Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Artemis, Penelope or Dorothy

106 replies

rachelrainbow · 04/02/2022 13:17

These are my top three names for dd no2. Her sister is called Primrose (nn Posy). Our surname begins with P and is 2 syllables.

  1. Artemis (nn Artie)
  2. Penelope (nn Penny)
  3. Dorothy (nn Dottie/Dotty)

What do prefer?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Chichimcgee · 05/02/2022 18:26

I’m sticking with Juniper and Primrose sorry Grin

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 05/02/2022 18:21

Not keen on the sound of Hebe sorry (despite the plant association - but then I don't like the sound of similar popular Phoebe either).

Hera is nice though, simple and unusual - a bit like my fave Gaia in style. I'd also possibly consider Ianthe or Cassia if you like classical names with botanical links.

EishetChayil · 05/02/2022 18:02

Artemis is extremely pretentious. Penelope is one of those previously posh names that's gone chav. Dorothy is a granny name, but not in a good way/

greenteafiend · 05/02/2022 16:44

Minerva?

StrychnineIntheSandwiches · 05/02/2022 12:36

I like Hera though

StrychnineIntheSandwiches · 05/02/2022 12:36

Hebe would get called heebie jeebie. all the time.

minipie · 05/02/2022 10:39

Hebe, I love. Simple, unusual and strong. Suits a small girl or an adult.

Also a plant so links with Primrose.

Original poster
rachelrainbow · 05/02/2022 09:44

We went with Primrose because of The Hunger Games! We actually love Prim as a nickname too. I just love the thought of Prim and Mimi/Misty/Artie (whatever sticks). And I really don’t mind that people think Artemis is a boy’s name.

I agree two P names with P surname is too much.

What so people think of Hera or Hebe? If I had my way I’d call her Eurydice but I know it would be cruel as no one could pronounce it! 😂

OP posts:
CoverYourselfInChocolateGlory · 05/02/2022 08:43

I know a baby girl Artemis, Artie for short.

StopForAMinute · 05/02/2022 08:37

I like Dorothy.

organicoatmilk · 05/02/2022 08:25

Penelope! Wish I could use it but it doesn't work with our surname.

LozMarieFielder · 05/02/2022 08:11

Artemis is one of my favourite names ever, so that would be my choice. Dorothy however goes better with Primrose in my opinion. Penelope is pretty nice too.

LemonViolet · 05/02/2022 05:27

Oh I do remember thinking perhaps Artemisia for a girl - that’s the scientific name for Tarragon.

Now I think Tarragon sounds like a cool name too. Should probably get more sleep.

LemonViolet · 05/02/2022 05:24

I, somehow, know three small humans called Artemis, they are all boys (and the one that’s old enough to talk has trouble pronouncing his own name, but he’s still under 4). Yes I know the goddess came first, and when I heard what my friends had called the first one, I did say (not to them!), they realise Artemis was a goddess right, but apparently the books and film with a male character called Artemis are more widely known now. In my head it’s a boys name now but only because I know boys called it, and no girls!

Calliope is my favourite classic mythology name. She was the chief Muse and goddess of epic poetry. Plus Callie sounds cool.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 05/02/2022 04:28

Artemis is gorgeous!

merrymelodies · 05/02/2022 04:16

I love Artemis. If I were to have another daughter, I would name her Artemis.Smile

PenStation · 05/02/2022 03:50

Our dog is called Artemis

Flutterflybutterby · 05/02/2022 03:34

@rachelrainbow

Really interesting to hear your feedback. Thanks so much!

I studied Classics at uni and Artemis is the Greek Goddess of the wilderness which I love.

How much do you think it matters about your children’s names sounding good together?? My husband is adamant it’s nonsense - once someone is an adult, sibling names mean nothing. I’m not sure I agree - Primrose and Artemis is an odd combo.

I don't think it matters TOO much, unless the names actively sound a little odd together, which Primrose and Artemis do. They're both very ... I don't know how to say it - big? Big names? Like they're fairly uncommon, and both have a certain strong flavor. And together they sound a little odd and I think it even ruins the prettiness of each name slightly? Because if I heard either name alone, I'd think "Wow, that's unusual but pretty." But if I heard they as sisters I'd be a bit "Confused" and it would be my first and strongest reaction, rather than admiring the two pretty names. Do you know what I mean?

For example: Scarlett and Josephine. Very different styles of names but both more common, not a strong taste to them, sound okay together.

Artemis and Primrose have a different effect together.

alexdgr8 · 05/02/2022 03:20

definitely not Artemis. sounds ridiculous and pretentious.
either of the other two are fine.

bxbynxmelxver4 · 05/02/2022 03:18

Artemis - Stunning
Penelope - Cute
Dorothy - Lovely classic name

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 05/02/2022 01:15

Names that feel similar to Primrose to me (which imo has quite an "English", retro/Victorian sort of feel - although Hunger Games possibly made it sound more trendy/hipster again):

Bryony (If you want to also link the nature theme)
Jessamine (as above)
Sylvia (ditto)
Verity
Celia
Audrey
Harriet
Adeline
Emmeline
Mabel
Christabel

As I said, Dorothy just feels a touch too "old lady" to me (Audrey somehow is a bit cooler due to the Hepburn factor? and Mabel has the sweet botanical nn May) - although I can see how cute Dotty works with Posy. Penelope is not my personal taste and Artemis is lovely but admittedly a different style to Primrose.

Chichimcgee · 05/02/2022 00:31

Artemis is fabulous and anyone who thinks it’s a boys name…well, just hmm

I think the Artemis Fowl books are more popular than Greek mythology unfortunately!

PiratePetespajamas · 05/02/2022 00:29

Artemis is fabulous and anyone who thinks it’s a boys name…well, just Hmm The goddess came first! I know a single adult Artemis and although she’s a bit of a wallflower, her name is so utterly rock n roll that it always makes me think she must be a bit more bad-ass than she lets on!

Artemis and Primrose don’t “go”, as you yourself have pointed out. Misty (or Missy) and Posy do though? Don’t like Artie. But as your husband says: “going” is a bit of a parental preoccupation anyway, it doesn’t matter to kids and certainly won’t matter to an adult. I’d be more concerned with how the individual name reflects on her?

Dorothy and Primrose go better together but I don’t like Dottie. Love Penelope but the alliteration, twice over (Posy P and Penny P) is too much. Nel is a much nicer nickname anyway and (going back to the unimportant “go together” issue) Posy and Nel sound nice together? So I say go with the exquisite Artemis but otherwise Penelope nn Nel.

tzarine · 05/02/2022 00:29

penelope
adore this name

TheAbbotOfUnreason · 05/02/2022 00:18

If your surname is Pitstop then you can really only go for Penelope.