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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boy called Phoenix - 1st impressions please

41 replies

BettyBi0 · 01/11/2015 10:44

So.. What impression would you have of a little boy named Phoenix?

Is it a bit naff?

Other names I like are:
Milo
Felix
Gabriel
Sebastian
Caleb

.... But all of these are either vetoed by my partner or already used by close friends recently so I don't feel comfortable using them.

Do you think he would end up with NN Phoe (Fee?)

OP posts:
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Barbarasmum · 02/11/2015 16:53

Awful!

Notso · 02/11/2015 16:54

I knew a drug dealer named Phoenix so it just reminds me of him tbh.

2snugglets · 02/11/2015 16:54

There is a little boy in my daughters class called Eden. It's similar in that it's a hippy/ used as a girl name. I turned my nose up at first but actually it is really cool and suits him, kind of adds to his character - he is a cool kid at 5 he goes to a skate park and does stunts on his scooter on the way into school! And the girls already think he's amazing!!

Duckdeamon · 02/11/2015 16:56

Terrible name.

2snugglets · 02/11/2015 16:56

Also if you had more children you couldn't just go with Ben or something if their big bro was called Pheonix

ThatsHowYouGetAnts · 02/11/2015 16:57

I think it's a bit superhero-y for me. But I don't hate it.

Dredging the recesses of my memory, I think Phoenix was a wise old man in the Iliad, a mentor or old retainer to Achilles. Or something. So a nice classical Greek pedigree to the name unless I am completely wrong and just burbling a load of rubbish

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 02/11/2015 17:00

I know a 1 year old girl called Phoenix.

changename54 · 02/11/2015 19:33

I would think a Phoenix was a girl as it's similar to Phoebe and the only one I've ever heard of was a girl.

Names similar to the ones you like:

Jago
Jonah
Nico
Xander
Jasper
Enzo
Blake
Rohan
Ethan

RedToothBrush · 02/11/2015 20:29

Go on, be a hippy parent! You know you want to!

HaydeeofMonteCristo · 02/11/2015 23:18

The phoenix in legend is female. So a no from me.

Original poster
BettyBi0 · 03/11/2015 13:33

That's really interesting Haydee. I never knew that. Hmmmm not feeling so positive about it now

OP posts:
peppansalt · 03/11/2015 13:41

My litmus test is imaging the child as an adult in a formal interview situation "hi, I'm Phoenix, Blossom, Tiger etc" Cute for a 3 year old, not so much for an adult IMO

peppansalt · 03/11/2015 13:42

*imagining

Ilikedmyoldusernamebetter · 03/11/2015 13:50

I know a Chinese woman called Phoenix... you mention using other Chinese names too, is there some Chinese association with the name I wonder? She's the only Phoenix I've ever met so I assume a female name.

It also always makes me want to sing "From the ashes of disaster rose the phoenix of success!" (from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, so it may not have the same affect on anyone under 35 :o )

However people will get used to it very quickly and it will just be his name, so use it if you want to.

nooka · 04/11/2015 06:18

Personally I'd hate to be called Phoenix, it strikes me a very wannabe sort of name although I don't get impression that that's the OP's intent at all, and in some circles I expect it wouldn't be at all out of place.

The phoenix of legend was a lone bird and either immortal or self regenerating (depending on the tradition), so I think probably neutral rather than male or female. Birds of fire representing resurrection and life seem common to a few mythologies, but I think the phoenix was a Greek tale although with an Egyptian origin.

ThatsHowYouGetAnts is also right, there is a Phoenix in the Iliad, Achilles mentor. Not sure why he is called Phoenix

Fugghetaboutit · 04/11/2015 07:28

I know a little chinese girl called it, suits her

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