Ellen is the one that comes to mind first (m)
in reply to a message by Viatrix
And it's a mystery to me why it isn't more popular. It's very familiar but was never really wildly popular. It has the ell sound like the much more common Ella and Eleanor. It has the stylish len/lyn sound at the end.
I have a friend named Ellen who is in her early fifties. She's very stylish, funny, and kind (as is her husband Bill; two of my favorite people.) To me, her name fits her to a t. She told me once she was almost named Judy, but a cousin was given the name a few months beforehand and so she got Ellen. The plan was that she was to be named Judy Ellen (or maybe Judith Ellen, I forget which, if she even said which) but this cousin was something like Judith Ann or Judy Lynn, so my friend's parents just used Ellen.
I have a friend named Ellen who is in her early fifties. She's very stylish, funny, and kind (as is her husband Bill; two of my favorite people.) To me, her name fits her to a t. She told me once she was almost named Judy, but a cousin was given the name a few months beforehand and so she got Ellen. The plan was that she was to be named Judy Ellen (or maybe Judith Ellen, I forget which, if she even said which) but this cousin was something like Judith Ann or Judy Lynn, so my friend's parents just used Ellen.
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It's no secret that I love Ellen. Your description of your friend makes me smile. She sounds so sweet. That's how I imagine an Ellen.
This message was edited 9/12/2014, 1:49 AM
Ellen is my stepmom's name, and she's in her late forties (which is really the only age group where I've encountered the name). You're right, it's a bit suspicious that Ellen hasn't really caught on with the new baby generation, given its "liquid" quality. Although... there is a baby girl at my church named Ellyn Olivia (given the Ellyn spelling because that's the name of the town she's from).
Analyn Ellen isn't a very euphonious combo if anybody asked me.
I agree. I have often wondered why it isn't more popular.
I think it is classy, strong and elegant. Plus, it is simple and recognizable.
I think it is classy, strong and elegant. Plus, it is simple and recognizable.
I think it's meh. Not bad, but not terribly great either. I knew an Ellen in college, who was my age, so in her mid-fifties now. Also knew one in high school, a little older than me, so fifties again. It was in the top hundred from 1880 through 1961, with the exception of a few years during that time when it dipped down into the low 100s. So it's never really been an uncommon name, and I think the reason you don't see it nowadays is the same reason you don't see Barbara or Susan or Donna on babies or children--it's dated.