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Baby names

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

Original poster

Calliope?

82 replies

willoughwillow · 08/07/2021 16:46

ka-LYE-oh-pee

is it wearable like Penelope or a bit pretentious without greek context?
Means beautiful voices and was muse of poetry.

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MindyStClaire · 09/07/2021 07:27

I like it. I'd pronounce it as per your OP for the best cultured reason that that's how the character in Grey's pronounces it. I wouldn't use it myself as it's a bit much for my tastes but I do like it.

ILoveStickers · 09/07/2021 07:21

Bit much for me, and I would say cal-ee-OH-pee (the accent in Greek is on the o).

But there are all sorts of funny English pronunciations of Classical names! Fwiw, I teach Classics and I'd not heard the cal-EYE-uh-pee pronunciation before.

Youarestillintherunning · 09/07/2021 06:35

I think perhaps I am too uneducated for mumsnet, but when I read it I thought it was some kind of Italian dish

peaceinourtime · 09/07/2021 06:20

Different, and the child may wind up being cantelope.

MindTheBumps · 08/07/2021 21:23

I'm not overly keen on it but it's not awful.

I would pronounce it Cally O pee if I had to guess.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 08/07/2021 20:35

Or how about Corisande if you like unusual names? It likely has Greek origins too and some speculate it means "chorus singer" while others think the "Cor" part could relate to "maiden" or "heart".

WeeFae · 08/07/2021 20:34

Just makes me think of Greys Anatomy. Nice name though.

FrankskinnerscRoc · 08/07/2021 20:20

Naaa, sounds too much like karaoke.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 08/07/2021 20:20

Or Thalia is lovely too - fellow muse.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 08/07/2021 20:17

Not that keen on Calliope - but then I'm not keen on Penelope either (since I struggle to get past the prominent "pee" sound at the end). I really like fellow Greek Callista though - or Xanthe or Ianthe (if you want the "ee" ending).

Lavender21 · 08/07/2021 20:14

I also prefer Calista and Callie for short is really pretty.

lottiegarbanzo · 08/07/2021 20:10

Yes, or Calista. Will be Callie either way.

MenaiMna · 08/07/2021 20:07

Pretty as it seems it is the 19th century name for a steam organ as found on fairgrounds...if you're willing to risk it.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 08/07/2021 20:03

Calli-nope for me, I'm afraid. What about Calista?

toastofthetown · 08/07/2021 20:01

I like Calliope and I'm very surprised that it's not more popular than it is. The Greek mythology trend is huge right now, so even though Calliope itself isn't popular, it will fit right in with Penelope, Atlas etc. and not seem pretentious, rather bang on trend. Calliope has the potential to absolutely explode in popularity. With the Greek name trend and the nickname Callie fitting in with Hallie, Milly, Ellie etc. it is one of those names that I can see making the top hundred. But then I wonder why it hasn't already.

scrivette · 08/07/2021 19:53

It's very pretty.

ZebraKid71 · 08/07/2021 19:40

I know of one who pronounces it cal-eye-oh-pee, but whenever I see it written down I read it as Cali-ope. I like that it is unusual but with an ordinary more known nickname option but pronunciation issues would put me off.

RosieGuacamosie · 08/07/2021 18:11

Reminds me of Callipo - not a nice sounding name!

Couldhavebeenme2 · 08/07/2021 18:07

Cal-ee-oap would be my on first sight pronunciation. Big calli-nope from me.

NakedAttraction · 08/07/2021 18:02

Love it

Tinysalmonswimminginastream · 08/07/2021 18:02

It honestly sounds like a type of fruit or an ice lolly, plus it's quite a mouthful. I do quite like Callie though.

Smokeymirror · 08/07/2021 18:00

Sounds like an object not a person. Like little girls bikes when they have stupid names written in them surrounded by flowers.

RickiTarr · 08/07/2021 18:00

Beautiful.

thisplaceisweird · 08/07/2021 17:59

Stephen Fry pronounces it 'Cal- eye- oh-pee' in his audiobook reading of Mythos, I think that's pretty common

thisplaceisweird · 08/07/2021 17:57

I think it's beautiful but be prepared for people to call her cally-ope her whole life! Unless you're very posh and she's going to private school darling