The only thing that’s stopped me considering [name]Ellen[/name] as a first name, and keeping it solely on my middle name list, is my dislike of the nn [name]Ellie[/name], which unfortunately could happen with a name like [name]Ellen[/name]. But what about if I was to use Lenni (not sure which spelling I’d go for yet) as an occasional nickname instead, just enough to ward off the Ellies. I really like [name]Ellen[/name] as is, but I’m in the UK where nicknames are all the rage, and I’ve always liked the name [name]Lenny[/name] anyway.
I think it could work. But, be warned that [name]Ellen[/name] might insist on going by [name]Ellie[/name]. A similar thing happened with my friend [name]Evelyn[/name], who now goes by [name]Evie[/name]. Her parents detested the nickname, but it still happened anyway.
I think Lenni for a girl as a full name is quite cute. Though I have the feeling that I’d be on my own with this opinion. Personally I prefer [name]Eleanor[/name] to [name]Ellen[/name] and think that Lenni could still work as a nn - if not better for [name]Eleanor[/name]. On the other hand I think that if you call [name]Ellen[/name] by [name]Ellen[/name] all of the time people will get the hint that she’s [name]Ellen[/name] and not [name]Ellie[/name], especially if she reinforces it to. I’m also in the UK and am not too sure about nickname’s being the rage, I’ve recently been working in a school where a large majority of the children are called by their full names all the time, even the Zacharys and [name]Daniels[/name].
Must just be my area then - plenty of Lotties and Ellies and Beckys, and [name]Tom[/name], [name]Dan[/name], [name]Ben[/name], [name]Sam[/name] etc on the boys. It’s only ever full names when they’re in trouble. And that’s a good point Aurra, might be better off leaving this one to the middle name slot after all.
I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. [name]One[/name] of my friends has a daughter [name]Lenora[/name] who goes by the name [name]Leni[/name] and i think its cute.
[name]Love[/name] it! I’d use the [name]Leni[/name] spelling. I think [name]Ellen[/name] is timeless and underappreciated and I’m glad to hear someone considering it Good luck!
