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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on Hebe?

62 replies

Pinkjellyfish · 09/03/2019 00:19

This has been my favourite girls’ name for a while but would love to hear your opinions! I’m hesitant because I suspect a lot of my family and friends wouldn’t be huge fans. I originally read it in a novel but it’s apparently the name of the Greek goddess of youth (and a shrub Grin)

Would people confuse it with Phoebe?

Does anyone know a Hebe?

Any similar names I might like?

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Original poster
Pinkjellyfish · 13/03/2019 00:26

Thanks all for your thoughts, good and bad Smile Cleo is also another favourite

OP posts:
SemperIdem · 09/03/2019 21:48

I really don’t like it.

Heebie jeebies, hebephile etc.

TatianaLarina · 09/03/2019 14:26

It’s ok, I prefer Phoebe and other Greek names.

daisypond · 09/03/2019 13:25

I like it. It's quite a well known plant, so it shouldn't cause that much confusion.

aliceandkids77 · 09/03/2019 11:59

Never heard before, is it pronounced Heebee? Not sure I’m a fan of it...

Bigearringsbigsmile · 09/03/2019 11:30

i thought heebie jeebies and then racist insult

EveryoneFreeze · 09/03/2019 11:25

Hit post too soon. I realize now it wasn’t, and it’s a perfectly fine name, but it definitely will have those connotations for some people.

EveryoneFreeze · 09/03/2019 11:24

I’m Jewish and I’m afraid I thought this was a joke in poor taste.

Twerking9til5 · 09/03/2019 11:07

I love Hebe as a name. Wasn’t there a character in the wonderful novels of Mary Wesley called Hebe?

I have never, ever heard it used as a racist / derogatory term. Where is that common?

AngeloMysterioso · 09/03/2019 10:49

Funnily enough, Hebe was the answer to a crossword clue I had earlier this morning!

The clue was "Olympian cup bearer - evergreen garden shrub"

It makes me think of heeby-jeebies. I doubt that's helpful...

BuffaloCauliflower · 09/03/2019 10:01

I know one in her twenties. Very cool, quite posh. It’s definitely a name that suggests money. I thought it was a bit unusual first time I heard it but not afterwards.

SansaClegane · 09/03/2019 09:56

I love Hebe, it's like Phoebe but cuter and more unusual. Since I had boys, it's very high up on my dog name list Grin

JenSFP · 09/03/2019 09:53

I like it! My niece is Phoebe and tbh I’d probably choose that over Hebe just to avoid a lifetime of people “reacting” to the name but it’s pretty and I like botanical names - go for it!

ketchupormayo · 09/03/2019 09:53

Hebe jebe

GreenOliveOrBlackOlive · 09/03/2019 09:51

Omg reading the piece in Paris’ link..yes it could so easily morph into Herbie.

Thesearmsofmine · 09/03/2019 09:48

I want to like it but I just don’t. I think it’s a marmite name.

ScreamingValenta · 09/03/2019 09:47

I too thought of @HebeMumsnet!

I think it's a lovely name; I like Greek names.

mrsdavys · 09/03/2019 09:44

Jeebies! Sorry

GreenOliveOrBlackOlive · 09/03/2019 09:43

I want to like it it because many Greek names are lovely.

And yet to me it’s similar to Phoebe in that they both sound like words that are being said backwards Confused

ParisWilton · 09/03/2019 09:42

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/16/how-not-to-name-your-child-five-golden-rules

This article is interesting. I ignored her advice (I have a Xanthe. I receive a lot of 'what?' and very interesting spellings)

RickOShay · 09/03/2019 09:40

I really like greek mythological names. I wish Nike wasn’t a brand name Grin
Not sure about Hebe though.
What about
Selene

Calliope

Iris

Thetis

Screenburn · 09/03/2019 09:34

Hebephile comes to mind, sorry.

cece · 09/03/2019 07:35

I know a Heba which is lovely.

Other suggestions

Thea
Alethea

samlovesdilys · 09/03/2019 07:08

I LOVE it!! Would have been one of my choices if I had a girl!!

paperandfireworks · 09/03/2019 07:02

Instantly though heebee jeebies also

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