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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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MikeUniformMike · 19/07/2018 14:50

Ah but the Hardy name has to be Tess.
I know many Rebeccas and several say that their mothers named them after the book. I never quite understood that as the Rebecca in the book isn't very pleasant. I did name a child after a book but I loved the name anyway.

Arum51 · 19/07/2018 14:45

I really love the name, but she does get murdered by her husband!

Not Shakespearean, but I've always loved Bathsheba, from Hardy.

MikeUniformMike · 19/07/2018 14:44

I forgot Maria - that's a lovely name and is pronounced Mar-eye-a in the play.

MikeUniformMike · 19/07/2018 14:42

Cleopatra? Cressida? Miranda?
Rosalind is lovely, Viola is nice too but more popular. Imogen and Emilia are too popular, and I would forget Olivia and Isabella as both are hugely popular.
Ophelia is unpopular on here. Tamora is unusual and I love Portia.
Hemione and Rosalind are good.
I'm not sure about Desdemona - I think that maybe it's nice and maybe it is too much.

BertrandRussell · 19/07/2018 14:42

Or Beatrice.

User183737 · 19/07/2018 14:42

Ophelia.
Desdemona sounds awful.

BertrandRussell · 19/07/2018 14:41

Don’t name her after a drip.

How about Portia?

LaMainDeFatima · 19/07/2018 14:40

It’s got demon in the middle so I would say no ...

Nuffaluff · 19/07/2018 14:37

Tempest!

Nuffaluff · 19/07/2018 14:36

Miranda from The Tenpest

SmilingButClueless · 19/07/2018 14:35

I like Desdemona as a name but not sure about the connotations. Much prefer Rosalind. Not keen on Viola as I associate it more with the musical instrument!

Other Shakespearean names I like are Helena, Nerissa and Miranda.

whyme2018 · 19/07/2018 14:35

Ophelia

Hatstand · 19/07/2018 14:34

The Shakespeare connotations are too depressing for me. Love Rosalind and Viola.

AjasLipstick · 19/07/2018 14:33

I like Perdita.