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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ariadne?

57 replies

MooseMoose · 05/05/2021 20:46

I've always loved this name, but not sure I'd ever use it. We have a double barrelled last name, so I worry it would sound ridiculously posh. It's also a bit of a mouthful and I can't think of any nice nicknames - not keen on Addy. Opinions? Do you know any?

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simpleyellowshoes · 05/05/2021 23:05

I have no idea how to say that name.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 05/05/2021 23:05

Don't know any personally but I really like it - it reminds me of the Agatha Christie character (Ariadne Oliver) as well as the myth. I thought it might have become more popular/well used after the film Inception, but apparently not. I suppose it isn't the easiest name to say, plus there is the arachnid thing. But she could always go by Annie if she dislikes it?

SelkieFly · 05/05/2021 23:06

I prefer Arianne

Ariadne is a bit hard to say.

RoyalMush · 05/05/2021 23:10

Lovely sound to it.

Original poster
MooseMoose · 05/05/2021 23:13

Hmmm... this is definitely confirming my own thoughts. I also love the Agatha Christie connection. Maybe I'll use it as a middle name instead. Thanks for your comments everyone.

OP posts:
MercyBodle · 06/05/2021 07:20

Great name - I'd love to be called something interesting like this. I like Harrie for a nickname.
Other possible nicknames:
Ria
Ida (pronounced Eda)
Annie

A pp mentioned The Borrowers - that was Arietty.

Edenember · 06/05/2021 07:31

Stunning name 😊 I do actually think it’s wearable, with the right surname. A beautiful, elegant form of an -ie sound ending, change from all the cutesy names ending in this.

Edenember · 06/05/2021 07:32

I also love Arrietty. It’s on my list 😊

Lollypop4 · 06/05/2021 07:36

I wouldnt know how to pronounce it

bridgetreilly · 06/05/2021 13:09

Agatha
Ariadne
Arrietty

I really like all of them! Ari or Arry would be a fun nn for Ariadne, but you could even go for Aria.

Chilldonaldchill · 06/05/2021 18:37

Ariadne is great.
I love the Ariadne Oliver character in Agatha Christie too.

Ellmau · 06/05/2021 18:41

Very classy. Ari seems the obvious nickname.

Tequilamockinbird · 06/05/2021 18:42

Reminds me of a spider.

There was a children's tv programme in the 80s with a spider called Ariadne in it.

Sorry Blush

Juancornetto · 06/05/2021 18:44

I love it! I'd think she'd end up with the nn Addie which is lovely too

Happycat1212 · 06/05/2021 18:47

How is it pronounced?

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 06/05/2021 18:49

@Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear

Love it. Makes me think of Ariadne Oliver.
Yes, that's who I thought of too :)
IHaveBrilloHair · 06/05/2021 19:07

It's pronounced
Arri ad nee

soundsystem · 06/05/2021 19:26

@Tequilamockinbird

Reminds me of a spider.

There was a children's tv programme in the 80s with a spider called Ariadne in it.

Sorry Blush

Are you thinking of Arianwen, from The Snow Spider?

OP Ariadne is lovely! I know two: one is called Ari almost exclusively and the other is always called Ariadne - I've never heard anyone shorten it. No pronunciation issues as far as I know. We are in an area with a lot of less-used names though!

AbstractHeart · 06/05/2021 19:29

The one I know goes by Aria, which is lovely, but the full version always seems so clunky to me

Tequilamockinbird · 06/05/2021 19:32

@soundsystem no, it was a cartoon. Have just googled and it was called Creepy Crawlies. Ariadne is the spider.

HermioneWeasley · 06/05/2021 19:33

Love it. If I’d had a daughter I’d have called her that

Councilworker · 06/05/2021 19:35

I also think spider from the Creepy Crawlies cartoon www.toonhound.com/creepcrawl.htm

However it's a short-lived 80s cartoon so the number of people who will make the association is very small and it won't be her peers. It's a pretty name with a fascinating myth behind it. (If you do call her that please take her to Knossos when she is olde!r)

FrancesFlute · 06/05/2021 19:36

I knew a lovely, lovely little girl Ariadne. It is a beautiful name and I think her nickname was Ari. However a lot of colleagues couldn't pronounce it for some reason - often said Ariagne? I love it myself (also an Agatha Christie fan Wink) but I don't think DH is keen.

tuliplily · 06/05/2021 19:38

I think it's beautiful!

Peachbubble · 06/05/2021 19:55

I like it and also thought of the Agatha Christie character.