Matilda, Emily or Elizabeth (Lily or Betsy)? Sell me your favourite! Due in 6 weeks

[lucy12]

Hi everyone

My baby girl's due in 6 weeks and I'm torn between 3 gorgeous names: Matilda, Emily and Elizabeth. I think they're all fantastic and I love them all. I do, however, need to come to a decision about which one to use.... this is where you come in!! I'd be extremely grateful if you could pick your favourite name out of these three and really sell it to me, convincing me that that particular one is the one to use. Then I can look at the different cases argued for each name and hopefully base my decision on one of these. So, what is it that makes your favourite name (out of these three) gorgeous/special/pretty/cool/appealing etc. and why should I choose it over the others?
Also...

1. If you pick Matilda, please also specify why you like a particular nickname. Even though some of them aren't truly connected to the name, I'm open to Tillie, Mattie, May, Mollie, Milly.... or just Matilda. Anything! As long as you sell it to me. Please also explain your choice of middle name. Do you like Matilda Sophie, Matilda Emily, Matilda Pearl, Matilda Lucy or something else entirely? Sell it!
2. If you pick Emily, do you like May, Pearl, Catherine, Clara or Matilda as a middle name? Why?
(I'm also open to suggestions here, but please explain why)
3. An Elizabeth would most likely be Elizabeth Daisy (Daisy as the middle name). In your opinion, is Lily (I know it's not technically a form of Elizabeth, but that doesn't bother me) or Betsy the best shortened name to use? I realise this will depend on the child, and also my personal preference but I'm just trying to assess people's reactions and gather opinions.

Thank you so much for your help. It's much appreciated.

p.s. If she's anything like her father and me, this child will be a little unconventional (in a good way!), probably an animal lover. She's likely to come across as fairly quiet/shy but actually be a real individual with a quirky side and a real sense of humour. This may influence your choice.

[ashthedreamer]

If she's anything like her parents, then I would definitely go with Elizabeth, nn Lily! The description you gave just seems to suit an Elizabeth, nn Lily, and even if she isn't anything like you or her father, Elizabeth is so versatile it could suit anyone!

My second choice (which was going to be my first choice, until you mentioned the description at the end) is Matilda Sophie. Sooo cute, and the nn Tilly is so cute and quirky, while still being a bit vintage. I think Matilda's more interesting, but I personally prefer Elizabeth, especially with the nn Lily, and I think Elizabeth just sounds perfect for your family! Elizabeth Daisy is really pretty--have you considered Elizabeth Sophie? I like the calming, sweet affect Sophie has on the classic, more austere Elizabeth.

Emily is nice, and very pretty, I agree, but it just seems overdone at the moment and not as interesting as Elizabeth or Matilda.

Good luck!

[lucy12]

Thank you so much for that answer Just the kind of thing I was looking for! Elizabeth Sophie sounds lovely too... Daisy may have some competition!!

[jesba]

I wholeheartedly agree with what ashthedreamer said! I love classic names and Elizabeth is a great one for having so many nicknames. I've heard of Lily as a nickname fo rElizabeth before so it's hardly out in left field. Matilda and Emily are also very nice and I like them for you in that order for the reasons ash wrote.

One thing I'll add -- I guess it's not a major issue, but something I wonder if you've thought about -- it sounds like this is your first child. Is that right? If so, and if future children are likely, this name will set the tone if you care about sibling sets (I think especially for girls, more than boys). If more of the names you like are classic Elizabeth (or Emily) is a very natural fit, whereas Matilda would be better matched to more quirky and vintage names. Of course, if you don't really care about this feature that much that's fine too! What do you think?

All best!

[lucy12]

But please keep the replies coming, people nothing's final yet and I'm interested to hear a range of opinions. Thanks!

[lucy12]

Thank you for answering
That's a good point about the sibling names. I don't mind too much if they're not in exactly the same style, but they have to sound good together.

My favourite boys' names are Hugo, Oliver and Sam (not that they would necessarily fit with the other names, they're just ones I think). I can see Elizabeth with Oliver or maybe Sam, but maybe not Hugo... I'm not sure. As for future sisters, Elizabeth and Emily could be quite cute. The reason I can't use Matilda if I shorten Elizabeth to Lily is that people are bound to call Matilda "Tilly" for short.... Tilly & Lily is a bit of a problem! So by choosing one of Matilda or Elizabeth, I am pretty much ruling the other name out (except for a middle name - Emily Matilda could be nice for a little sister).

Perhaps the name Matilda would sound nice with a name like Gracie....? Lola?

If I did call this daughter Matilda, I was thinking a possibility would be to nickname her "M" (like "Em"), so I would still get the cute nickname for Emily with a name that seems a little less overdone (not that I don't still love Emily - I do!!!). But I think other people would be likely to call her "Tillie" anyway.

[em_crazynamer]

If she's anything like her parents, then I would definitely go with Elizabeth, nn Lily! The description you gave just seems to suit an Elizabeth, nn Lily, and even if she isn't anything like you or her father, Elizabeth is so versatile it could suit anyone!

My second choice (which was going to be my first choice, until you mentioned the description at the end) is Matilda Sophie. Sooo cute, and the nn Tilly is so cute and quirky, while still being a bit vintage. I think Matilda's more interesting, but I personally prefer Elizabeth, especially with the nn Lily, and I think Elizabeth just sounds perfect for your family! Elizabeth Daisy is really pretty--have you considered Elizabeth Sophie? I like the calming, sweet affect Sophie has on the classic, more austere Elizabeth.

Emily is nice, and very pretty, I agree, but it just seems overdone at the moment and not as interesting as Elizabeth or Matilda.

Good luck!

Emily is so common she will probably be Emily - initial. No kid wants to be an initial. I am an Emma and I was an initial my whole elementary and high school life. That's never fun!!

Elizabeth especially Betsy is outdated and fits best in the middle spot I think.

Matilda is super cute and quirky and fits the characteristics your child will likely possess.

[caroline147]

Elizabeth nn Betsy is adorable! I like Elizabeth nn Lily too, but Lily is so popular and it is a little counterintuitive. Elizabeth is so classic and versatile compared to (in my opinion) overused Emily and trendy Matilda! Elizabeth Daisy is cute, but Elizabeth Sophie really would be perfect.

Good luck

[cuddles4444]

First off I want to say that all of the names you have picked out are gorgeous! I really love every single one of them, but if I would have to pick a favorite I would choose Emily. It may be really popular right now, but personally I think that there is a beauty to this name that will never die out! Matilda and Elizabeth have these too, but Matilda sounds more like an older person name and reminds me of the book Matilda, and there are just so many Elizabeths and different variations of Elizabeths out there also. I have always really loved the name Emily, and I've always loved it with the middle name Grace, but one your list I really love Emily Pearl! I think Pearl is a great unique name that matchs really well with Emily. I hope that I could help you! Good Luck!

[dillonsfan01]

I think Emily is the best of the three!! I think Emily Clara and Emily Catherine would be lovely choices. They seem very classy and sophisticated