We are expecting a girl in [name_u]January[/name_u] and are planning on naming her either [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] or [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]? We are having trouble deciding between the two. I was leaning towards [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] but in my head I can see myself shortening it a using [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] as nn so then I am not sure so then I am not sure if we should use that as her formal fn? I wanted to thank everyone who has commented on my previous threads I have actually found the feedback very helpful. So my questions for you are:
In general do you prefer [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] or [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]? And why?
Which name do you think would work better with my sibset?
If I end up shortening [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] to [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] should I just use [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] as the formal fn?
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] by far. While I think that [name_m]Otto[/name_m] is quite charming for a boy, [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] just sounds wrong somehow and very old-fashioned. Besides, [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] would go smashingly well with your children’s names where I think [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] would have a clunky feel to it with the others.
Firstly congrats!!
My favourite is [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] I just find this name more complete and prettier than [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]. [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] has a firm sound and a lovely flow. It’s a strong choice.
I think [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] works better with [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], [name_f]Isla[/name_f] and [name_f]Freya[/name_f] just because she has the unusual quirky spirit of [name_f]Isla[/name_f] & [name_f]Freya[/name_f] but she has the traditional vibe of [name_m]John[/name_m] & [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] just fits nicely in the sibling set.
I think it seems strange using [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] as a nickname for [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] when you can just use [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] as her formal first name!
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] like the others, I dislike [name_m]Otto[/name_m].
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f].
Yes. Shortening [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] to [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] seems a bit weird (imo) since it’s a [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] is a stand alone name too.
I prefer [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] and like it better with the older siblings’ names. But if you go with [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f], I don’t have a problem with naming her that and calling her [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] as a nn. You could spell the nn Ottolie if it made more sense to you. To me, it’s similar to [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Mia[/name_f] or [name_f]Amy[/name_f]. Or [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] nn [name_f]Eliza[/name_f].
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] I see [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] as [name_m]Otto[/name_m]-line. Also [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] feels a bit lighter to me, to fit with [name_f]Isla[/name_f] & [name_f]Freya[/name_f].
I prefer [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f], I think it’s softer and more elegant and “classic” sounding. It’s fresh and pretty, but not frilly. A lovely name!
Also, I think there might be confusion with the pronunciation of the “line” part of [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f]. (as in, “leen” or “lyne”.) I think [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] sounds more Germanic, and more harsh than Ottilie.
It depends on the surname too of course; which flows better.
She could always be [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f], short for [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f]! That’s also lovely.
Isla, Freya and Ottilie sound lovely as sisters.
If you really can’t decide, then go with Ottoline as the full name and Ottilie as the nn. Then she can always choose which she prefers when she’s older. I love having the option of shortening the full name.
Good luck, hope I helped!
(And here are some other pretty “o” names, just in case!)
[name_f]Odette[/name_f]
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Opal[/name_f]
I think they’re all pretty, fresh, classic and unique!
[name_f]Ottoline[/name_f]… Eh, for me it just feels like someone added ‘line’ in [name_m]Otto[/name_m]. Similar to how my mother adds ‘lina’ in my name, when she’s in the mood - it doesn’t really fit my name, but well it’s just a term of endearment for me that my mother uses once in a while.
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]… Great new name I’ve found on nameberry. And I think it just looks fabulous with your other kids.
If it were me, I’d make the decision based on the overall flow/sound of the FN/LN. Depending on how you pronounce [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f], you may have totally different syllable counts and ending sounds. To be honest, to my ears, oh-[name_m]TEEL[/name_m]-ee-uh sounds a lot more formal than [name_f]Isla[/name_f] and [name_f]Freya[/name_f]. [name_m]AH[/name_m]-till-ee provides a better match with its light and liquid sound. [name_m]AH[/name_m]-tih-leen or [name_m]AH[/name_m]-tih-line both are also lighter to my ears than that [name_m]German[/name_m] pronunciation of [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f].
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] is a family name for us, but we live in the States, where it is quite unusual. We really like the idea of using it to honor a matriarch but the pronunciation wars turn me off. Many people feel that this name (as opposed to all the hundreds of other Germanic names we pronounce in accordance with English phonics) has to pronounced as the Germans would. Unfortunately, in the US, if we forced everyone to learn a very unusual name and insisted on a “correct [name_m]German[/name_m]” pronunciation, it’d be considered quite pretentious. So, like you, I’ve thought about [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f], but we’ll probably just choose a different name altogether. Best of luck! They’re both lovely names.
I see [name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] as [name_m]Otto[/name_m]-line. Also [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] feels a bit lighter to me, to fit with [name_f]Isla[/name_f] & [name_f]Freya[/name_f].