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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Hedda

38 replies

Whitetara · 04/03/2015 19:23

Hi
Hb is very keen on Hedda as in Hedda Gabler for our baby's name. My concern is that many people will not get the literary/theatrical connection and I'm worried she'd be teased as it sounds like header as in football.

What do you reckon?

OP posts:

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florascotia · 04/03/2015 20:04

Don't know if this is relevant (or mentioned in the play) but Hedda is usually thought of as a short form of Hedwig/Hedvig.
Other short forms include Hedy, as in famous actress - an inventor! - Hedy Lamarr.

Blondie87 · 04/03/2015 20:07

I think most people will get the Ibsen link.

VixxFace · 04/03/2015 20:07

Its bad because of the football reference and also oral sex is often called head.

scarletforya · 04/03/2015 20:08

I immediately thought 'header' which is slang for mentally ill person where I'm from.

Only1scoop · 04/03/2015 20:08

It makes me think of footie or giving head....

Awful

Pico2 · 04/03/2015 20:12

I was under the illusion that I was fairly well educated/informed. I have never heard of Hedda Gabler and just thought football.

Murdermysteryreader · 04/03/2015 20:15

As soon as I saw Hedda I got the literary reference, but would you really want this given what happens to her in the play? Hardly a positive role model?

Chillyegg · 04/03/2015 20:16

Yeah I thought football...
Have you thought about Heena?

BOFster · 04/03/2015 20:19

I immediately thought of Hedda Hopper, the famously vicious gossip columnist of Old Hollywood. Not a particularly positive association.

Then again, there's nothing to stop your daughter creating other, much lovelier, associations for other people. Use it if you love it.

Gunpowder · 04/03/2015 20:20

I would think Ibsen, but I think it's like Ophelia or Antigone, if you get the literary reference it has a negative association!

ScaryChicken · 04/03/2015 20:53

I've never heard of Ibsen or Hedda and don't particularly like the "sound" of the name.

Sorry

Whitetara · 04/03/2015 21:56

Thanks guys. I think you are right. I don't much like it either but it's interesting to see what people's initial reactions would be should she be given that name and wondered if my gut instinct was right.

My current votes are for Talia (Tali) or Saskia though being girl no 3 I can't seem to love any name. I'm 35 weeks so need to get into gear.

OP posts:

Sophronia · 04/03/2015 21:59

How about Hedy instead? Like Hedy Lamarr.

Allalonenow · 04/03/2015 22:02

Saskia is so lovely, do pick that

BigRedBall · 04/03/2015 22:05

What about Heidi? Or there's an Arabic name Hadia that I think is quite pretty.

SolomanDaisy · 04/03/2015 22:12

I think it's a lovely name, but people who recognise will wonder why you would pick Hedda Gabler to name your child after.

Corygal · 04/03/2015 22:18

She commits suicide after a grim life of oppression. Is yr DH a header?

Whitetara · 04/03/2015 22:21

I have thought of Heidi but I'm a bit undecided. Hubby's favourite play is Hedda Gabler which is why he so wants it. I'm trying to fight my corner for a no! Trouble is we can't agree on any this time round. If you'd all come back with an "actually it's alright" type response I might have reconsidered.

I'm Jewish and ideally I'd like to come up with something reflective of that but not religious (frum) sounding if that makes sense. Not that there's anything wrong with that but it's just not for us.

OP posts:

MsQueenie22 · 04/03/2015 22:26

Miriam might be good for you? Has lots of cutie nn possibilities - Miri, Mim, Mimi.
Means " wished for child" in Hebrew.

bullseyebraces · 04/03/2015 22:27

If you don't love it I would put Hedda firmly in the middle name slot, depending on how much you want to be nice to DH. Hedwig is better though.

Paintedpinksapphires · 04/03/2015 22:27

I've always thought that it was a pretty name but the associations with the play aren't positive (it's his favourite play??? )

However if you both like it go for it, she'll make her own associations.

Teladi · 04/03/2015 22:31

Sarina?

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SolomanDaisy · 04/03/2015 22:35

Isn't the other main female character Thea? She has less of a depressing end.

Whitetara · 04/03/2015 22:37

Miriam is one of the others on my list. It was my grandmothers name, so yes that one is a possibility for me anyway. I've never heard of Sarina. Will have to google that one.

OP posts:

Teladi · 04/03/2015 22:38

This is going to sound terribly insular (I'm not from a very diverse place!) but I only know a few Jewish girls and one of them is called Sarina. I understand it is a Hebrew name and I just thought it was nice. I thought of it when you said you liked Saskia.

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