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Baby names

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

Original poster

Aphra

39 replies

VainVulva · 19/09/2014 14:45

Came across this name recently and it's really starting to grow on me.

When I suggested it to dh and dm they both said that she would get called Afro (likely also that this dd will have a head of curls)

But I said it again today to my dh and he said it is starting to grow on him.

What is the mumsnet consensus, do you like it? Is it ripe for teasing? What category would you put it in? I want an artsy/quirky name!

Thanks x

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Original poster
VainVulva · 22/09/2014 18:57

Cherrybomb it actually goes really well, I'm really anal about these things Smile

OP posts:
manicinsomniac · 22/09/2014 16:34

I really like it.

And it's definitely artsy/quirky

cherrybombxo · 22/09/2014 15:48

Both names have a "ph"? Hmm, that might look a bit funny written down. The name isn't to my taste but I'm glad you've both agreed on something you love.

missingwordsround · 22/09/2014 11:48

congratulations vain !

Original poster
VainVulva · 21/09/2014 13:10

Myself and dh were talking and he just said out of the blue I think Aphra will be the name.....I couldn't believe it.

I think we have our name Grin Grin Grin

It also goes so well with surname which has a ph in it.

OP posts:
GreatAuntDinah · 21/09/2014 06:39

Would definitely have used it but DH is French so it was too like affreux (awful).

cautiouslyoptimistic · 20/09/2014 21:59

Love it!

Allalonenow · 20/09/2014 12:47

I like it very much, and like the link with Aphra Behn too.

1805 · 20/09/2014 12:43

I think just because it is different. Also maybe because I had to ask twice when I first heard her say it. She sort of rolled her eyes when she said it for the second time. I asked her where such a cool name was from and she said "dunno, my mum and dad are just weird"!!!!!! "I hate it".

She is a popular girl though. Just fed up with her name! I guess it becomes up to the child to embrace an unusual name.

I would use it if you like it. I'm sure the girl I know is just going through the teenage difficult years!!!

Original poster
VainVulva · 20/09/2014 12:05

That's interesting to hear 1805, do you know why she hates it?

OP posts:
1805 · 19/09/2014 22:35

Well, I quite like it, but I know a teenage Aphra who is embarrassed about it and hates it. She is beautiful and clever and a lovely girl.

Littlebluebutterflies · 19/09/2014 20:12

Aphra is a super name.

Ignore your Mother this is why you never tell anyone in advance

She named her children, you get to name yours.

upyourninja · 19/09/2014 20:10

Oh god, don't consult anyone before the birth!

My take on name calling is that children are inventive when they're being cruel. They are just as likely to invent something that rhymes or is based on acronyms as something obvious. And anyway, afro isn't an insult and is even less likely to be so in future I reckon.

Original poster
VainVulva · 19/09/2014 19:55

Oh lord I'm going to kill my dm, she keeps saying its a truly awful name and everyone would tease her with Afro and my dd would hate me for giving her such a name Sad Angry

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Original poster
VainVulva · 19/09/2014 19:43

Mainly positive comments so far....yeeeeaaaah!

It really is growing on me. I think it ticks all the boxes on my list of criteria....unusual (but not ridiculously so), two syllables, goes with dc1 name, quirky, artsy, suits any age!

Teasing potential with Afro is my only concern, but then again that's not such an awful thing to be teased about but I guess could get irritating!

OP posts:
upyourninja · 19/09/2014 16:40

I like it. I used to work with a teenage Aphra who was confident, quirky, and lots of fun. So it has good resonance for me Smile

MollyBdenum · 19/09/2014 16:38

I love it. It was on our shortlist, but DD ended up being called after a different pioneering female artist.

missingwordsround · 19/09/2014 16:34

I like it a lot. Very pretty name. Unusual without being weird.

magichandles · 19/09/2014 16:21

I really like Aphra and seriously considered it for DD2, but Dd1 has the same initial so discounted it for that reason.

Original poster
VainVulva · 19/09/2014 16:19

Aphra

OP posts:
Original poster
VainVulva · 19/09/2014 16:18

Suzy I will be spelling it Ahra!

OP posts:
SuzySheepSmellsNice · 19/09/2014 16:17

AFRA is our payments system at work...

mellicauli · 19/09/2014 16:15

Love it!

"All women together, ought to let flowers fall upon the grave of Aphra Behn... for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds..."
(Virginia Woolf wrote, in A Room of One's Own)

Not butch. But certainly no shrinking violet..

Original poster
VainVulva · 19/09/2014 16:14

Apple I'm in Ireland also, and vaguely know of an Aphra. She is a super confidant creative type. But never heard of it before that.

OP posts:
TheFilthiestPersonAlive · 19/09/2014 16:11

Really cool name, wish I'd thought of it!