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Baby names

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

Original poster

Regret my daughter’s name Phoebe

185 replies

LondonAnnie · 25/03/2021 14:17

Does anyone else regret the name you choose for your child?

My daughter’s Phoebe and I worry that other people might not like it ( didn’t realize it’s a marmite name ) that it’s too hard to spell ( we get Pheobe already didn’t think it would annoy me but it does ) or that she’ll get teased and be called Beefy ( didn’t think about that as a potential nickname when I choose her name ) or something else that’s mean .

Unfortunately it’s too late to change it now. She’s nearly 3. Other mums with a Phoebe, are you happy with that name?

Happy for any support !🙂 Thanks !

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mummabubs · 25/03/2021 16:27

I love it. It's not in my name but my sister has called me Pheebs for years as she always thought Phoebe would suit me as a name. 😂 We went with quite a curveball name for our DS and after initial worries I don't worry anymore about what other people think.

Shortiemyboo · 25/03/2021 16:22

Itsa beautiful name, whi says its marmite? Beefy,no, your over thinking it plus lots of names can be changed to tease

Jupiterstar · 25/03/2021 16:21

Phoebe is one of my favourite girls names, I love it.

dottiedaisee · 25/03/2021 16:18

My son was going to be aPhoebe if female... I think it’s a lovely,pretty name .

BilboBercow · 25/03/2021 16:17

Phoebo?

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 25/03/2021 16:16

I adore that name - classic and timeless

LincolnshireYellowBelly · 25/03/2021 16:10

Not a mum to a girls but I think Phoebe is a beautiful name and I would definitelY consider it if I had a girl. It would never cross my mind to say Beefy.

Hallyup5 · 25/03/2021 16:08

Loads of names get misspelled so I wouldn't worry about that. Common names like Jane/Jayne or John/Jon for example. I have 5 girls and they've all got common names and all have been misspelled. Phoebe is a beautiful, timeless name. It was on my list although I didn't end up using it. Don't worry about what others think.

loveheartss · 25/03/2021 16:08

Sorry OP having a little chuckle at Beefy!

I've known two Phoebe's and have never ever known them called Beefy, honestly.

It's a lovely name, they were never bullied for it or taken the piss out of.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 25/03/2021 16:03

Beefy 😂😂😂 nobody would ever call a Phoebe beefy??? That's so funny. Where did that even come from? It's not a thing. It's just not.

VickyEadieofThigh · 25/03/2021 16:03

A very close friend's daughter (who regards me as an aunt - she's not almost 40) is called Phoebe and it SO suits her!

She went for a while to a French-speaking child minder who pronounced it (at first) 'Pherb' and this was her nickname with family for decades. She didn't mind at all.

couchparsnip · 25/03/2021 16:03

I suppose it's Fee Bee = Bee Fee. Nope never would have thought of that as a nickname.
Phoebe is a lovely name. I wouldn't regret it at all!

sausagepastapot · 25/03/2021 16:02

I honestly love the name Phoebe and it was on my shortlist. Love it.

SixesAndEights · 25/03/2021 16:01

Phoebe is a lovely name.

I've a very common, easy to spell name and people write and call me a wide range of spellings and pronunciations!

Dartsplayer · 25/03/2021 16:01

Its such a beautiful name. I have one! She's 11. Never heard of the nickname 'beefy' in her whole 11 years. She gets called Pheebs or Phubs but she's quite happy with that. We called her because it has a combination of my DGMs' names in (Ph)yllis and (Be)atrice. You're right though that people can't spell it but as far as I'm concerned, that's their problem

Greenvalleysightseeker · 25/03/2021 16:00

Its a beautiful name, my daughter was almost a Phoebe and sometimes I wish I'd gone for it!

CuthbertDibbleandGrubb · 25/03/2021 15:58

I'm saddened you feel this way. It's a name many people will now be familiar with because of the work of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, so I think this will reduce chances of misspelling or not being pronounced correctly. You'll be a proud parent if your DD turns out to be as successful in a chosen career.

PurpleMustang · 25/03/2021 15:56

I think it is a lovely name. I have an awful unusual name to spell and it is just one of those things of being used to spell it out. But I think Phoebe is common enough it shouldn't be too bad, or quickly learnt. One Christmas as a child from all the cards I got there was 10 versions of my name hahaha. With the nicknames I wouldn't worry too much she will get the obvious ones. My son has a fairly easy name (on purpose because of me), has an obvious nickname and then his friends picked a random one (a product brand name) because it rhymes. He doesn't care so its all fine. I taught mine you are likely get nicknames so best to be ok with them else someone who isn't nice will pick up on it and use it against you

BlondehairRedlips · 25/03/2021 15:56

I love the name Phoebe!!! Beautiful name imo!

BelfastMaOf2 · 25/03/2021 15:55

I love the name Phoebe!! It was a front runner for us but when she was born she suited our other favourite name more.

MrsGulDukat · 25/03/2021 15:54

Oh and I call her "Fee"

Her friends have nickname for her unrelated to her name. She has a classic middle name too so her name with carry well when shes an adult.

BungleandGeorge · 25/03/2021 15:54

Why are you bothered if people don’t like it?

Aardvarkitsabloodyaardvark · 25/03/2021 15:54

@youremyperson

Get her to spell it out to people like this

P as in Phoebe
H as in hoebe
O as in oebe
E as in ebe
B as in b-be
and E as in… ‘ello there, mate!

Grin

I have a teenage Phoebe. This is exactly how I taught her to spell her own name when she was small Grin
4amWitchingHour · 25/03/2021 15:53

I don't think Phoebe is a particularly marmite name. Certainly not with me anyway - it's nice enough, but I neither love it nor hate it 🤷🏻‍♀️

RuthW · 25/03/2021 15:53

Lovely name. Dd was very neatly Phoebe. The only reason I'm glad she wasn't is that there are loads around her age (24). Ironically, the name I did choose is now very very very popular in under tens.