Portia

[Eliii]

What does everyone think of the name Portia?

I love it. But I'm not sure if I'm brave enough.

[ancientbuchanan]

I love it too.

She might be nnd porter and she will have to explain where it comes from. But a few people are beginning to use it now. Give her a more usual middle name so she can change later if she wants. But bet she won't. Eg Elizabeth, Margaret, Jane, Rosalind, Annabel, .

If not Portia ( but please do), then how about Perdita? Or Persis? Pamela?

[Eliii]

Thanks ancient. It's gorgeous isn't it.

Other names on our our list are Viola, Phoebe (see the unintentional Shakesperean theme!) and Claudia.

[ancientbuchanan]

Oh I love Phoebe too,
And like Claudia too.

Nerissa
Rosalind/ ine
Juliet
Imogen
Hermione
Cordelia/ Cornelia
Celia
Jessica
Viola much more unusual than Olivia, but she'll get the dreadful viola jokes is she's in an orchestra....

[winterhat]

I don't like it. Porsche (makes it sound like arrogant), porch, portly.

[Only1scoop]

I think it sounds a tad pretentious .... Like your other choices though.

[Eliii]

I agree it can sound pretentious. That's why I'm not sure.

I feel it doesn't really suit a tiny baby either, I doubt that when she's born I will look at her at think yep, Portia. If I was to call her that it would be a name that she will grow into.

[DolomitesDonkey]

It's beautiful - but do you live in a gated historical house in the home counties or a semi in Northampton? Will it pass the doorstop test? What if she can't balance a book in her blonde head but instead climbs trees in primarni? Tbh I'd use it - come devil what may - but then I am contrary!

[PotteringAlong]

Phoebe, yes.
Claudia, yes.

Portia, no.

[fideline]

I like it.

[fideline]

[thegreatgatsby101]

Similar camp to Hugo for me. Not unpleasant but slightly try hard.
It is pretty though.

[tammytoby]

I like it, it looks pretty.

I'm less keen on Claudia due to its meaning.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Apart from suffering the occasional "Did you name her after the car" comment I can't think of any reason not to use it. Phoebe is lovely apart from the shortened 'Feebs'.

[winterhat]

Seems to work fine for Portia de Rossi though.

[tammytoby]

But the Italian name Portia has no connection to the German car maker Porsche! I don't get that association.

[RonaldMcDonald]

Portia is great

[winterhat]

But the Italian name Portia has no connection to the German car maker Porsche!

It's the sound of Porsche, rather than its meaning, which sounds like Porsche-a.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

But the Italian name Portia has no connection to the German car maker Porsche!

Of course it doesn't, but on hearing it, pronounced properly, that's what some think of.

[JohnGilpinsWife]

It's a terrific name. It would never cross my mind to make the 'Porsche' connection. People either know their Shakespeare, or they don't. If they don't, it's their loss. And agree with winterhat - Portia de Rossi has broken the ground. Go for it.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

Sorry I think it sounds pretentious too. In the she'd have to own a horse and have a brother called Hugo camp. Which I'm aware is a slightly ridiculous assumption but there you go.

Claudia and Phoebe are nice.

[Bowlersarm]

Portia is great.

Go for it.

[tammytoby]

I like Portia! Great underused classic!

Nothing to do with Porsche and I'd pronounce them slightly differently anyway.

[MerryWinterfel]

Also love Lydia and Julia, similar Roman names. I think the car connection would put me off though, they are pronounced the same arnt they?

[Oriunda]

I'm a Shakespeare fan, so I thnk Portia is great.