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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Philomena

32 replies

Afropop · 15/02/2012 19:35

DH likes Phili/Phily/Phil for a girl
I like Mena

And I think it goes with a french surname.

So what do you think?

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Rhubarbgarden · 12/03/2012 21:03

I like it but it's a bit long.

RedFlagFlying · 12/03/2012 19:56

old Irish granny in my world, but quite sweet!

ragged · 12/03/2012 19:53

I know one (must be turning 4 just about now, spelt with the ph). I cringed when I first heard it (sorry). No hint of nn.
Other people seem to like it ok.

PrincessPrecious · 12/03/2012 18:54

Squoosh that's so funny! I know three ladies at church like that but they are all called Maureen. I still like Philomena though, probably because I know a nice young nonspinsterlike Philomena - also because it means 'daughter of light' and Saint Philomena suffered torture rather than renounce her Christian faith and marry the horrible Roman emporer of the time.

mathanxiety · 12/03/2012 17:08

I think it would come off as more exotic in France than in Ireland. It is definitely not exotic in Ireland...

LondonNadiy · 12/03/2012 15:41

I love Philomena, there's a school near where I grew up call St Philomenas (or Phillys), horrid skirts but I still love the name!! DP hates it :( but I think go with it, especially with a French surname.

You never know, you could call her Ivy Blue and she could become an overactive church spinster. My aunt Rosi is a nun and I knew a Sister Sara but they're not nun names! Point is, don't let the fact that nuns have been called it put you off!

mayanna123 · 12/03/2012 13:13

squoosh, I'm not Irish and can't therefore share your associations, funny as they may be .

mayanna123 · 12/03/2012 12:57

I like Philomena a lot - classic, feminine, sounds good in most languages and has lots of nicknames. And not overused (as so many names are these days) - what's not to like?!

catinboots · 12/03/2012 12:53

Squoosh - you have summed it up beautifully. In all my years on MN that is one of only a very few posts that have actually made me Laugh Out Loud

FlipFantasia · 12/03/2012 12:48

at Squoosh

NeshBugger · 12/03/2012 12:04

I know it's not the same name exactly, but the Philomel myth would put me right off.

3boysgirlontheway · 12/03/2012 12:01

I agree with Squoosh :)

pilates · 12/03/2012 12:00

sorry no likey

squoosh · 12/03/2012 11:55

or filthy even

squoosh · 12/03/2012 11:55

I?m Irish and I also think Philomena is a foul name.

If she?s not a nun then she?ll be a spinster who is ?very active in the church?. She goes to confession every day, climbs Croagh Patrick in her bare feet and has flthy dreams about the parish priest. She will have elaborate plans to bump off any other spinster ladies, i.e. Majella, Theresa and Assumpta who give ?her? priest the glad eye.

PrincessPrecious · 11/03/2012 23:00

I know a Filomena. She is early 20s and has Italian parents. Never had any problems at school and friends called her Fil but now is known by her full name. I am of Irish background and intend to use it if we have another girl. Will spell it with a Ph, not an F though. Yes I know a few Irish grannies with this name too but so what the name is still lovely in my opinion.

Clawdy · 16/02/2012 21:34

My granny was Rose Ann Philomena. I now think they are all beautiful names. And Mena is very different.

lilolilmanchester · 16/02/2012 20:57

I can't see beyond the tramp called Philomena Flanagan who "lived" around our hall of residence when we were students.

Trying to be objective.... think it would work well with a french surname, but you'd have to be happy with all the potential shortened versions... you can pick the one you both like now, but her pals will ultimately decide as she gets older.

Original poster

Afropop · 16/02/2012 20:53

Hmmm, thanks
(interesting about ireland- guess my granny will raise a few eyebrows but don't mind that)
The nun thing may be a sticking point- but then you get nuns called Mary (maybe we should just call DC Mary-Patrick and be done with it)

The hunt continues

OP posts:

AThingInYourLife · 16/02/2012 07:19

Hideous, just awful.

A religion teacher with a moustache who tells you sex before marriage is a sin.

coronet · 16/02/2012 07:15

I think it's elegant - I know a woman in her 60s called this. She's very beautiful and is always called by her full name.

sashh · 16/02/2012 06:39

I went to schoool with one, I like it, she haed it.

OoopsWeDidItAgain · 15/02/2012 21:04

I know a Filomena ..... she's a very lovely Italian lady.

Love your suggestion of nn Mena - would never dare shorten it to anything with this lady though

bibbitybobbityhat · 15/02/2012 20:50

Love it. Brilliant name. I have only ever met one Philomena (she was Irish) and everyone called her Phil.

Mrsmonkfish · 15/02/2012 20:48

I agree it's a bit of a nun's name. Apart from that, there's nothing wrong with it. I had a friend at university called Phil (short for ...) as for all the other nnames .... well, you can make connections to anything if you try hard enough - I'm just not buying the Phil-Philly-Filly-horse thing! Do kids really operate at that number of removes?

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