Hey, what about Daphne? (Or Persephone probably)

They're not as unusual now as people think.

A friend has an 18 month old called Daphne, and another friend has a nearly 4 yo called Persephone. And its not like I have hundreds of friends who have had hundreds of babies. My social circle isn't that enormous!

They're not names that I'd choose, but they're not outlandish. Not sure about one child having both names though, even if there is another name between them!

I associate Daphne with Malory Towers, and Persephone is sweet.

Dislike Daphne (i know 3 dogs with this name) - persephone on the other hand is lovely, feminine and not to childish

Persephone lovely but Daphne reminds me of the girl in scooby doo

honest option - since you asked - I came across a little girl called Daphne the other day and it crossed my mind what a daft name it is - even sounds like daft. But I see that other people may like it. It's in the same ballpark as Ethel, Mabel, Agnes.

I love Persephone, but I think you do need to be really rather posh to pull it off - otherwise it may seem a bit aspirational.

Daphne is one of my favourite flowers and it's ok as a name, but reminds me of the early days of neighbours. Remember Daphne who was married to Des?

What about Felicity or Phoebe?

Interesting - on other threads the weight of opinion is usually that one shouldn't be put off a name because (implied o sometimes stated) ignorant people won't know how to pronounce it, with the rider that anyone at all considerate will immediately learn the correct way (or in the case of names with more than one option, your preferred way).

So you might have educate people about how it's said.

I think it's a gorgeous name.

Daphne is OK, provided your don't ever have a Rupert as well!

I lor Persephone and I love sephy as a nn. I will be extremely jealous because DP has already vetoed it and we aren't even pregnant

Sorry, more Daff-uh-knee than er-knee

Do you say Daff-knee or Daff-er-knee? Saying it next to Persephone is making me put an extra syllable in it I think.

Persephone is infinitely preferable to Daphne (and the less said about Daff, the better) and Seph/Sephy/Sephie is infinitely preferable to Percy/Percie Seriously.

I have a Persephone. She's Seph, Sephie or Sephers for short.

It is a ridiculously pretentious and OTT name, but then she's a ridiculously beautiful and individual child, so; she suits it perfectly.

Persephone sounds a bit pretentious to me - but I suppose it depends on your background. Daphne sounds OK; I still hear it as an old ladies name but, as it is about the same vintage Ruby, it may be due for a comeback. Persephone Daphne though is an absolute no no. Even with another name between. Persephone Louise Daphne? Persephone Rose Daphne? What possible middle name could make it sound right?

I'm not keen on Daphne - I don't like the Daff part. And you cannot call a girl Daffy or Daffers!

I do love Persephone - very elegant and classy. I know one and don't think people pronounce it wrongly, although she is mostly know as Sephie. Lots of names have various (wrong) pronunciations but people learn pretty quickly, don't they?

too keen (damn the perfectionist in me)

I have a very lovely 9 month-old human (Mme Lindor) Daphne, and we all love the name. Not to keen on Daffers, which dh very occasionally calls her! NNs I use are Fifi, NeeNee ( also a nod to my late grandma Enid who was always known as Nina)and Daffodil

there'll be another name in the middle as we're aware that together they are a bit of a mouthful

:o:o:o That's given me a good laugh, anyway. Good night.

Percyfilth there'll be another name in the middle as we're aware that together they are a bit if a mouthful. It's not like everyone says their whole name the whole time, do they? I'm not sure how your comment helps the OP.

Persis is a lovely name too though.

I am so glad to see so many people in favour of Daphne. I have been predicting a renaissance of the name for several years now (ever since we called our dog Daphne, and I realised that I would have used it for a baby, if I had another).

Have to admit that I would have pronounced it Percy-Phone and don't have a clue to the correct pronunciation.

I have a Persephone.. she's 3 months old. We called her Sephy from when she was a bump. It was Sephy we fell in love with... I think it's lovely. I have to be honest and say I'm not 100% with 'Persephone' but we LOVED Sephy. She's a wonderful baby girl :)

Having Perser-phone called out in a busy chemist was quite embarrassing. Everyone seemed to turn thinking 'What?'.

I love love love Daphne and it's a strong contender for when I have a daughter. I don't see why the myth is a problem for Persephone (I've always loved the story myself) but its such a mouthful I think.

Oh my! I really don't like either of them! Sorry. Both quite ugly names.

Persephone Daphne? Poor kid.

Persis Daphne would be a lot more user-friendly.

Both names are on our short-list, especially as Daphne was my grandmother's name. I think they're great. We're looking at Persephone as a first name (with Persie as a nickname) and Daphne will definitely be a middle name - if we have a girl. My grandmother's friends called her by her full name or Daf.

It's such a shame when people criticise an unusual name because it's unusual and suggest more common names instead. I have an unusual name and love the fact that I only have to use my first name when I'm on the phone, or introducing myself to people, and they always remember who I am.

There are so many different names out there that even if people don't get the classical reference and mis-pronounce it once, you/your daughter can correct them and they'll get it right after a few tries.

I think the myth around Persephone also has some strong positives - the strength of a mother's love, the lusciousness of the pomegranate, etc. I've loved the romantic sweep of it since I was a child and always wanted to call my little girl this name. My husband thinks it's romantic, feminine and rolls off the tongue beautifully.

Go for it OP.

Daphne is incredibly ugly. Persephone has a nice sound,but the pronunciation issues would put me off.

I love Daphne. If we ever have a DD, that's what she'll be.