Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Nefeli

35 replies

Panoramarama · 27/11/2017 18:08

Pronounced 'Ne-FEL-ee'

It's an ancient Greek name. How does it sound to you?

DH is Greek and I'm English but a Greek speaker and have lost all objectivity.

Still a long way to go and we don't know what we are having so open to other suggestions. Ancient names we also like are Ariadne and Lydia.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
SparkleMotion82 · 30/11/2017 07:42

Umm I don’t love it...how about Persephone?

Sheitgeist · 29/11/2017 19:57

I sort of like it, but it makes me think of "nefarious", which isn't good.
I love Ariadne, though.

Olivelor · 28/11/2017 18:37

Nefeli is a beautiful name. Absolutely love it. Wouldn't think twice if I were you.

TheodoreTheChipmunk · 28/11/2017 14:20

I like it. Different and quirky.

hiyasminitsme · 28/11/2017 12:19

Where do you live - UK or Greece? If in the UK child will spend their life having to spell it out and correct pronunciation.

Glumglowworm · 28/11/2017 12:18

It's pretty

My first thought was Nefertiti (apologies if I've spelled that wrong) not nelly the elephant like a pp said!

Hulababy · 28/11/2017 10:52

I teach a Nefeli. Nice name. No one has any issues with pronouncing it - it is fairly phonetic. Ne-fel-ee (the /Ne/ and /fel/ being a short e sound). None of the teaching staff we've had here have seemed to have had any issues - all have said it and spelt it correctly.

No ones ever mistaken it or referred to "Nelly the elephant" either Confused

IWouldLikeToKnow · 28/11/2017 10:46

What a pretty name. It’s pronounced fairly phonetically so I wouldn’t foresee any difficulties

Erica891 · 28/11/2017 10:43

I think it's a lovely name, unique but lovely.

Original poster
Panoramarama · 28/11/2017 07:36

Thanks everyone, it's really interesting reading your replies.

Nefeli in mythology is mostly known as a nature deity of the clouds. It is also the root of one of the Greek words for cloud.

I've never heard of the piano piece but will check it out!

Regarding spelling, it depends how far you want to go with anglicising it. 'Nefeli' and 'Faidra' are literal translations 'Νεφέλη' and 'Φαίδρα' that are used as names in Greece. However, as many of you say, if you were to read about mythology in an English text book, you'd likely see 'Nephele' and 'Phaedra'

OP posts:
C0untDucku1a · 28/11/2017 06:53

I peonounced nefeli in my head as you said it is pronounced and i also love faidra.

Movablefeast · 28/11/2017 06:49

Love Nefeli - beautiful. What does it mean?

EmmaGrundyForPM · 28/11/2017 06:43

Isn't it Phaedra?

I think if you call a child Nefeli you will have to prepare yourself for spelling it out to everyone. Personally I don't like it but it's up to you what name you use.

confusedandemployed · 28/11/2017 06:40

I love it. I would pronounce it the way OP suggested, I'm a Welsh speaker and we seem to have a lot of the same pronunciation rules as Greek!
Nelli for short! Which again I love.

AlmostChristmas · 28/11/2017 06:36

I know one Nefeli, Mum Greek and dad British. Lovely name and really suits her.

Caulk · 28/11/2017 06:23

I like Nefeli. I know a Nifemi (Nif-em-e) which I think is pretty.

HuskyMcClusky · 28/11/2017 06:19

I think Nefeli will get incorrectly pronounced as ‘NEF-eh-lee’ her whole life.

I would go with Phaedra, spelled like that.

Bubblesoup · 28/11/2017 06:14

Both are beautiful! I think Faidra has the edge for me, partly because the pronounciation seems more obvious.

Dixiestampsagain · 28/11/2017 01:08

It just reminds me of the Einaudi piece I’ve been teaching some of my piano pupils! I’d never thought of using it as a name- it’s quite nice!

SuperBeagle · 27/11/2017 21:33

I would assume a Nefeli was Middle Eastern, to be honest. Primarily because it looks and sounds similar to Nefertiti etc.

Faidra should surely be Phaedra?

IVflytrap · 27/11/2017 20:31

Nefeli is lovely! I know of the ancient Greek Nephele. I'm guessing Nefeli is an alternative form? I prefer Nefeli anyway - I think the spelling is more intuitive for English speakers. I also really like Ariadne, but Lydia and Faidra less so.

ChocolateCrunch · 27/11/2017 20:30

How about
Cassia
Cleo
Althea
Karissa

ImaginaryCat · 27/11/2017 20:19

My absolute favourite piece of music by Ludovico Einoudi.

EssentialHummus · 27/11/2017 20:15

Love everything except Lydia. Can I chuck in Eleni as an option? Love it, we nearly had Elena (Russian) here.

Yika · 27/11/2017 20:14

I love Nefeli, beautiful name!

Swipe left for the next trending thread