My husband and I really like Estée as a girls name, but are somewhat concerned all she would ever hear is the connection to the Estée Lauder brand. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think this is a major issue or she would embody it in her own right?
I like [name_f]Esther[/name_f] too but my husband thinks it is too old fashioned.
Can’t say I am familiar with the brand. I like Estée, though I can imagine the é being awkward if you live in an English speaking country.
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] and [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f] are both really sweet. I like them. I prefer the spelling and pronunciation of [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] to [name_f]Mathilde[/name_f]. Lilillian seems a little dated to me, but I do really love [name_f]Lilia[/name_f], [name_f]Liliana[/name_f] and [name_f]Liana[/name_f]. [name_f]Liliana[/name_f] (various spellings, I haven’t decided) is stop of my girls list at the moment. [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] is also lovely and on my list. I love the idea of the nickname [name_f]Lettie[/name_f], though I could myself using this as a middle too. [name_f]Yasmin[/name_f] and [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] are also sweet.
I am not familiar with the brand but I do love the name Estée! An alternative for this name that I suggest would be [name_f]Estelle[/name_f]. Estée could also be the nickname for [name_f]Estelle[/name_f]!
I do immediately think of the cosmetics line, although I used to use it, my mother used to work for it, and I used to work for a company under the Estée Lauder umbrella, so I probably have more exposure to it than most. I believe Estée with the accent was coined by Estée Lauder, though.
I don’t think that means you shouldn’t use it, especially as a nickname. The accent would be a pain for a full name anyway if you live in the US or a number of other countries that don’t allow accents on official documents. I think Mauvia16’s suggestion of [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] is excellent!
I don’t think you should use it. Not only is it so associated with the brand, but the accent will inevitably be a pain for official documents and typing her name. I also am just not fond of the sound or appearance. [name_f]Lydia[/name_f], [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f], and [name_f]Mathilde[/name_f] are my favorites from your list.
Thank you for the replies.
I agree [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] is beautiful but unfortunately it is too similar to another name in my immediate family.
I also like [name_f]Estee[/name_f] without the accept, it’s not necessary i don’t think (my phone automatically makes the change).
I believe [name_f]Estee[/name_f] Lauder’s real name was [name_f]Esther[/name_f] but her Hungarian father pronounced it more like [name_f]Estee[/name_f] and thus where it came from.
I’m finding girls names so difficult and my husband dismisses everything as either too trendy or too old fashioned. He does agree to [name_f]Estee[/name_f] but I have some reservations. Thank you again for giving me some things to mull over! X
[name_f]Estee[/name_f]. It’s quite lovely. I like it a lot. It feels both graceful and strong. I love that it’s uncommon whilst still being familiar and recognisable. It has a really clean look about it too. The other names you’ve listed would be great middle name options, particularly [name_f]Estee[/name_f] [name_f]Lydia[/name_f], [name_f]Estee[/name_f] [name_f]Mathilde[/name_f] and [name_f]Estee[/name_f] [name_f]Lillian[/name_f].
I don’t think there’ll be any major challenges with spelling or pronunciation. It’s short and looks quite intuitive. There may be an initial schooling sometimes on how to spell or say her name correctly, but most people - certainly the ones that matter anyway - will know it from then on. Popular names aren’t immune to this either. For example the spelling of [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]/[name_f]Katherine[/name_f] and [name_m]Steven[/name_m]/[name_m]Stephen[/name_m], or the pronunciation of [name_f]Elena[/name_f] (Ee-LAIN-a/EH-len-a) and [name_m]Louis[/name_m] (LOO-ee/LOO-is).
I understand your concerns about the potential association to the brand. I personally don’t think it’s a deal breaker though. I didn’t think of the connection myself, and there’ll be many others who don’t think of it or don’t know the brand. [name_m]Even[/name_m] for those who do think of it, it’s probably a neutral association for them. If someone were to ever say, were you named after the brand? She can naturally respond, it’s a variation [name_f]Esther[/name_f] and my parents loved the name. Generally associations are only an initial or temporary response anyway. The association normally fades as we get to know them as a person. So I hope the association doesn’t discourage you from using it. I’m confident she will make the name hers, how could she not!
As for the accent, I think the name can do without. Names with similar endings like [name_f]Renee[/name_f], [name_f]Esmee[/name_f] and [name_f]Desiree[/name_f] are often spelt without the accent and have no impact on pronunciation. It would also help to set her name more apart from the brand, and will be easier for filling out forms. Ultimately, nothing is a deal breaker unless you think it is. The most important thing is how much you both love the name, which it sounds you definitely do. But if you’re feeling unsure it won’t hurt to look at other names and just see what happens. All the best with your search.
Thank you for this very thoughtful and considered response!! You’ve certainly made me feel better about some of the things that were worrying me about the name!!! I’m so grateful for another perspective. X
I love it! I do think of the brand, but I’m pretty sure that one of the sisters from [name_m]Haim[/name_m] is called [name_f]Estee[/name_f] so maybe it is becoming more familiar! I love it as nickname for [name_f]Esther[/name_f]!
I think she is [name_f]Este[/name_f] pronounced [name_f]Estie[/name_f] so subtly different. I do love [name_f]Esther[/name_f] too but my husband has said no to that but yes to [name_f]Estee[/name_f] … ( go figure!!!)
My brain automatically adds “Lauder,” so I feel like it is somewhat inextricable from the brand. That being said, I love the sound and the open vowels at the end. If [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] does not work for you, what about [name_f]Esme[/name_f] / [name_f]Esmay[/name_f]?
Unfortunately as much as I personally love them l, [name_f]Esme[/name_f], [name_f]Esmay[/name_f] and [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] are all off the table for us. If we don’t go with [name_f]Estee[/name_f] it will be something completely different - like [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] or [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f].
Appreciate the variety of views so much! X
@therightname in 2021 we welcomed an [name_f]Estee[/name_f] (pronounced ST. I never cared for the accent though it sounds pretty). I found your thread now expecting again and looking for girl names that would go with [name_f]Estee[/name_f]. It’s tough!
I’ve only heard of the brand once, so I would say there is a difference between naming your kid [name_f]Estée[/name_f] or, say, [name_f]Maybelline[/name_f]. I think the latter is a little more well-known than the former. I love the name so much! I think it is a sassier take on [name_u]Esme[/name_u]! I’ll also suggest [name_f]Estrella[/name_f] “Estée”.