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Baby names

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

Original poster

Percy as a girls name - thoughts?

59 replies

ellecf21 · 13/02/2022 20:26

Not my bag at all, but I'm watching The Sinner on Netflix and they use Percy for one of the female characters. It's strange how normal it sounds, really suits the character (let's ignore the plot), what are your thoughts?

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LittleGwyneth · 17/02/2022 17:12

I love it as a nn for Persephone, adorable.

merrymouse · 15/02/2022 05:34

I think the problem with Percy is more generational.

I’m fully on board with ‘great granny’ names like Elsie, but I think more time will have to pass before Percy doesn’t just imply an elderly man wearing a cravat.

As a genuine nick name it is fine if it suits the person, but Persephone is also a rather loaded name, given the myth.

WalkingOnSonshine · 14/02/2022 20:28

We watched it with subtitles and it’s definitely spelt Percy.

Original poster
ellecf21 · 14/02/2022 20:25

Never thought of the connection to Persephone! I haven't checked out how they are spelling it on The Sinner to be fair but maybe that is how they are using it.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 14/02/2022 19:53

Nope

TatianaBis · 14/02/2022 19:40

I like it because of Percy Bysshe Shelley who would be my (unfaithful) DH were we I not already married.

As a nn of Persephone it's cool.

QuinkWashable · 14/02/2022 09:39

I think it's better as a nickname for a girl than as the full name, but I don't see the problem

And this whole 'point Percy at the porcelain' - I have NEVER heard of outside of mumsnet! And lets face it, even if it's common in your neck of the woods, lots of men's names are used as euphemisms for penis!

Most names have associations with things, I really don't think that it's a justification for not using a name if you like it, and I really don't get the hatred of Percy - I think it's cute, and that's why M&S used it.

TrashyPanda · 14/02/2022 09:29

Percy for a girl is totally horrid.

Luredbyapomegranate · 14/02/2022 08:56

It’ll be short for Persephone I assume, which is OK, but I don’t think Percy is nice as a first name for either sex, or as a surname for that matter

KloppsTeeth · 14/02/2022 00:42

Percy Pecker do a nice bath bomb mould.

Or the film Percy from the 70s.

Percy Pig.

Susie salt goes on top of Percy Pepper.

No.

VeganIsTheFuture · 14/02/2022 00:35

Horrible for boy or girl. I can’t imagine looking at a lovely baby and thinking ‘I know, I’ll call him/her Percy’ 😂

RainbowMum11 · 14/02/2022 00:28

Persie - shortened from Persephone.

Love it, I know one and she's brilliant

Saltyquiche · 14/02/2022 00:28

Not my taste. Peony would have been better

groovergirl · 14/02/2022 00:27

@Ohjustboreoff

Another American TV show had a girl called Tristan. Seems to be an American thing calling girls traditionally boys names.
The Americans have been doing this since at least the '50s. I remember an actress named Michael popping up on the small screen. But does it confer any advantage on those girls, I wonder?

If you like the sound of Percy, maybe consider Circe -- the name of a powerful goddess.

OnlyAFleshWound · 14/02/2022 00:22

@Ohjustboreoff

Another American TV show had a girl called Tristan. Seems to be an American thing calling girls traditionally boys names.
But Tristan is a reasonably ok/acceptable name in itself (not my taste but not terrible)

Percy is just horrible in every way.

Lockdownbear · 14/02/2022 00:18

No - little green very useful engine!

Ellmau · 14/02/2022 00:09

People would think she's a boy.

But just about understandable if short for Persis or Persephone.

Ohjustboreoff · 13/02/2022 23:02

Another American TV show had a girl called Tristan. Seems to be an American thing calling girls traditionally boys names.

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/02/2022 22:53

Much prefer Persephone.

RobertSmithsLipstick · 13/02/2022 22:52

Just horrible.

Scarby9 · 13/02/2022 22:51

I know two child Percies - both Persephone.

ofwarren · 13/02/2022 22:50

"Point Percy at the porcelain"..
Seriously, it's an awful name for either sex.

Kitkat151 · 13/02/2022 22:50

Not even as a boys name🙄

EdgeOfACoin · 13/02/2022 22:47

@Kendodd

Would you call a boy Fanny?

Plenty of men called Dick.

Not these days.
Kendodd · 13/02/2022 22:21

Would you call a boy Fanny?

Plenty of men called Dick.