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Baby names

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

Original poster

Calliope

64 replies

chitter87 · 15/05/2022 19:58

What are people's thoughts on Calliope (Ka/Kuh-Lie-Oh-Pea) with a nickname of Callie?

We love "different" and toying with this currently 😊

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notreadyforthisgelatinousbooty · 16/05/2022 09:31

To be honest, I find it quite pretentious. I also think it would get mispronounced a lot.
I'm not sure myself how to say it - I've read that Americans say kuh-LIE-uh-pee with the "lie" sound, but actual Greeks say it more like kah-lee-OH-pee, so I wouldn't know which one to use.

KirstenBlest · 16/05/2022 09:28

@ReadtheReviews , Calliope is 4 syllables not 3. It's nice but a bit of a mouthful.

Ottilie is nice if you say it the german way, Ott-ill-ee-uh, but I think it's just Ottilly in the UK.

ReadtheReviews · 16/05/2022 09:22

Knew a girl called Calico which is my favourite of thr Callies. I think Calliope sounds nice in theory but as with most frilly three syllable names it's a bit tio much of a mouthful in practice. Nowhere near Ottilie levels though and that is everywhere.

averythinline · 16/05/2022 09:09

I like it but also read as cally-oh-pea..but am sure would adjust once I'd met one! really like Callie as a nn know a lovely one...but she was a Callista....

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2022 08:50

I always think of callipers too.

Fleur405 · 16/05/2022 08:47

Remember that it’s not you who will have to spend her whole life repeating her name/spelling her name/correcting the pronunciation/giving up correcting the pronunciation….

KirstenBlest · 16/05/2022 08:42

Callipers

Mumofgirls2017 · 16/05/2022 08:03

I love it and nn Callie

bozna · 16/05/2022 02:35

Lovely name! Will definitely come with many mistakes to how to pronounce it because phonics doesn't comply to everything. But once you T

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 16/05/2022 02:12

Never watched Grey's Anatomy, however, my first thought was an Orthopaedic condition.

BarbaraWoodlouse · 16/05/2022 02:01

Callie is married to Arizona in Grey’s Anatomy…

I love Callie but less keen on Calliope. Apparently it can also be short for Caroline or Callista (though that will start the Ally McBeal comparisons 😃)?

peaceinourtime · 16/05/2022 01:45

Its terrible, it looks like cantaloupe.

Kite22 · 15/05/2022 23:29

I don't like it either.

Nor did I say it as you say it should be said, when I read it.

It sounds medical to me.

AdriftAbroad1 · 15/05/2022 23:23

Love it.

I have an unusual name mentioned on this thread. People mispronounce it, not so much now as it[s famous, but so what?

Most classical names are Greek in origin surely? Don[t know why you would presume Greek heritage.

Beautiful name, go for it! Lovely for a little girl, lovely for a professional woman, lovely nicknames.

blameitonthecaffeine · 15/05/2022 23:15

I like it. For Callie, I prefer Calista, Clarissa or Calypso but I think Calliope is very pretty too.

drpet49 · 15/05/2022 23:13

Don’t like it all

Firebird83 · 15/05/2022 23:11

Love it

SecretVictoria · 15/05/2022 20:50

I think loads would pronounce it as ‘cally-ope’, that’s how it always reads in my head, even though I know how it’s pronounced. Same with Hermione, I always read it as ‘Hermi-own’.

GeminiTwin · 15/05/2022 20:49

I have a guy friend called Calliope.

Pronounced cah lee ope

Gets called Callie and sometimes cayley for short.

I think it's a great name

Eightiesfan · 15/05/2022 20:46

Love it, I read a book where one of the characters was called Calliope (also shortened to Callie)

Latenightreader · 15/05/2022 20:37

The muse of poetry! I like it, and love Callie and Poppy as short forms.

Original poster
chitter87 · 15/05/2022 20:35

MayMi · 15/05/2022 20:33

At a quick glance, I thought this said 'Cellotape' 🤷🏼‍♀️ sorry

🤣🤣🤣 Hahaha, brilliant!

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Original poster
chitter87 · 15/05/2022 20:34

ProclivityForPyrotechnics · 15/05/2022 20:10

Arizona?

??

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Original poster
chitter87 · 15/05/2022 20:34

Beees · 15/05/2022 20:17

It's always worth remembering with names that are likely to cause problems being pronounced that whilst it might not bother you, it may bother your child.

Also the character is a main character she's not awful but has her moments and will be the first thing most people think of as the name is so uncommon and the show has run for so long.

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Thank you for this, I may have to have a little look and watch some to see if her character puts me off the name!

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Original poster
chitter87 · 15/05/2022 20:33

mubarak86 · 15/05/2022 20:08

It's a Greek name and Poppy is the typical nickname. I think it's lovely.

We've heard the typical nickname is Poppy actually and also love that should she end up veering that way with her name.

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