Thoughts on this "made-up" name

alliejo725

Now I know I haven't been on this board in a while, but it hasn't been so long that I've forgotten the general consensus on made-up names.

However, here's an old family name I submit for your scrutiny:

Ensie.

It was my great-grandmother's name. She was supposed to be named Elsie, but the nurse at the hospital made a typo, and her family decided to go with it.

Obviously, it's quite made-up (though on accident). However, I don't think it's totally illegitimate sounding, especially given some of the names you can find the on SSA list from that time period.

So what do you think? Would you consider it? Ditch it? Do you like the sound of it, or do you think it's odd?

I kind of like it's quaint, old-fashioned feel.

sunnyday016

Eh, it's not something I "like", but I don't think it's awful. Much better than anything with a K and a Y in it.

forensicmama

I do love old names found on SSA... my favorite so far is Edythe.

Ensie kind of sounds like a female version of Enzo, which I like. You're right that it sounds old fashioned. And it has a family history to it while not sounding too "out there".

strangebird

Based on sound alone, it's not horrible, but not something I would personally consider. It sounds a bit like a nickname for Enzo or another masculine name to me, rather than a feminine given name.

That said, I'm not opposed to invented names, so I wouldn't toss it out for that reason alone. If you like it, there's really no reason you shouldn't consider it. 

My one piece of advice is to consider it as a nickname for a more complete name. It doesn't really sound like a professional/mature name to me.

braveangel2

A question...

Would you plan on using Ensie as her everyday name...or rather, this is what you would call her regardless of what's the on the birth certificate.

Family names are tough because they get more of a vote from me...usually. I see a few issues with this name. It's nick-namey and cutesie for one. The IE ending makes it perpetually 5 years old to me.

I could see handling this name a few different ways. You could name her an EN name and a Z middle name, and use Ensie as a nick name. You could make Ensie her middle name, you could also do an N first name and a Z middle name and use Ensie as a nick name. Or you could just use Ensie as her name and call it good.

MrsVo

I like it, but agree that it isn't a name I can picture as an adult - for the record I consider Elsie in the same category even though it is an old name.  I would perhaps consider something that can have Ensie as a nickname.

sugarpumpkin716

i like the cute anecdote! i think it's really odd, but who am i to judge someone else's taste? 

Phillychickadee

My first thought was Ensie Weensie spider....

But if it was a family name and you want to honor that family member, no one can fault you there!   I really like the name Elsie, though, so that is a little more mainstream without being over popular and it could honor your grandmother as that was supposed to be her name. I think that would be a neat story!

KMac2784

I like it!

onelittlemonkey

It sounds like the end of Mackenzie.  Do they pronounce it with more of an "s" sound?  Because I would pronounce it with more of a "z" sound.  It's not horrible, but it sounds like nick name to me.

alliejo725

onelittlemonkey:

It sounds like the end of Mackenzie.  Do they pronounce it with more of an "s" sound?  Because I would pronounce it with more of a "z" sound.  It's not horrible, but it sounds like nick name to me.

It's pronounced with an S, not a Z. I didn't even think how that would be a pronunciation issue, though. Thanks for raising that question!

alliejo725

braveangel2:

A question...

Would you plan on using Ensie as her everyday name...or rather, this is what you would call her regardless of what's the on the birth certificate.

Family names are tough because they get more of a vote from me...usually. I see a few issues with this name. It's nick-namey and cutesie for one. The IE ending makes it perpetually 5 years old to me.

I could see handling this name a few different ways. You could name her an EN name and a Z middle name, and use Ensie as a nick name. You could make Ensie her middle name, you could also do an N first name and a Z middle name and use Ensie as a nick name. Or you could just use Ensie as her name and call it good.

Well, my initial thought would be to just name her Ensie, but I do see how it would be a little too nickname-y.

I'm not quite sure what it could be a NN for, but I could do a little research on En- names and see what I find.

Since it's pronounce ehn-SEE, the Z middle name thing doesn't work quite as well, but I suppose it could.

Thanks for your thoughts. It's given me something to consider, and talk over with DH.

bringonthechaos

Chiming in kinda late... But wanted to say that I love it!  And especially love the family history!  Love Love Love it!  Whatever you decided... best wishes!

HarperM

I actually really like it.