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Baby names

Is it boring?

55 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 16:49

Me and hubby have long been idly chatting about potential baby's names and most of his I have vetoed initially but then found them growing on me.

One name he mentioned was Zoe and I immediately ruled it out and said it was too boring. However, after weeks of thinking about it, I now actually really like it!!! I'm still worried that it is a bit plain though?

Our surname only has 1 syllable....so would the name seem too short??

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Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 16:51

No because Zoe is two syllables.

How many letters in your last name?

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Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 16:52

Sorry that was unclear....I mean I don't think it is too short.

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Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 16:53

Our surname is Wise. I'm just worried it doesn't sound right??

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redcaryellowcar · 24/08/2013 16:56

Think its very nice, I prefer shorter names which can't be made too much shorter, so would be looking for something no longer than two syllables for dc2.

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BikeRunSki · 24/08/2013 16:57

My sister is Zoe and our family nane is only one syllable. Never been a problem. As long as you have something other than Eve/May in the middle. My sister has 2 x 3 syllable middle names .

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Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 16:57

I think it's ok.

Could you give her two middle names to give her name more interest ie so she has three initials then Wise

Z G E Wise for example.

Or a long middle name like Elizabeth so when she writes her name in full the whole thing is quite long.

I sympathise as we had the same problem, and I am drawn to short names.

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Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 17:01

Thanks Redcar, I like it because it is simple but also really pretty. I'm not one for 'showy' names but don't want a dull one either.

Middle name would probably be Elise: pronounced with the 'Lise' sound rhyming with 'Peace'.

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Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 17:02

I also like Caroline as a middle name too...

Zoe Elise Caroline Wise.

Perhaps too long now? Smile

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ZolaBuddleia · 24/08/2013 17:03

I think with Elise you'd be constantly twitchy about people saying Eleez.

For me, Zoe doesn't work with Wise because of the repeated Z sound. [so wouldn't work with mispronounced Elise either]

I love short names.

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Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 17:05

That's a good point about the 'Z' sounds - maybe that's why it sounded a bit off when I kept saying it to myself....

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Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 17:08

I think you're over thinking it. Have now said Zoe Wise over and over and I think it sounds good.

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StrawberryMojito · 24/08/2013 17:08

It's also the double w sound that makes it sound awkward.

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Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 17:09

Do you like Chloe?

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StrawberryMojito · 24/08/2013 17:10

I mean Zo-e gets pronounced Zo-wee so Zoe Wise doesn't roll off the tongue.

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EnjoyEverySandwich · 24/08/2013 17:11

I like it, it has an almost palindromic sound, if that makes sense. There is the buzzy Z sound at the start and at the end, and the W sound repeated in the middle (there's an "invisible" W in Zo-e).

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TallulahBetty · 24/08/2013 17:55

Chloe? Zara?

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nooka · 24/08/2013 18:12

I think it works, but not with Elise in the middle. I think it scans really well with Caroline though. Z is a very cool initial - Z C Wise, Zoe C Wise, Zoe Wise. Not boring at all, and Zoe isn't that widely used at the moment.

We have a one syllable surname and dd and I have three syllable names, ds and dh have two syllables. All the names work, in fact even the children's nicknames rhyming with our surname (not intentional) isn't a problem

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FobblyWoof · 24/08/2013 18:28

I really love Zoe. It's on our shortlist for girls. I think it's a good, solid name and goes lovely with your last name.

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AndWhenYouGetThere · 24/08/2013 18:34

Zoe Caroline Wise is lovely.


I would miss out Elise - though it is a lovely name - Elise Wise is too matchy, written down (and if pronounced "wrongly" audibly too).

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TenthMuse · 24/08/2013 20:20

Zoe's my name and I love it! Mine's a one-syllable surname too, and I think it works fine. Agree that it needs a more 'solid' sounding middle name than Elise though, otherwise there are too many vowel sounds. Zoe Caroline/Zoe Catherine etc. work much better I think.

If it helps, I'm a teacher and have only come across two or three primary-aged Zoes in five years - so definitely not too common or boring.

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EnjoyEverySandwich · 24/08/2013 20:27

And Zoe means 'life' - which together with 'wise' has got to be a lucky name!

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delilah89 · 24/08/2013 21:48

I think it sounds brilliant!!!

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Writerwannabe83 · 25/08/2013 09:36

Arr thanks everyone! The name Elise was only in there to pacify the husband, I have no problems getting rid of it Smile

I will definitely put in on our list of potentials then.

Unfortunately I don't like Chloe, I feel it has been done to the death!

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BlueStarsAtNight · 25/08/2013 09:42

I love the way it looks written down, but I do think Zoe Wise is slightly awkward to say with the repeated 'w' sounds. I think that once you've said it often enough though it doesn't feel weird at all. Caroline works really well asa mn too :)

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Writerwannabe83 · 25/08/2013 11:58

I wish he liked the name Diana - it must be due a comeback?!

Grin

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