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Baby names

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

Original poster

Xanthe yes or no?

55 replies

Frankiefarr · 02/02/2021 11:31

I love Xanthe OH not so sold on it. What are people’s experiences? Any pitfalls? Any alternatives?

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BlueTimes · 02/02/2021 18:03

@ImAncient

Sorry but none of you are pronouncing it correctly. It’s Ksaanthi.

Doesn’t sound so nice now does it? And if you meet a Greek like me they’ll laugh at you.

Yes I sound like a bitch but you are giving (among the people I know) your dcs names which most are only doing it if they have to!

Lots of names are pronounced differently in different languages. It’s always been the case.
ProfessorInkling · 02/02/2021 17:59

I have one (pre teen now) and love it. No regrets, even when mumsnet gets viper-ish (tongue in cheek really, everyone has an opinion, no one has ever been rude to my face about it Wink)

ImAncient · 02/02/2021 17:56

Sorry but none of you are pronouncing it correctly. It’s Ksaanthi.

Doesn’t sound so nice now does it? And if you meet a Greek like me they’ll laugh at you.

Yes I sound like a bitch but you are giving (among the people I know) your dcs names which most are only doing it if they have to!

londongirl12 · 02/02/2021 17:56

I don't know how to pronounce it Blush

Mummytobe05 · 02/02/2021 17:48

Is it a girls name? I've never heard of it but I quite like it

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/02/2021 17:45

Yes!

BlueTimes · 02/02/2021 17:44

I like it and a friend (in her 30s) called it as well as knowing of two others.

TheWashingMachine · 02/02/2021 17:43

I know two under 8s called Xanthe. Good name.

Arrierttyclock · 02/02/2021 17:38

Love it

17caterpillars1mouse · 02/02/2021 17:37

A lovely name

YoniAndGuy · 02/02/2021 14:33

It's lovely.

It's also actually very easy to say.

Spelling - yes you'll get Zanthee etc. But - I know a Sofia who always gets Sophia, and a Mollie who gets Molly... etc. You'll correct them - the end!

I think it will also depend where you live as to whether it will be seen as madly unusual.

But generally...my experience has been 1. when you get them to school stage, you'll be astonished at how varied and all over the place the names in the class will be - they'll really span the spectrum of out there to super trad, so if you want to go for something, do it - you won't be as unusual as you fear - and 2. names get familiar really really quickly. I've never heard a child comment on a name being unusual. To them, it's just X's name (literally)

Finally. You say OH. Is the baby having his surname, even though you're not married? If so, it's your choice, and Xanthe it is!

Wallabyone · 02/02/2021 13:49

I love it! I considered it but it's too close in sound to my own name Smile

July2021babygirl · 02/02/2021 13:39

Absolutely love 💞

RaeCJ82 · 02/02/2021 13:33

Yes, very nice name!

Original poster
Frankiefarr · 02/02/2021 13:32

Thanks everyone. I know what you mean Xanthemum my name is Frankie but most people hear it and seem to translate it to Jackie and invariably that’s what I get called!

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Jen435 · 02/02/2021 12:32

I love it! It's on my list

Xanthemum · 02/02/2021 12:31

I have a Xanthe

Pitfalls mostly I'm afraid.

A LOT of people struggle with it and when she was a baby I had a lot of 'sorry?' when at playgroups etc.

Even if I introduce her as 'Zanth-ee' people will respond 12 seconds later with 'zan-tee' or 'sanfee' or some other bizarre proncounciation which sounds absolutely nothing like her name. People seem to hear what they want to hear rather than what I say.

My family still send dd cards addressed to 'Zanthe' despite her being around for a few years!!

People are always very complimentary about her name, however, most people are polite and wouldn't say 'eugh' even if they hated it.

I love her name, and so does she, but sometimes I wish we'd gone for something simpler like Lucy or uncommon but established like Erica.

There is another Xanthe at her ballet class so don't count on it being unique Grin

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 02/02/2021 12:17

Yes

ButwhereisMYcoffee · 02/02/2021 12:05

Love it

AfterSchoolWorry · 02/02/2021 12:05

Yes this pronounced Zanthay?

Always wondered!

Emelene · 02/02/2021 12:05

I think it's pretty, but I think you'd be telling people how to spell it out often - would that bother you?

BikeRunSki · 02/02/2021 12:04

I like it. I’ve only ever met 2. One will be in her early 50s, one is nearly 2.

SirSamuelVimes · 02/02/2021 12:04

Yes, I like it. Taught a lovely one once which helps!

LizFlowers · 02/02/2021 12:01

Is it a diminutive of Chrysanthemum?

Original poster
Frankiefarr · 02/02/2021 11:54

Thanks everyone. It’s the name I keep coming back to.

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