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Original poster

Shakespearean name - Desdemona?

89 replies

TitusAndromedon234 · 19/07/2018 14:29

We already have a 3 year old Hermione, and are expecting baby number 2, which we've just found out is another girl.

We'd like to use a Shakespearean name for dc2. I love Desdemona, and think the nn Desi is very cute.
However, we're not sure if it's a bit out there - Hermione is now also associated with Harry Potter, which normalises it a bit, but Desdemona doesn't really have any other connotations than the Shakespeare one.

Also on our shortlist are Isabella (but think it's a little too popular), Rosalind and Viola.

I like Imogen and Emilia, but don't think I can use either, as dd1's nickname is Mimi, so Imi/Millie would be too similar.

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mybumpisonlypudding · 19/07/2018 22:10

Desdemona does literally mean ill-fated! Wink it's not a risk I'd take, but I am pretty superstitious

MariaMadita · 19/07/2018 22:06

Viola and Miranda are lovely imo.

drearydeardre · 19/07/2018 21:10

desdemona - song by t rex - that was my first thought!

RamonaQuimbyage38 · 19/07/2018 21:03

Another vote for Cordelia, if it has to be Shakespearean. Even though I was a big Buffy the Vampire fan back in the day, I quite liked her hilariously awful (but sometimes terrific) high school enemy Cordelia Chase...

EvenThoughYouDidCHEAT · 19/07/2018 19:14

I actually like Desdemona, but Desi would be a pretty weird nickname given: www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=desi

I do like Rosalind and Ophelia a lot too.

What about Tamora?

bridgetreilly · 19/07/2018 19:01

Another vote for Rosalind! Or Miranda.

Figuregettingbigger · 19/07/2018 18:09

Rosalind is gorgeous.

NeeChee · 19/07/2018 17:54

I spoke to an Ophelia recently, it's a lovely name. I love the name Persephone, although it's not Shakespearean!

Susannach · 19/07/2018 17:50

Not a fan.

Does it have to be Shakespearean? How do you feel about Despina?

Pemba · 19/07/2018 16:35

Hero won't really work will it? For obvious reasons.

withouttea · 19/07/2018 16:31

I second Cordelia. That's just fabulous!

NameChangedAgain18 · 19/07/2018 16:18

The character is, as stated above, a complete drip. And Desi in the U.K. will have a particular meaning for British Asians.

Lobsterquadrille2 · 19/07/2018 16:16

I have a DD Miranda and a cat Cordelia. Miranda was called "Mandy" at school, which I hated ....

Desdemona is pretty out there and I love most Shakespearean names. Emilia is nice (Othello) - Perdita has been mentioned already. Bianca used to be nice but now is associated with Eastenders. Hermia, Helena, Cressida? Maybe not Goneril .....

Theworldisfullofgs · 19/07/2018 16:14

Hero or imogen

CremeEggThief · 19/07/2018 16:14

If you do choose Desdemona, it will be very unusual. I've only come across one in 40 years!

redmini4 · 19/07/2018 16:11

I don't really like Desdemona, there are better ones.
I like Isabella, Emilia and Viola of your list.
Or Beatrice, Cordelia, Hero, Helena, Perdita as others have suggested.

Mrskeats · 19/07/2018 15:54

Helena is lovely.

Minkies13 · 19/07/2018 15:49

Cordelia

TroubledLichen · 19/07/2018 15:30

I love Shakespearean names and wanted Hermione for my DD but DH was sadly not so keen. Desdemona is too much for my tastes though and I really dislike Desi as a NN. Isabella is a bit ubiquitous but I really like Viola and Rosalind, especially Viola. Some other suggestions:
Cressida
Beatrice
Cordelia
Helena
Cassandra
Hero
Imogen
Julia
Alice
Celia
Juliet

TatianaLarina · 19/07/2018 15:29

Portia has very 80s rah associations.

I would go with Hero, Imogen (Imo) or Viola personally.

BertrandRussell · 19/07/2018 15:24

Oh please Portia!

lozengeoflove · 19/07/2018 15:09

Cordelia gets my vote.

MamaClaire8518 · 19/07/2018 15:08

Oh lord I love it!!!!! I'm a HUGE Shakespeare fan though 😊💕

Pemba · 19/07/2018 15:07

Hmm, it's not horrible but I'm not sure how nice it is really. Plus the Desdemona in the play has a tragic story.

There are other nicer Shakespearean names, Rosalind, Viola and Imogen as you suggested are lovely. I also agree with Smiling that Helena, Nerissa and Miranda are nice. Then there's Juliet, of course, Olivia from 'Twelfth Night', and Celia from 'As you Like it', although they are perhaps too mainstream for you. Sylvia is nice (from a Shakespeare poem)

babyyorkie · 19/07/2018 14:55

I thought Desdemona meant 'unlucky'.

What about Ophelia or Imogen?

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