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Baby names

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

Original poster

Portia

38 replies

Pluto30 · 02/11/2016 20:21

Is this name usable? Nice? Horrid? Any comments welcome. Grin

The Porsche thing likely wouldn't be an issue where I live, as Porsche is generally pronounced "porsh", one syllable (unless the person is a car enthusiast).

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OhMrsQ · 03/11/2016 20:32

I love it.

Portia was also the wife of Roman senator Marcus Junius Brutus, known for her affectionate nature and incredible courage.

I don't think its chavvy at all. And I'm a chav, so I would know Wink

whatever1134 · 03/11/2016 20:27

Em well the name has done me well over the years

I'm a bit Hmmat the chav remark.

Yes it sounds like a car but honestly I had the odd joke about it when I was younger but I love my name, mum was a huge Shakespeare fan

My xmas cards were always funny, the amount of ways people will spell it Grin

HearTheThunderRoar · 03/11/2016 20:22

Not overly keen, it's a perfectly usable name but just not to my taste.

I did use to know one though, she must be about 10 now, very lovely girl.

BlossomHillOne · 03/11/2016 20:10

Portia make ring pessaries to hold up a uterine prolapse - that would put me off, but I suppose not many people would know that.

GoofyTheHero · 03/11/2016 19:20

(Her parents are a bit posh and a bit bohemian)

GoofyTheHero · 03/11/2016 19:19

My best friend is Portia Smile. She's lovely so I love it! She doesn't get negative reactions, and she loves her own name.

W8woman · 03/11/2016 19:17

If you're genuinely posh and bohemian, it's fine.

I don't think there's an approved MN definition of "genuinely posh", though Wink.

Allthebestnamesareused · 03/11/2016 19:04

Portia is one of the daughters of Kyle Richards on Real Housewives of Beverley Hills.

I like it and wouldn't let that fact put you off!

NerrSnerr · 03/11/2016 19:02

Portia was a huge bully when I was at school. I then think she became a stripper for a while after we left and her stripper name was Porche.

daisypond · 03/11/2016 18:56

I don't like Portia, I'm afraid. You can get away with it if you're really posh. Otherwise it's a bit chavvy. I think it's really become separate from its Shakespearean origins nowadays. If you're going for a Shakespearean name specifically, however, Portia is distinctly better than Ophelia - going mad and drowning yourself is not a name you want to call your DD, IMO! And I don't see why names have to have a shortened form at all, so that's not an issue.

hoddtastic · 03/11/2016 13:24

there's a portia at my sons school- her sister is called Chanel.

i will make no further comment

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 03/11/2016 13:22

Shemozzle- those are my thoughts, there's nothing pleasing to my ear at all about it at all.

Shemozzle · 03/11/2016 10:42

To me it sounds horrible. Really harsh and my first impression is wannabe trendy posh. But chavvy rather than middle class. In a Mercedes kind of way.

Pipilangstrumpf · 03/11/2016 10:34

Portia is beautiful! Classic and not overused.

Gardencentregroupie · 03/11/2016 10:10

Hmm. I know a Porscha same pronunciation as Portia, the name generally doesn't go down well, and nobody ever knows how to spell it. But if you love it use it.

SorenaJ · 03/11/2016 10:08

Portia is a lovely name.

BarInSpace · 02/11/2016 21:53

de Rossi (born Amanda but changed it to Portia at 15).

It's fine.

Original poster
Pluto30 · 02/11/2016 21:25

We like Ophelia too, but it doesn't go with our last name Sad

Very pleased with the Portia reactions!

OP posts:
Overthehillandroundthebend · 02/11/2016 21:20

Just to add - he only vetoed it because of the car... Without that it's perfect.

Overthehillandroundthebend · 02/11/2016 21:19

I have always liked it - DH vetoed it =(

soundsystem · 02/11/2016 21:14

I love it! Was only out off for DD because of the Porsche thing but as that's not an issue then I'd go for it

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/11/2016 21:13

I like it, it's a nice name. I know two - a 15 year old and a 2 year old.

MikeUnicornMike · 02/11/2016 21:11

I think Joan is also a lovely name. I know an Ophelia. Do think about abbreviations though. Portia might end up being Podge, Joan Joanie, Ophelia Fi etc

Footle · 02/11/2016 21:11

The quality of mercy is not strained, but droppeth as the gentle dew from heaven .. What's not to like ?