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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Cleopatra?

35 replies

ranibowsprimkle · 24/06/2019 22:47

It's the top of my list if no.3 is a girl but my sister pulled a bit of a face when I mentioned it.

I love that it's unusual but still a proper name and that it can be shortened to Cleo or Pat
so she'd have the option of either a more traditionally girly or a more tomboyish nickname or her whole name when she older depending on what she feels suits her.

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LesserBohemian · 27/06/2019 22:54

I love historical names but also think Cleopatra is too much. I don’t like the “pat” sound in the name as a whole.

However, I absolutely love Cleo as a full name.

Peitho · 27/06/2019 22:49

I'm loving the idea of being meeting a woman called Pat and assuming it's short for Patricia only to find out her name is Cleopatra

Yes from the extremely mundane Pat to the ostentatious Cleopatra. My mind would never make that leap!

Peitho · 27/06/2019 22:47

It's just too much. Same with Boudica.

Cleo is lovely though.

Nonameyet1 · 27/06/2019 22:26

I agree with others - such a big name, too much for me.

DianaBlythe · 27/06/2019 05:50

Coming at ya was my first thought too but I don’t think it’s unusable if you love it. Cleo is lovely. Cliona would be another option.

thedishonthecoffeetable · 27/06/2019 05:07

I was going to suggest Cleone but see someone beat me to it. 😁
I think she was a water nymph in Greek mythology.

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 27/06/2019 04:43

I thought about naming a cat Cleopatra. I think it's a cool name but just too many associations. Can you imagine this is your name when studying Egypt in school? I think it's a bit much.

What about Cleone, Clementine, Chloe or Patrice? Kinda similar sounding maybe?

MintyCedric · 26/06/2019 23:48

Honestly, I think it would just grow with your child.

I know a Monalisa...would have been aghast if anyone suggested the name in abstract but it's fabulous on the person it's attached to and suits her perfectly.

I think Cleopatra has a similar vibe.

TheRedSquare · 25/06/2019 13:29

If you love it then have it!

I got loads of face pulling about my boys name as it's very unusual (can't say it as will give me away immediately)

I loved it, and all the people who made comments and faces now admit that 'it's him now' 'couldn't imagine him as anything else' at.

Wheresthecoffee92 · 25/06/2019 12:53

Cleo is nice. Cleopatra is too much. It would be like naming a child Pocahontas or something - just way OTT. Also, the possible nickname 'Pat' would put me off using a name, not make me like it?

4under4our · 25/06/2019 12:22

I love it!

AverageMummy · 25/06/2019 12:19

Or even have something totally different on the birth certificate that gets to Cleo
Clarissa Rose = Cleo
Camilla Opal = Cleo

No one will ask what’s on the birth certificate so do what you want. If Cleopatra is what you love, then go for it & don’t worry about the odd funny face.

queenb83 · 25/06/2019 12:18

Love cleo , it's on my shortlist xx

AverageMummy · 25/06/2019 12:15

If you wanted a different long name for future options you could be as creative as you like, no one will question it if announced as baby Cleo. Colette, Clementine, Cliona, Coralie - actually I really love Clementine.

Bloomburger · 25/06/2019 12:13

Coming at yah!

AverageMummy · 25/06/2019 12:11

Anything very unusual is going to attract some funny faces from people - you’d need to go more mainstream if that bothers you. Someone as close as a sister isn’t going to be an issue though because very quickly the only association becomes your baby. Cleo is cool - don’t think I’d pick Cleopatra myself it is pretty out there, but it’s a proper name so I’m sure it’d be fine. Some of the suggestions on here are downright peculiar like Season & Tree.

Owlbert · 25/06/2019 11:52

I like it and love Cleo! Hate Pat though as it reminds me of Postman Pat and Pat Butcher

mrsm43s · 25/06/2019 11:51

I quite like it, but it's a big name to pull off.

But realistically, if she's always called Cleo, it probably doesn't really matter that her birth cert long name is Cleopatra. I doubt she'd ever use it day to day.

Not sure I'd be brave enough to go for it though.

Pinkmouse6 · 25/06/2019 11:51

I wouldn’t. Cleo just makes me think of the car and I also think of the dodgy 90s song .

JustTheCrowsAndTheBeef · 25/06/2019 11:47

I love Clio, muse of history, but it’s pretty much unusable at the moment thanks to Renault.

diddlediddle · 25/06/2019 11:44

There are other long versions of Cleo if you look them up, maybe one of those will work?

Original poster

ranibowsprimkle · 24/06/2019 23:18

Ok so maybe not.

I like Cleo but not nearly enough to use it as a full name.
Plus I prefer names with a couple of different shortenings so they've got options when they're older.

OP posts:

MrsDimmond · 24/06/2019 23:06

I'm loving the idea of being meeting a woman called Pat and assuming it's short for Patricia only to find out her name is Cleopatra

I'm with your sister. What about Cleo (with ironic nn Pat ...)

Blinkingblimey · 24/06/2019 23:04

Yes to Cleo but NO(!) to Cleopatra. HTH.

Wolfiefan · 24/06/2019 23:00

Your sister has done you a favour. Just no.

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