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I don’t think it’s particularly “controversial” I guess some people don’t like traditionally male names being used on girls, especially as then they become considered as too feminine to be used on boys anymore as happened for instance to Ashley.
Not sure why it's controversial but I think people use it on girls because of the nickname Ellie and because the "ott" ending feels unisex or feminine to English speakers because of various "t" girl name endings like Charlotte, Scarlett, Annette, Elisabet, Harriet, Bridget, Bernadette, etc.
This message was edited 6/5/2025, 6:15 PM
I despise Elliott for a girl. It's an all boy name in my opinion.
Bluntly, I find it intensely ugly on a girl. It's got such a masculine sound and masculine connotation. I don't much care for it on a boy, but I really dislike it on a girl.
Boy moms in particular are very protective of "masculine" names and don't want to see other people's daughters with male names, let alone their own. They have some rather antiquated views. Aside from that, some people just think that surnames make terrible first names, that they're ugly or sound better on males.
I like Elliott for both genders. To me, it sounds like Elly, and I usually like names containing Ell. I wouldn't name a girl that though, because I don't want her to be mistaken for a boy on paper, nor do I want anyone to assume that Elliott is her last name or my maiden name.
I like Elliott for both genders. To me, it sounds like Elly, and I usually like names containing Ell. I wouldn't name a girl that though, because I don't want her to be mistaken for a boy on paper, nor do I want anyone to assume that Elliott is her last name or my maiden name.
Elliott is a surname and therefore unisex. There's nothing wrong with naming a girl Elliott. I guess the fact that it's not inherently feminine is off-putting to people who like very girly names. To each their own.
I find it to be feminine but also a definite boy name. I would say I like it on boys and not girls, but I would describe it as "feminine" and not "masculine" if I had to pick one of those as an adjective.
I would consider a girl named Elliott to have a "boy name" but I don't think it sounds masculine at all.
I would consider a girl named Elliott to have a "boy name" but I don't think it sounds masculine at all.
I know exactly what you mean! I call them "soft boy names." I actually love those :D I have daughters, but my boy list was all names with softer sounds and vowel endings.
agree 100%!
Are you asking why people name their daughters Elliott, or why people don’t like the name Elliott for girls?
Yes
Haha. Fair enough. I have a friend who named their daughter Elliott Mae. Not similar to names I like, but I think it’s cute, and as far as they’ve said they just liked the sound of the name. I think where the last syllable (in my region) is pronounced the same as “-ette” it can sound feminine, in the same vein as Scarlette, Violet, Bridget or Yvette.
I think a reason why people might not like it is that it’s very trendy. It follows the surnames as given names trend, which people seem to especially dislike on girls. It follows the “male-to-female” trend which is also highly polarizing. Also, the name has come to be associated with Canadian TV star Elliot Page, who in 2020 came out as transgender and transitioned genders. I think someone who transitions publicly is also unfortunately very polarizing, which could lead to further stigma.
I think a reason why people might not like it is that it’s very trendy. It follows the surnames as given names trend, which people seem to especially dislike on girls. It follows the “male-to-female” trend which is also highly polarizing. Also, the name has come to be associated with Canadian TV star Elliot Page, who in 2020 came out as transgender and transitioned genders. I think someone who transitions publicly is also unfortunately very polarizing, which could lead to further stigma.
There is a female Elliot in Scrubs, I always thought that was one of the reasons for Elliot’s popularity.