WDYT? I think [name]Ethel[/name]'s actually pretty cute, and one of the old-lady names that doesn’t get much attention here on nb.
I like it in theory (it’s similar to the word ethereal, which I think is gorgeous), but when I say it, it just feels unpleasant, like [name]Bertha[/name] or [name]Gertrude[/name]–or [name]Estelle[/name] with a lisp. Not for me.
I like this name. My great-grandmother was named [name]Ethel[/name] [name]Rose[/name]. I always liked it, and she was a dem fine woman.
I’ve always loved [name]Ethel[/name].
I like [name]Ethel[/name], it makes me smile, and would love to see it on a little girl. So cute!
I’m a huge fan of [name]Agnes[/name] and [name]Maude[/name], so it’s not like I’m biased against old-lady names, but I consider [name]Ethel[/name] one of the more hideous of the bunch. It’s the -th sound that gets to me-- I despise [name]Edith[/name] as well. Plus it sounds just like ethyl, as in ethyl alcohol.
I’d much rather see a little [name]Ethel[/name] than a Maddicynne, though.
Yeah, the ethyl alcohol isn’t good. But I personally HATE the names [name]Dorothy[/name] and [name]Agatha[/name], and am very surprised that they’ve been revived. Id count those two with [name]Gertrude[/name] and co. haha. To each her own 
I would put it a step above names like [name]Gertrude[/name] and [name]Beulah[/name], which I think are awful, but I think there are better old lady names to be revived… [name]Agatha[/name] and [name]Eunice[/name] are some of my faves in that category.
I don’t mind [name]Ethel[/name], but I like [name]Etheline[/name] better.
[name]Ethel[/name] reminds me of [name]Ethel[/name] Waters which is an automatic win for me! Then of course there’s [name]Ethel[/name] Mertz (comical) and [name]Ethel[/name] Merman (sassy). It feels like such a Glamour Age of Hollywood name, but I’m not sure it could ever make a strong comeback.
I’m really not a fan. I like some “old lady” names but this one is not one of them. It feels dated but also a bit backwoods to me. Also, going to nursing school I do think of ‘ethyl alcohol’ as well.
It’s not my favorite. EH- (starts out with a lovely open vowel sound) and then …thul. It just sorta falls out of your mouth at the end. I wish I liked it more, as I agree that it has wonderful connotations of Old Hollywood and a dreamy time in history, but the sounds just crush it for me.
I think [name]Ethel[/name] is okay, but I much prefer [name]Edith[/name]. However, this name could grow on me. I used to really dislike [name]Edith[/name], and now I really like it.
I actually really quite like it, but I love old fashioned names and names with a "th’ sound.
Hmmm. I think it’s one of those names that looks nicer than it sounds. It’s very dull and dusty sounding when said out loud (it that makes any sense at all).
I think it’s like [name]Bertha[/name] and [name]Gladys[/name]; never coming back due to sheer unattractiveness, rather than mere fustiness.