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Baby names

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

Original poster

Electra

35 replies

cornfleurbleu · 12/06/2021 18:54

...too much for a first name?

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LewishamMum · 14/06/2021 22:08

Defo Daddy complex there!

blameitonthecaffeine · 14/06/2021 18:29

I actually love it.

I might assume you were Greek. I don't understand the link to strippers. Is there a stripper called Electra on a tv show or something?

notalwaysalondoner · 14/06/2021 17:36

I like it a lot, we considered it and decided we may use it as a middle name. Yes it has unfortunate classical connections but so do almost all Greek/Roman mythology names, they all meet sticky ends. I don’t think it’s a stripper name any more than eg Allegra. But it’s unusual so you’re always going to get strong responses on MN.

I know a family with four daughters all with classical names and Electra is one, it sounds awesome with the others.

Posieandpip · 13/06/2021 20:58

Electra complex has nothing to do with Freud Hmm Carl Jung's theory, and not even a respected or well known one.

Eaumyword · 13/06/2021 13:30

The immediate imagery is Carmen Electra or a bit Vegas exotic dancer.
I do like Allegra like pp's have said?

Ohshitiveturnedintomymother · 13/06/2021 13:18

Electra was a boss lady! I love Electra (classics teacher) and tried very hard to persuade DH but he was having none of it. I blame a non classical education for his reticence Grin

She was strong and got what she wanted…ok she may have murdered her mother but it was only as revenge for killing Agamemnon. And tbh she planned it and then made her brother do it anyway. And on that note I like Clytemnestra as a name too but even I thought that was a step too far.

She did totally rule though (literally and figuratively ) and with the exception of the whole husband murder was pretty cool.

Twizbe · 13/06/2021 13:12

I've got a classics degree and no way would I do it. Electra was not a very nice person. You could completely understand her anger towards her mother but still ... it wasn't nice.

allofthecheese · 13/06/2021 13:10

Knew an Italian called Eletra so very similar. She was lovely but very fiery Grin

SionnachRua · 13/06/2021 13:10

Absolutely love it but it doesn't seem like an easy name to 'wear' tbh.

I think of Carmen Electra when I hear it.

insancerre · 13/06/2021 13:08

I like it

MayIDestroyYou · 13/06/2021 13:06

Absolutely fabulous name.

And none of her peers will be thinking of either Greek myth or Freud.

GreyhoundG1rl · 13/06/2021 12:49

Definitely a stripper name. If you have to be "brave" to use a name, why would you lumber your poor child with it?!

awaketoosoon · 13/06/2021 12:46

I met an Eletta - spelling might be off. I like it.

partyatthepalace · 13/06/2021 12:33

I like it.

You will have to be prepared for her to end up as yet another Ellie though

SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 12/06/2021 23:39

Yes indeed I could never call a child Helen.

HeronLanyon · 12/06/2021 20:27

Mother to Agamemnon - not so shabby. But doesn’t undo everything else.

HeronLanyon · 12/06/2021 20:26

I can’t think of any reference other than Greek tragedy. Wasn’t she vengeful? Not a positive association - amazing that several thousand years later a use of that name in myth would still make me think that. And all the others who spring to mind. Isn’t it with a k anyway ? Can’t believe now I’m questioning a new spelling ! Grin

JaninaDuszejko · 12/06/2021 20:19

I think it's worse as a middle name TBH unless it's a family name. Freud talked absolute rubbish.

whenthewindbows · 12/06/2021 20:18

I like it but it is a bit too out there for me.
Athena
Sylvia
Diana
Rosalind
Leona
Mary
Sophie
Liora
Harriet
Genevieve
Saffron
Louisa
Ottilie
Ophelia
Marie
Rosanna
Edna
Philippa
Juliet

ForkKnifeSpoon · 12/06/2021 20:10

If classical mythology is to be our guiding principle when it comes to choosing baby names I guess we should all put the kibosh on Helen. etc. 🤔

OP I prefer Allegra and even that I'm not a fan of (just me though I'm pretty dull and love Jane and Louise atm however I did go through a stage of liking Clementine a lot so I know how it feels to be stuck on an unusual name)

How about:
Phoebe
Elena
Persephone
Ariadne
Esther
Seren
Lucy
Suzanne
Alyssa

happysunr1se · 12/06/2021 19:59

I knew a Greek woman called Ilektra. I think that is a great name

grapewine · 12/06/2021 19:58

@CryptoFascist

A sister for Oedipus
😂🙈
SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 12/06/2021 19:50

Unfortunate associations. Or are you unaware of Classical mythology?

CryptoFascist · 12/06/2021 19:44

A sister for Oedipus

grapewine · 12/06/2021 19:42

Electra complex was first thought for me too. I wouldn't.