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Original poster

Is it boring?

55 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 16:49

Me and hubby have long been idly chatting about potential baby's names and most of his I have vetoed initially but then found them growing on me.

One name he mentioned was Zoe and I immediately ruled it out and said it was too boring. However, after weeks of thinking about it, I now actually really like it!!! I'm still worried that it is a bit plain though?

Our surname only has 1 syllable....so would the name seem too short??

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southeastdweller · 25/08/2013 22:05

Boring? No, it has connotations of a free spirit, someone who's open minded and likes to travel for me. Maybe it's become too linked with Zoe Ball in my mind, I don't know. What interesting names is your hubby preferring?

It's a classic name, class-less and it's not overused and never has been and would go nicely with your surname. I say go for it.

DanicaJones · 25/08/2013 16:20

It's not my favourite

Bowlersarm · 25/08/2013 12:52

Much prefer Zoe to Diana.

Think Zoe works from newborn to pensioner.

In my head my first image of Zoe would be of a cool, pretty teen, or maybe 20 something.

I don't think of a Diana like that, and can't imagine a child called Diana. Of course, if I knew one it may seem more natural.

EnjoyEverySandwich · 25/08/2013 12:46

Diana is one of those names that has never been in or out of fashion. Properly timeless.

EaudeChl0e · 25/08/2013 12:08

I like it! Elise is not so nice. Although I like Eloise, and Elsa. Zoe is lovely. You can't go wrong with that.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 25/08/2013 11:58

I wish he liked the name Diana - it must be due a comeback?!

Grin
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BlueStarsAtNight · 25/08/2013 09:42

I love the way it looks written down, but I do think Zoe Wise is slightly awkward to say with the repeated 'w' sounds. I think that once you've said it often enough though it doesn't feel weird at all. Caroline works really well asa mn too :)

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 25/08/2013 09:36

Arr thanks everyone! The name Elise was only in there to pacify the husband, I have no problems getting rid of it Smile

I will definitely put in on our list of potentials then.

Unfortunately I don't like Chloe, I feel it has been done to the death!

OP posts:
delilah89 · 24/08/2013 21:48

I think it sounds brilliant!!!

EnjoyEverySandwich · 24/08/2013 20:27

And Zoe means 'life' - which together with 'wise' has got to be a lucky name!

TenthMuse · 24/08/2013 20:20

Zoe's my name and I love it! Mine's a one-syllable surname too, and I think it works fine. Agree that it needs a more 'solid' sounding middle name than Elise though, otherwise there are too many vowel sounds. Zoe Caroline/Zoe Catherine etc. work much better I think.

If it helps, I'm a teacher and have only come across two or three primary-aged Zoes in five years - so definitely not too common or boring.

AndWhenYouGetThere · 24/08/2013 18:34

Zoe Caroline Wise is lovely.

I would miss out Elise - though it is a lovely name - Elise Wise is too matchy, written down (and if pronounced "wrongly" audibly too).

FobblyWoof · 24/08/2013 18:28

I really love Zoe. It's on our shortlist for girls. I think it's a good, solid name and goes lovely with your last name.

nooka · 24/08/2013 18:12

I think it works, but not with Elise in the middle. I think it scans really well with Caroline though. Z is a very cool initial - Z C Wise, Zoe C Wise, Zoe Wise. Not boring at all, and Zoe isn't that widely used at the moment.

We have a one syllable surname and dd and I have three syllable names, ds and dh have two syllables. All the names work, in fact even the children's nicknames rhyming with our surname (not intentional) isn't a problem

TallulahBetty · 24/08/2013 17:55

Chloe? Zara?

EnjoyEverySandwich · 24/08/2013 17:11

I like it, it has an almost palindromic sound, if that makes sense. There is the buzzy Z sound at the start and at the end, and the W sound repeated in the middle (there's an "invisible" W in Zo-e).

StrawberryMojito · 24/08/2013 17:10

I mean Zo-e gets pronounced Zo-wee so Zoe Wise doesn't roll off the tongue.

Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 17:09

Do you like Chloe?

StrawberryMojito · 24/08/2013 17:08

It's also the double w sound that makes it sound awkward.

Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 17:08

I think you're over thinking it. Have now said Zoe Wise over and over and I think it sounds good.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 17:05

That's a good point about the 'Z' sounds - maybe that's why it sounded a bit off when I kept saying it to myself....

OP posts:
ZolaBuddleia · 24/08/2013 17:03

I think with Elise you'd be constantly twitchy about people saying Eleez.

For me, Zoe doesn't work with Wise because of the repeated Z sound. [so wouldn't work with mispronounced Elise either]

I love short names.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 17:02

I also like Caroline as a middle name too...

Zoe Elise Caroline Wise.

Perhaps too long now? Smile

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Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 24/08/2013 17:01

Thanks Redcar, I like it because it is simple but also really pretty. I'm not one for 'showy' names but don't want a dull one either.

Middle name would probably be Elise: pronounced with the 'Lise' sound rhyming with 'Peace'.

OP posts:
Bowlersarm · 24/08/2013 16:57

I think it's ok.

Could you give her two middle names to give her name more interest ie so she has three initials then Wise

Z G E Wise for example.

Or a long middle name like Elizabeth so when she writes her name in full the whole thing is quite long.

I sympathise as we had the same problem, and I am drawn to short names.