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Baby names

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

Original poster

Hephzibah

86 replies

Flangelica · 09/07/2022 05:34

Is this name outrageous? I've always loved it - knew one, nicknamed 'Ephy' which is also one of my favorite nicknames. And the meaning is lovely. But it's too much, isn't it?

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SeanChailleach · 10/07/2022 22:50

I've only ever heard it pronounced Hepsibah, not with an f sound that I am aware of. Now I wonder if I hadn't noticed. It's such an old name, there are bound to be variations.

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 10/07/2022 20:34

I love it and have a friend who rocks the name. She's often known as Eppie. Some weird responses on this thread bordering on racism.

HoldingTheDoor · 10/07/2022 09:22

It's an awful name. It has such an unattractive sound.

VincaBlue · 10/07/2022 09:18

I knew it from Carrie's War too. I like it

Original poster
Flangelica · 10/07/2022 05:37

Thank you for all the comments!

Interesting that people seem to pronounce it differently.

Some people like 'hef', and others 'hep'. How do you pronounce it?

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Original poster
Flangelica · 10/07/2022 05:34

eatsleepswimdive · 09/07/2022 21:29

It’s a ridiculous name and I’ve never come across anyone Jewish with the name, so def not one on most Jewish peoples radar

What a funny post @eatsleepswimdive ! 😂 Just because you've not heard of a name doesn't mean that literally no Jewish people have 😂

Hephzibar was the wife of Hezekiah and mother of Manasseh. The name is also mentioned again in Isaiah to refer to Jerusalem. I believe most Jewish people are familiar with the prophet Isaiah and the kings of Judah! There's even a Jewish poster on this thread who said she considered using it. This made me laugh.

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EveSix · 09/07/2022 22:41

I know a gorgeous Hephzibah. Great name. Zibi for short. As far as I know, never has to spell it or correct pronunciation; it's not as if it's made up, but a well-known Biblical name.

SeanChailleach · 09/07/2022 22:34

One of my favourites. Lovely name. Bit Jewish/ Welsh chapel but I know three who aren't either of those backgrounds. Maybe it's a bit of a classical music thing?

cheapskatemum · 09/07/2022 22:32

My friend called her daughter this because of the meaning: from memory "You are much loved" (4th child, first girl). Said daughter had many of the problems raised by PPs, people couldn't spell it or pronounce it. She got round this by saying, "I'm Hepsi, like Pepsi, but with an H."

TheFormidableMrsC · 09/07/2022 22:14

I know somebody who has this as a middle name. It's lovely I think!

BanjoVio · 09/07/2022 22:11

When I say ‘Hephzibah’ out loud it reminds me of ‘Heifer’ like the cow. If you like Ephy (adorable!) call her Ephy 💁🏼‍♀️

Hepzibar · 09/07/2022 22:08

I like it😀

IllDoItButOnlyForTheAttention · 09/07/2022 22:06

ignatiusjreilly · 09/07/2022 21:09

It makes me think of Pollyanna telling Nancy (who hates her name and wishes it was something more interesting), "At least your name isn't Hephzibah! Can you think of anything more awful?" or words to that effect.

It works and Nancy is relieved and glad to be called Nancy after that.

Personally I like Hephzibah as I love interesting names, but I wouldn't bestow it on my own daughter.

Ahh, I was reading this thread, trying to remember what I'd seen or read as a child where this was used as an exemplar of an ugly name - must have been that! I think that must have stuck and influenced me, as I now find it a really unappealing name.

GreatStuff67 · 09/07/2022 21:55

ChagSameachDoreen · 09/07/2022 20:57

Incidentally, my Hebrew-speaking DH says it "Heff-ZEE-bah" with the emphasis on the second syllable. I grew up pronouncing it HEPP-zeebar.

Honestly, all I can hear now is a German person saying 'Help! The bar!' 🤷🍻

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 09/07/2022 21:52

YES carries war that was the book - thanks 😁I must read it again. It had Mrs Gotobed in it to.

ijustcouldntthinkofausername · 09/07/2022 21:51

If I didn't read the thread topic I'd have thought it was some sort of infection or a new strain of covid 😬 sorry
It's too out there for me IMO

MadisonAvenue · 09/07/2022 21:49

I’ve loved it since reading Carrie’s War as a child.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 09/07/2022 21:48

I should add the Welsh were quite keen on the more obscure bible names for their children. I had a childhood book with it in, something about a screaming skull I think.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 09/07/2022 21:45

I love it, its very Welsh though. Certain;y the older generation in my family may have had a few of them but not recently, a bit like Edith or Elsie now.
I think it needs to make a comeback especially if you have Welsh roots.

DiscoBadgers · 09/07/2022 21:43

I knew one at school, but everyone called her Zippy or Zipper

LaLaLouella · 09/07/2022 21:36

Oh I love an old testament name!

Hephzibah is pretty awesome but just pipped to the post for me by Tziphora which I've never heard before but is definitely going to be the name of my next kitten....

eatsleepswimdive · 09/07/2022 21:29

It’s a ridiculous name and I’ve never come across anyone Jewish with the name, so def not one on most Jewish peoples radar

ignatiusjreilly · 09/07/2022 21:09

It makes me think of Pollyanna telling Nancy (who hates her name and wishes it was something more interesting), "At least your name isn't Hephzibah! Can you think of anything more awful?" or words to that effect.

It works and Nancy is relieved and glad to be called Nancy after that.

Personally I like Hephzibah as I love interesting names, but I wouldn't bestow it on my own daughter.

VerbenaGirl · 09/07/2022 21:02

I wanted this for my first-born. Hard “no” from DH. On reflection, it would have been too much for her (or DD2 come to think of it - even though she has a much bigger personality).

ChagSameachDoreen · 09/07/2022 20:57

Incidentally, my Hebrew-speaking DH says it "Heff-ZEE-bah" with the emphasis on the second syllable. I grew up pronouncing it HEPP-zeebar.