Hester.....yea or nay?

[daisy_dee]

First of all, I just need to say that I don't know whether Peep will be a boy or a girl, and unless it becomes really obvious at the 20 week scan, it's going to remain a surprise until he or she gets here.

I'm considering the name Hester for a girl, as it's an old family name, and has a nice meaning (it comes from the Greek for star). It would please my dear old mum, who is gravely ill, and whose great great grandmother was the last Hester in the family line, although there were four or five before her. A name in long use in our family then.

I am a fan of 'proper' names, and that's where my worry comes in. Is it, do you think, a little too old fashioned? A check on some baby names sites shows that Hester dropped out of popular use back in the Sixties. Still, it'd be quite uncommon today at least...no chance of anyone shouting for Hester and having six girls come running up

 

[linadee25]

The book 'A Prayer for Owen Meanie' features a character called Hester..... its an amazing book incidently that everyone should read if they get the chance.
Unfortunately, the character is dubbed with the nickname "Hester the Molester" as she is a bit of an over sexed teenage girl. When I saw your post this was the first thing I thought of so.... sorry, personally I don't like it. However you have lovely reasons for wanting to use it! X

 

[Mosnippy]

hiya... when i hear the name hester...i immediatley older more mature ladies...not one you can see a baby having..which is silly really cause all hester's started as babies?
im not to keen on it but your reasons are lovely for wanting to keep it in the family...maybe have it as a second name? just never use polly has first name!

 

[pinklizzy]

I love it! I had a friend called Hester when I was little and it's a really pretty name.

 

[Mazzy]

I think of Hester Prynne in the Scarlet Letter...

HOWEVER: I think it's a lovely name, and since it is so long out of usage/popularity, you're little girl could make it new again.

 

[daisy_dee]

hiya... when i hear the name hester...i immediatley older more mature ladies...not one you can see a baby having..which is silly really cause all hester's started as babies?
im not to keen on it but your reasons are lovely for wanting to keep it in the family...maybe have it as a second name? just never use polly has first name!

Bahahaa! That's something that never occurred to me. Polly Hester - I don't think I will do that!

 

[ZoMo]

I like the unique-ness of it but am not keen on the name itself, sorry! For some reason though I do like Esther (but spelled Ester / Esta as I think it is prettier).

 

[Sanibel]

It seems more middle name-ish to me.

 

[Jimmysrabbit]

I think it it a beautiful, traditional name.

 

[bassdesire]

I think of Hester Prynne in the Scarlet Letter...

HOWEVER: I think it's a lovely name, and since it is so long out of usage/popularity, you're little girl could make it new again.

Me, too... Strange literary connections for me personally...

 

[Bartness]

I gotta say I really really do not like it. But Im from the US, and that name is really oldfashined and associated with little old ladies that are rude.

but hey if you like it, go for it! It doesnt matter if other people dont like it, all that matters if you like it or not!