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Baby names

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

Original poster

Athena?

44 replies

PinkyOfPie · 14/05/2016 17:33

DH saw a film last night with a character called Athena and loves it for our baby name (if it's a girl). All I can think of is the poster shop where they had the picture of a naked man holding a baby. Am I being daft?

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genome · 15/05/2016 20:19

I'm biased as DD2 is Athena, so obviously I love it! DH is half Greek, but we pronounce it the 'english' way.

HermioneWeasley · 15/05/2016 20:11

It's a beautiful and strong name

julfin · 15/05/2016 20:09

Ha ha I remember that poster! (Swoons)

I remember the shop but it really wouldn't have sprung to mind.

Athena is a beautiful name. Also Athene (which I think I slightly prefer). Lovely meaning too.

Original poster
PinkyOfPie · 15/05/2016 09:03

For your viewing pleasure - the famous Athena poster of "man with baby" Grin

OP posts:
SanityClause · 15/05/2016 07:39

My DC's rooms are covered in posters, Batman. They get them from lots of different places - e.g. museum type gift shops, WH Smiths, Amazon marketplace.

I came to the UK in the early 90s, and didn't think of the shop until I read the OP, although I was aware of (i.e. I didn't make the connection from the thread title, alone.)

I think most people now wouldn't make the association, and it's not an awful association, anyway.

It's a good name, I think. Both pretty and strong, with good associations (goddess of wisdom). If you like it, don't let the shop name put you off.

BatmanLovesMarmite · 15/05/2016 07:20

Oh, I loved Athena back in the day. When did teenagers stop buying posters ? Sad

Athena is lovely as a name, and a fleeting association from a minority of 30ish+ people would soon disappear. Nobody would think twice about calling their child Claire ('s Accessories), Chelsea (Girl) or Zara.

isambardo · 15/05/2016 07:04

It's a lovely name! I know a baby Althea - similar but with less poster shop connotations?!

KatOnATinRo0f · 14/05/2016 23:23

I love the name, but the actual pronunciation has the stress on the "na" rather than the "ee" which I don't like the sound of so much (my husband is Greek, so I couldn't get away with pronouncing a Greek name "English") .... It is still one of my favourites.. One of the others is Andromeda. (Although annoyingly the stress is on the "may" not the "drom".

Sophronia · 14/05/2016 22:29

I don't think anyone your DDs age would associate it with the poster shop, so it wouldn't really be a big deal. My first thought is the Greek goddess.

feellikeanalien · 14/05/2016 22:17

Our cat is called Athena. DP was playing computer game about the Greek gods when we found her!

JingsAndCrivens · 14/05/2016 22:17

Aristotle is a bridge too far! The pressure of having such a name. Grin

SomedayMyPrinceWillCome · 14/05/2016 22:15

Poster shop, sorry

neonrainbow · 14/05/2016 22:13

beautiful. I wouldnt associate with the poster shop and Im 30.

pinkpeter1 · 14/05/2016 22:12

I know a baby Athena and her big brother Aristotel!!! Family are not Greek!!

JingsAndCrivens · 14/05/2016 22:11

Minerva is nice too. Bit fancy shmancy but in a good way.

JingsAndCrivens · 14/05/2016 22:10

Really ineed? I though they'd all disappeared yonks ago.

strawberrypenguin · 14/05/2016 22:10

I like it. If it makes me hunk anything it's Battlestar Galactica - never heard of the shop

ineedaholidaynow · 14/05/2016 22:09

I'm afraid it reminds me of the poster shop.

I'm amazed so many have never heard of the shop, the branch nearest to where we live only closed a couple of years ago.

Zhx3 · 14/05/2016 22:08

I think it's lovely and quite unusual. Think I might prefer Athene. It's a good strong girl's name, I think she was the Greek goddess of wisdom? Roman equivalent Minerva, I think.

JingsAndCrivens · 14/05/2016 22:04

I remember the poster shop (I think you have to be 35+) but the name doesn't remind me of it as such. Really gorgeous name.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 14/05/2016 22:02

A family member has this name and was a teenager in the poster shop days and no problems. I think only people of a certain age would make that association - whoever she goes to school with will have no idea! I love it but am obviously biased

Strokethefurrywall · 14/05/2016 21:56

Gorgeous - Greek name. And I remember the poster shop but it's not the first thing I think of.

GRW · 14/05/2016 21:20

I knew one once and really like it. It's original and pretty.

Smidge001 · 14/05/2016 19:09

Definitely reminds me of the poster shop (39yo).

TommyandGina · 14/05/2016 19:05

Poster shop, loved it then though, would you believe mum still has the man and baby poster in her porch Grin

It's a lovely name these days, her friends wouldn't make any connection