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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Phoebe too 'wishy washy'?

56 replies

Palmatree · 30/06/2021 08:25

I really love the the name Phoebe, but the more I say it in my head, the more 'wishy washy' it sounds - ideally I'd like something strong sounding, which suits both an adult and a child, and isn't massively popular. Also worried about the 'Friends' association (although she was probably the best character!) Any opinions welcome.

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Nicnic91 · 03/07/2021 12:26

My daughter is called Phoebe! It’s not wishy washy! She is 9 and there is 1 other in her school of similar age. Both robust and vibrant girls!

RosesAndHellebores · 03/07/2021 12:24

nn’s for DD’s friends called Imogen are: Immie, Mo-mo and G(J)en. Her friend called Phoebe is known as Feebs.

It is worth bearing in mind that parents do not chose or influence nicknames used outside the family!

User135792468 · 03/07/2021 09:28

I think it’s lovely.

Cbeebiesrehab · 03/07/2021 09:27

Imogen and if you don’t like Immy maybe Ginny? Love Ginny.

TatianaBis · 02/07/2021 13:45

She’ll probably look more like one than t’other.

antibacterial · 02/07/2021 13:23

If popularity is a factor @Palmatree and you really can't decide- I'd pick imogen as it's falling in official charts (about to leave top 50) whereas Phoebe has sort of plateaued just outside the top 20 for past few years plus.

Classica · 02/07/2021 11:33

Good luck! I bet you'll know at first glance exactly what her name is Smile

Original poster
Palmatree · 02/07/2021 11:30

@Classica

I like both Phoebe and Imogen and they have very similar vibes to me. Not wishy washy, but soft and pretty without being frilly.
This is what I think too, and I really can't decide! Only one week to go...
OP posts:
Classica · 02/07/2021 11:09

I like both Phoebe and Imogen and they have very similar vibes to me. Not wishy washy, but soft and pretty without being frilly.

MissMissTorrance · 02/07/2021 10:55

I think it looks and sounds ugly.
I do like Imogen.

MuckyPlucky · 02/07/2021 10:52

I’ve identified why it (unreasonably) makes me think of nettles and brambles and slightly unclean-ness:

The “fee-“ bit sounds like ‘flea’ and ‘wee’ to my ear,
The “bee” bit sounds like bees & wasps (both of which I’m allergic to).

So it subconscious reminds me of fleas, wee and stings.

TatianaBis · 01/07/2021 16:46

Well no - She said:

I dislike names ending in ee sounds without qualification.

While you say you dislike some names ending in ee.

So, it's not the same.

I'm similar in that I dislike -ie stuck onto names, such as Evie, Alfie, Frankie, Gracie etc but I like some names that genuinely end in -ee Nancy, Polly, Romilly.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 01/07/2021 16:27

@SionnachRua

It seems more accurate to say you don’t like names that end in ee.

No, that would in fact be less precise/accurate. I dislike names ending in ee sounds as they're whiny to my ear. I also dislike plenty of other names that have no ee sounds, for various reasons.

I feel the same @SionnachRua - to me strong "ee" sounds often have a whiny sound (so Phoebe has a double one). But it would be inaccurate to suggest I dislike all names ending in that sound - I quite like Sylvie, Rosalie, Coralie, Xanthe and Ianthe for instance.
HelenHywater · 01/07/2021 12:43

@MuckyPlucky

I don’t think it’s wishy-washy but (and I’m so sorry if this causes offence to those on here with Phoebe’s) …but I’ve always thought it reminds me of nettles and bramble and cat pee. Don’t ask me why!
that's really funny @MuckyPlucky - I have words that remind me of random things, (and words that are colours, and feel like things) - I have synaesthesia I wonder if you do too!
antibacterial · 01/07/2021 09:09

Prefer Imogen but Phoebe also nice @Palmatree

ShitPoetryClub · 01/07/2021 08:52

I don't like it, it sounds weak and written down it looks like a disease. Sorry.

Heartofglass12345 · 01/07/2021 00:00

Love it it's my favourite girls name and I ended up with 2 boys lol

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 30/06/2021 23:59

I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure it's a biblical name (high pristess or prophet? I just can't remember).

it's a gorgeous name. I know 2 Phoebes and they are both lovely.
I considered it but it didn't work with our surname.

TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 23:51

Therefore less accurate.

To you. It’s so subjective as to be meaningless for everyone else.

RosesAndHellebores · 30/06/2021 23:30

Lots of names ending in ee that aren’t whiney!

Penelope
Cicely
Persephone
Verity
Nathalie
Lizzie

SionnachRua · 30/06/2021 23:24

@TatianaBis

I dislike names ending in ee sounds

Which is what I said. The whiny bit is by the by.

And as I stated, it's less specific as it leaves out the reason why I dislike it. Therefore less accurate.

Done with this conversation now, enjoy your night Smile

TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 23:17

I dislike names ending in ee sounds

Which is what I said. The whiny bit is by the by.

SionnachRua · 30/06/2021 23:13

It seems more accurate to say you don’t like names that end in ee.

No, that would in fact be less precise/accurate. I dislike names ending in ee sounds as they're whiny to my ear. I also dislike plenty of other names that have no ee sounds, for various reasons.

RosesAndHellebores · 30/06/2021 23:02

I think it’s an OK name but I don’t like it. It sounds ugly to my ear. DD has a fabulous friend called Phoebe btw - a smart, confident, fab young woman.

I prefer Imogen and wonder if Daphne might be an option.

I do think it’s interesting that names that were quite out there when DD was born in 98: Phoebe, Imogen, Mathilda, Verity, Cicely, Edith seem all over MNet now. DD had 3 Imogens in her class at primary school and one each of all the others.

DammedifIdo · 30/06/2021 23:00

I like it, I think it has personality and energy. I imagine a really lively energetic girl who loves having fun. I think a lot of the very popular names are more wishy washy and there is nothing wrong with those. Phoebe sounds cool, never had it in my head as wishy washy at all.

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