Eleanor anyway!