I have recently been pondering the name [name]Ethel[/name]. I like it, but my only reservation would be it possibly being too outdated.
PRO’s
I do know a girl in her early twenties named this and I liked it on her.
[name]Lily[/name] [name]Allen[/name] had a baby girl by this name, so it may be able to make a revival.
[name]CON[/name]'s
Well, it is my great-great grandmother’s name so that does make it seem very old.
What do you think - is [name]Ethel[/name] able to be used, or is it not yet ready to come back?
Personally, I think it’s on the line, but probably pretty close…it really depends on your overall naming style. I mean, there are little girls (nameberry babies included) being named [name]Agnes[/name], [name]Mabel[/name], and [name]Edith[/name] right now, and I think [name]Ethel[/name] is right in there with that group.
It’s definitely more out there than [name]Lila[/name], [name]Charlotte[/name], [name]Olivia[/name], and the other more popular revival names. And it might depend a lot on where you live. EG, if you live in Oregon or NY it’s probably easier to get away with than if you live in Nebraska…
It still sounds old to me - but a lot of names like that are making a comeback. I prefer [name]Edith[/name] or [name]Evelyn[/name] because then you have the option of [name]Edie[/name] or [name]Evie[/name] as cute nicknames.
I don’t like it, but it’s just as usable as [name]Hazel[/name] or [name]Mabel[/name] imo. I don’t know how people can love [name]Hazel[/name] or [name]Mabel[/name], but consider [name]Ethel[/name] to “old”. All three are names that don’t appeal to me sound-wise, but I think their vintage quality is sweet.
I thought I was the only one that liked this name! I think I missed the memo that said this is the quintessential grandma name because it sounds ready for a comeback to me. I like the ‘th’ sound in the middle and it sounds similar to other names that are popular right now with the ‘el’ sound. I like it a lot and maybe it’s because I’ve never actually known an old lady with the name. If [name]Dorothy[/name] and [name]Cora[/name] can come back, surely [name]Ethel[/name] can too.
I kind of like it. Maybe it has grown on me because of Downton [name]Abbey[/name]? Anyway, I don’t see how it’s any more “old” than [name]Hazel[/name] or [name]Edith[/name] or [name]Agnes[/name] or any of the other “vintage” names popping up lately.
I don’t think it is awful but I do think it could be a hard name to carry. It wouldn’t be hard to be a pretty [name]Ethel[/name], but an [name]Ethel[/name] who was awkward might find it a bit harder.
It’s not a name I would use, but I don’t see why it would be unusable to others. Like someone said it’s right there with [name]Hazel[/name] and the likes.
