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Original poster

Can I have Xanthe...

28 replies

ThereAreNoWords · 17/12/2016 10:03

... If we already have Zoe? Too similar? Middle name is likely to be Frances. We also like Esme, Phoebe and Olivia. Thanks!

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CoraPirbright · 19/12/2016 18:11

Only1scoop has a genius suggestion - Ianthe is gorgeous!! Xanthe and Zoe are too close imo.

Original poster
ThereAreNoWords · 18/12/2016 17:50

I love Persephone but DH is not going for it... I like Evanthe, but I'm worried it's too out there. Good job I gave a few weeks to choose yet!

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Jooni · 18/12/2016 16:31

I really like Xanthe but I personally find it a bit close to Zoe: same starting and ending sound, same number of syllables. It would be too close for me.

Esme is especially lovely with Zoe IMO.

CesareBorgiasUnicornMask · 18/12/2016 14:40

I think it's fine with Zoe. But I'll throw in Iolanthe as an alternative. And Persephone. Just to be annoying Grin.

Pluto30 · 17/12/2016 22:21

I pronounce Xanthe as zan-thee, so IMO it is too close to Zoe.

I like Esme and Olivia. Have never warmed to Phoebe.

Backhometothenorth · 17/12/2016 21:58

Maybe Evanthe? Beautiful name

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 17/12/2016 20:37

Xanthe is a fabulous name.

Stuckinstressville · 17/12/2016 20:11

Am an adult xanthe and love it! Do it!

donquixotedelamancha · 17/12/2016 20:09

I really like Xanthe, but not convinced with Zoe. I really don't think Xanthe Frances works at all- sorry.

Artemis is great. On a similar theme, how about Andromache?

Cleopatra means 'Daddy's little girl' (well sort of) if you want to win hubby over to classical nomenclature.

Jigglealltheway · 17/12/2016 19:10

Esme and Olivia sound the best with Francis.
You could use Xanthe Olivia Francis or Xanthe Esme Francis as Xanthe Francis doesn't sound that great.

1horatio · 17/12/2016 17:35

Oh. Hm... that does make it sound more similar.

I still think it would be fine :)

DollyPlastic · 17/12/2016 17:34

It's not Zan tay, it's Zan thee in England.

Good name either way though.

EllaHen · 17/12/2016 17:15

Both lovely names. Quite similar to my ear, which is probably why I like them both.

1horatio · 17/12/2016 17:09

Oh...

I pronounce that Xan-tey (but I'm not English).
Whereas Zoe is Zo-ee...

So, to me the really aren't similar at all.

DollyPlastic · 17/12/2016 16:43

Zan th ee

Sounds really like

Zow ee

But I like it.

Only1scoop · 17/12/2016 16:40

Ianthe
Eye-An-thee

Original poster
ThereAreNoWords · 17/12/2016 16:26

It's just the double Z sound, I suppose. But I guess loads of people have children whose names start with the same letter, which is the same I guess

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1horatio · 17/12/2016 16:18

But... Xanthe and Zoe don't sound similar, at all... right?

Original poster
ThereAreNoWords · 17/12/2016 16:16

Yes, I think Olivia, although lovely, is probably too popular. My first choice is Artemis but DH has vetoed- so mean!

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MakeItStopNeville · 17/12/2016 16:11

I know a Zoe that has a sister called Zhea and I don't think they're too similar so Xanthe works to my ears.

1horatio · 17/12/2016 16:04

sor

First I was thinking you meant me 😂 Not super keen on Francis, but it isn't bad. And seeing as there are sentimental reasons...

I think Irene might be pretty.
But that's very different, so idk.

BagelDog · 17/12/2016 16:00

Eye-an-thee, and it is lovely. But I also adore Xanthe and think it is dissimilar enough to Zoe to be okay. Olivia is very very popular round my way. And I always have a slightly drippy image of a Phoebe, hang-up from one I knew way back...

sortthetacheoutbernard · 17/12/2016 16:00

I'm the opposite of Horatio. I think Frances works as a middle name but I think xanthe and zoe are too similar.

Original poster
ThereAreNoWords · 17/12/2016 15:56

How do you pronounce Ianthe? Is it Ee-an-thee or Eye-an-thee? Or something else?

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Original poster
ThereAreNoWords · 17/12/2016 15:55

There are sentimental reasons for the middle name Frances so that's likely to stay whatever the first name. Thanks for replies everyone

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