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Baby names

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

Original poster

Orfeas

31 replies

Elenaki · 10/04/2012 09:50

Bear with me here.

I'm interested to know how a few 'foreign' sounding names strike English speaking ears. DP is Greek but has been in London for years now after coming here as a student. I'm English but speak Greek as a second language so am submerged in the sounds and 'feeling' of Greek names...such that I've lost all objectivity. Help!

We'd like to give the DC that we're trying for a Greek name that - either has an English equivalent/nn or is comprehensible as they go through school in England. Here's our list

Boys
Alexandros/Alexander
Orfeas (said or-FAY-as) - I am particularly curios about this one as DP loves it
Rafail/Rafael (any Greek mnetters out there - this is quite uncommon on the mainland, right?)
Leonidas/Leo

Girls
Ines (LOVE this)
Anastasia (his mother's name)
Rafaella
Nefeli

Would really appreciate your opinions!

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Original poster
Elenaki · 10/04/2012 10:08

Aaah! I didn't know Orpheus is an X-Men character! Like Anxious, I was also thinking of Orpheus/Orfeas and Eurydice or just the name, which is in general use in Greece in any case. Oh gosh, i've basically got a list of characters - what with Leonidas there too.

Regarding Orfeas. If spelt Orpheus, are we going to be forever battling against the assumption that we've picked it as a 'trendy' or made-up seeming name?

Any other ideas for Greek/Greek rooted boys names?

OP posts:
AnxiousPanxious · 10/04/2012 10:02

I was thinking of Orpheus and Eurydice Blush
Eurydice is nice too [helpful]

Stellan · 10/04/2012 10:02

Orpheus is a more intuitive spelling for Brits.

Momdeguerre · 10/04/2012 09:59

Ines is lovely as is Anastasia. I know a little Rafael, it's a lovely name. I know Orpheus is an X Men cartoon character and this would put me off it a bit.

AnxiousPanxious · 10/04/2012 09:53

But think about spelling, there are some you've spelled in a 'foreign' way and though it doesn't really matter, you'll get a lot fewer mix ups if you spell them more classically.

AnxiousPanxious · 10/04/2012 09:53

I'd spell Orfeas as Orpheus and I know people who'd happily name their child this, though others would roll an eye.
Raphael is not unheard of

I love Ines as well
Nefeli is lovely though I've never heard of it.

Just go for it - there's nothing on the list that's really odd sounding.

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