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Baby names

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

Original poster

Phoebe or Hermione?

68 replies

Flangelica · 08/07/2022 05:41

Which do you prefer and why?

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MrsDooDaa · 17/11/2022 07:16

have a Phoebe. No one has ever called her Pheebs.

Undertheoldlindentree · 17/11/2022 07:02

I always thought I'd call my own DD Hermione, but then she was born in peak HP years and it seemed too much. At this point in time, I definitely would. It reminds me of the beautiful island of Herm (Channel Islands). Would be a great namesake and special place to take her to visit.

Searchingforsunshine · 17/11/2022 06:22

Phoebe

LadyCatStark · 14/07/2022 12:44

I like Hermione and I always wonder why it’s not more popular. Phoebe is too popular IMHO. Although when the Harry Potter books first came out (showing my age!) my friend pronounced it Hermy-1 😂.

Orangemoons · 14/07/2022 12:17

I love Phoebe, one of my favourite names. Hermione is too HP for me, but I don’t particularly like the sound of it without the HP connection either.

AppleJack263 · 14/07/2022 11:38

Pheobe

CruCru · 14/07/2022 11:35

I like Hermione but there will always be people who don’t know how to pronounce it (even after Harry Potter). How much will it annoy you to have people announce “Hermy-own Smith!” At the doctors?

Phoebe is more well know but will have the same problem.

Ikeameatballs · 13/07/2022 23:09

I really don’t like Hermione, even without the HP connection. I think it’s the “Herm” sound at the beginning that puts me off.

I like Joy as a mn.

SkirridHill · 13/07/2022 22:26

My preference would be Phoebe. Beautiful name.

TuftyMarmoset · 13/07/2022 22:21

I do know a (grown up) Hermione and like it on her but I agree nowadays it’s too strongly linked to HP so would go with Phoebe. The Hermione I know goes by the full name.

BiscuitLover3678 · 13/07/2022 22:18

I like Phoebe a lot but it’s very popular atm. I also really like Hermione and I don’t think it matters about Harry Potter. You could use the German Hermine (pronounced Her-mee-neh)

Cocowatermelon · 12/07/2022 12:00

Flangelica · 08/07/2022 15:22

I'm confused - Hermy-own? 🤦🏽‍♀️

Show quote history

It’s a Harry Potter joke. JK Rowling included a dialogue where Hermione explains to a boyfriend how to pronounce her name properly. He was saying it Hermy-Own instead if Her MY Oh Nee.

FlamingoDust · 11/07/2022 18:48

Hermione is my personal preference. I have never liked Phoebe (no reason just personal taste!) But I also think Phoebe is so overused.

Namechange192727171 · 09/07/2022 10:56

Oh god i hate Phoebe! The sound just makes my skin crawl 😂

I'd choose Hermione

Luredbyapomegranate · 09/07/2022 10:48

If you like them equally I’d go for Hermione, as it’s less popular and Pheeebs is annoying

daisypond · 09/07/2022 00:01

I like both. I know an adult Hermione in her 70s. It doesn’t scream Harry Potter to me, more the Greek myths. It is an ancient name.

Bellysmackers · 08/07/2022 16:25

Phoebe for my vote, it's timeless.

DontLikeCoffee · 08/07/2022 16:23

Does the Hermione you know get her name shortened?

No, never!

xmasaries · 08/07/2022 16:21

Really like them both!!

Original poster
Flangelica · 08/07/2022 15:22

Cocowatermelon · 08/07/2022 15:05

Hermione nick name Hermy-Own?

I'm confused - Hermy-own? 🤦🏽‍♀️

OP posts:
Cocowatermelon · 08/07/2022 15:05

Hermione nick name Hermy-Own?

SpaceJamtart · 08/07/2022 14:49

I like Hermione a lot more, it doesn't say harry potter super fan to me as it is also a regular name in the uk, just like being called Harry, Tom, Molly, George, Charlie etc but Bellatrix, Sirius, Luna, Albus etc would.

I know two adults called Hermione- one is always called Hermione and the other goes by Nina and a toddler who is currently 'Miney' because her brother cant say it yet

Original poster
Flangelica · 08/07/2022 14:41

(I genuinely love the sound of both names)

OP posts:
Original poster
Flangelica · 08/07/2022 14:40

I like both names because they're the names of strong biblical women. Phoebe was obviously named in the bible as a deacon(ess) but Hermione was the name of one of Philip's daughters, a 'prophetess' who was especially selfless and caring in the early church. She wasn't named in the bible as anything other than a daughter of Philip, but was name in several other ancient documents. So in this sense they go perfectly together for me - i wanted strong female namesakes for my daughters to look up to, and love biblical names for their strength and age and stories attached to them - but maybe they're too different in popular culture to 'go'? As one (Phoebe) is currently very trendy and the other (Hermione) seems a little 'Harry Potter superfan' as it's been pretty rare other than being known through Harry Potter 🤔

OP posts:
toastofthetown · 08/07/2022 14:29

I much prefer Hermione, even with the Harry Potter connection. Phoebe is a total snooze to me.