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Baby names

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

Original poster

Daphne as a first name?

88 replies

Caroline7777 · 21/07/2018 17:44

I love this name! Feedback from two friends one adores it and jealous she didn't think of it, the other happens to have it as middle name for daughter so also a fan. I'm scared to share with my sisters or mum in case they don't like it that will bother me, happy to take opinions from strangers without being offended :)
Daphne means Laurel tree, has ties to freshwater (i love nature) daphne du maurier one of my favourite authors and happened to be reading Rebecca and watching lots of Frasier (Daphne Moon) in first 3 months of pregnancy. I like that she's unlikely to meet any or many Daphne's I think it's a beautiful name but worry about her hating it. Re nicknames I think Daffy is quite cute but not a fan of Daff but I think Daff is inevitable!

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LilacTeal · 21/07/2018 21:32

I'm Frasier Crane and I'm listening.

Daphne Wink

Mayhemmumma · 21/07/2018 21:29

I know a two year old Daphne. It's cute but doesn't shorten easily, daph is a bit grim imo.

eggncress · 21/07/2018 21:27

Love it !

lottiegarbanzo · 21/07/2018 21:24

Quite cute. Much nicer than Dierdre. (Sylvie, rather than Sylvia is nice too).

I do think it may become fashionable - as great-grandparent fashion moves from Edwardian to 1920-30s.

The first time I came across it was in an Enid Blyton book (Mallory Towers I think) and I read it as 'Dafe-n'. Took a while before I heard the name and realised.

kenandbarbie · 21/07/2018 21:08

I like it, I wouldn't mind about scooby doo, I love scooby doo. There is an annoying character in some other movie or tv show called daphne, but I can't bring it to mind properly. I think it's cool without being too old ladyish, it's kind of retro and 70s in a good way.

BabloHoney · 21/07/2018 21:00

Daphne is gorgeous! Great name

Srilli · 21/07/2018 20:18

Yuck sorry don’t like it

Smushrooms · 21/07/2018 20:15

I love Daphne du Maurier but it's an incredibly ugly name IMO.

RachelfromFriends · 21/07/2018 20:14

Name not bmw ! Confused

RachelfromFriends · 21/07/2018 20:14

The first bmw I ever loved. She doesn't have to be Daff.... she could be "Phee" or "Nee" or Dee dee etx

Rainatnight · 21/07/2018 20:13

LOVE it. Regret not using it for DD (just didn't think of it in time).

Did a similar thread on Daphne a few months ago out of curiosity and got very Marmite responses!

Tortycat · 21/07/2018 20:12

i think its lovely and don't know any. but don't really like nn daffy or daff which i think they would end up being called

ZebraKid71 · 21/07/2018 20:12

I think of the character from Nash ville, I hear people talk about it a fair bit among my pregnany friends but I've never actually met a baby daphne.

DearMrDilkington · 21/07/2018 20:11

I love Daphne! I think it's a beautiful name.

Flamingosnbears · 21/07/2018 20:09

Seems perfect for all the reasons you've stated, try not to be swayed by people's opinions stick with it.

userabcname · 21/07/2018 19:32

I know a baby Daphne. I like it.

raspberrysplit · 21/07/2018 19:31

I like the Delphine suggestion by a pp. I do like Daphne but the nicknames which spring to mind I don’t like. I think Daffy (duck) is horrible - it means foolish, which is not a nn I’d want, so for that reason I wouldn’t use Daphne.

Jillyjollyjandy · 21/07/2018 19:26

I know three under 5. (East London).

haribosmarties · 21/07/2018 19:25

and Sylvia is gorgeous and was on our list!

kinseymilhone · 21/07/2018 19:24

I love it! It was my wonderful granny's name, she was an amazing woman. We used it as a middle name.

Fozzleyplum · 21/07/2018 19:24

I know a Daphne whose nickname is Dannie, which I also like.

haribosmarties · 21/07/2018 19:24

Lovely name and I do think its making a come back!

BoyInTheOven · 21/07/2018 19:22

I love it, it's a great name. Haven't met any IRL at any baby groups etc so that's a definite plus for me 😊. If you and your OH decide you love it I'd keep it to yourselves til you announce babies arrival

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 21/07/2018 19:22

I think it’s gorgeous. 1930’s elegance.
Makes me think of Daphne du Maurier

OlennasWimple · 21/07/2018 19:21

I'm chuckling at the idea that Daphne, Sylvia and Diane are all dated names, when they date from ancient Rome / Greece