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Baby names

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

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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TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 22:54

That’s rather an idiosyncratic approach.

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

I don’t like names that have ie added to them randomly as the current trend. Alfie, Freddie, Frankie, Teddy, Evie, Gracie etc.

But I don’t mind names that genuinely end in ie/y.

MuckyPlucky · 30/06/2021 22:52

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!

SionnachRua · 30/06/2021 22:46

Personally I'd consider most names ending in an ee sound to be somewhat whiny (Alfie, Millie, Lucy, Charlie,, Sophie etc). Phoebe has double ee, which is double the whininess for me.

TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 22:34

What does whiny mean in this context?

You can say anything with a whiny voice.

SionnachRua · 30/06/2021 22:24

Phoebe looks lovely when written but sounds a bit weak and whiny imo. Tbh I'd say the same about Imogen though...and Phoebe has less potential for irritating nicknames.

B0YS · 30/06/2021 21:42

I love Phoebe. Phoebe or Penelope were my girl choice!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 30/06/2021 21:40

Imogen's lovely and elegant - and I don't think Immy, Ginny etc are definite, some Imogen's stay the full version (as it's a reasonably short name).

Phoebe sounds a bit whiny to me - I think it's the two lots of "ee" sound. Imogen just sounds stronger imo.

TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 19:44

Love Imogen too. I think that’s another strong name, not frilly feminine.

I really like Imogen and Phoebe as a sibset.

I like the nns Mimi and Imo. So much better than all the Ellies, Evies, Millies etc.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/06/2021 15:50

Love both Ursula and Phoebe.

I only know two Phoebes are they are the opposite of wishy washy.

ScribblyBaller · 30/06/2021 15:49

Wasn't Ursula the name of Phoebe Buffay's evil twin? That might be an option Grin

LittlePearl · 30/06/2021 15:46

It's a lovely name.

pinkheather · 30/06/2021 15:44

I love the name Phoebe!! I don’t find it wishy washy in the slightest. I also really love your other suggestion of Imogen!

HelenHywater · 30/06/2021 15:42

I think Imogen is much more insipid than Phoebe though!

I know a Phoebe who is exceptionally strong, opinionated, confident and funny (and very tall too) though, so my view is coloured by that.

MrsCalypsoGrant · 30/06/2021 15:39

It's not a favourite of mine but my association would be to the wartime Phoebe portrayed by Dervla Kirwan in Goodnight Sweetheart, fabulous strong character played by a great actress 👏🏻

RoseAndGeranium · 30/06/2021 15:34

You can always decide when she gets here. We had our little boy at home for 24 hours before we settled on his name. I think I wanted to get to know him a bit. In the end one name felt like it fitted him and the other would just have been weird.

Opticabbage · 30/06/2021 15:18

I think it will soar in popularity, because it has been the most suggested name to me since I've been pregnant! I don't personally like it because it sounds like a random noise to my ears, rather than a name.

ellenpartridge · 30/06/2021 15:17

Phoebe is ok, wouldn't dislike it but can't get excited about it. Think I do prefer Imogen.

chickenyhead · 30/06/2021 15:15

Wish I had gone with phoebe. None in DDs school, yet 2 in her class of her name.

Original poster
Palmatree · 30/06/2021 15:14

@Violetlavenders

I find it wishy washy, it sounds so weak and feeble imo.

What other names do you like?

Imogen is the other name we really like. Just not a fan of the inevitable nicknames...
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LittleDidSheKnow · 30/06/2021 14:39

I think maybe because of the “ee” sound at the end it makes it sound like a nickname maybe, not a strong, standalone name?

I don’t like it personally... find it a bit twee and airy fairy. Sorry!

Profiterolina · 30/06/2021 14:33

I love it. My friend has a Phoebe, she's 10 years old and the coolest little girl.

TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 14:31

Never occurred to me to sound wishy washy, quite the opposite.

I associate it with Phoebus/Apollo the Greek god.

ScribblyBaller · 30/06/2021 14:31

I think it sounds gentle rather than wishy-washy.

RoseAndGeranium · 30/06/2021 14:29

I think it’s a beautiful name! I get the Phoebe-from-Friends thing, though. That puts me off it a bit as well. On the ‘wishy-washy’ side of it — do you think that’s partly because of the surname your daughter will have? I can see that Phoebe Phipps might not work so well, but Phoebe Brigstocke would actually be pretty punchy. (No idea why those names popped into my head but there we are.)

Phyllis321 · 30/06/2021 14:24

It means 'bright, shining'.

I teach one who's a little bolt of lightning, the polar opposite to wishy-washy!