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Baby names

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

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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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ChagSameachDoreen · 09/07/2022 20:55

I ADORE Hephzibah! I wanted it for DD but he said it was too out-there (even though we're Jewish!)

Penguinevere · 09/07/2022 19:54

It’s not outrageous.

I was nearly a Hephzibah.

IsThePopeCatholic · 09/07/2022 19:47

Love it!

GoldenEclipse · 09/07/2022 18:55

Hepp-zee-bar.

Original poster

Flangelica · 09/07/2022 18:50

Agreed; it's an Old Testament name so no weirder for a Christian to use than a Jewish person 😊

OP posts:

JaneJeffer · 09/07/2022 13:55

Diarmuid Gavin called his daughter this but she's known as Eppie

SausageAndCash · 09/07/2022 13:52

ElEmEnOhPee · 09/07/2022 11:38

Is it really an odd choice for someone who isn't Jewish? I've come across the name a few times in my family tree and they were Welsh Methodists 🤔

Show quote history

It’s an Old Testament name, so arguably no more Jewish than Rachel or Deborah or Miriam.

The one in our family was Methodist too. Quite typical for so-called ‘low church’ name rather than saints names. Think Amish, and Cold Comfort Farm names: Amos, Reuben, Seth for boys.

For the poster who thought it more Jacob R-M style: my aunt was a Sheffield steel factory worker.

SausageAndCash · 09/07/2022 13:44

I love it.

When I was little I had a great aunt Hepzibah, known as Epsy. (long enough ago for this name to be popular again).

Actually it is my current favourite girls name were I to be expecting one.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 09/07/2022 13:38

I was very, very sorely tempted to call my daughter 'Ephedra', it would have resulted in nickname, Effie, no doubt but I like that. Given though what the plant's properties are it may also have resulted in 'Zippy'? Win-win!

Alas, I didn't. It's too late for another one and she won't stand for re-naming now, I know it!

SummerLobelia · 09/07/2022 13:25

Solosunrise · 09/07/2022 13:16

SummerLobelia · 09/07/2022 13:10

Zippy would be slightly ridiculous nn for me as I am a very sedentary sort of person.

But Tziporah- what a fab name. i almost want a third child just so I can use it!

Too late for me.
Gonna need grandchildren 😁

WhackingPhoenix · 09/07/2022 13:15

I know one! She is completely up her own arse and I associate it only with her so the name is forever ruined for me

SummerLobelia · 09/07/2022 13:10

Zippy would be slightly ridiculous nn for me as I am a very sedentary sort of person.

But Tziporah- what a fab name. i almost want a third child just so I can use it!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 09/07/2022 13:04

Imagine having a nickname of 'Zippy'; excellent! I also like Tippi (Hedren).

SummerLobelia · 09/07/2022 13:01

I like it. I also love Tziporah who was Moses' wife and lends itself to the fabulous nickname of Tzippi (Zippy).

If I had had a girl I might have gone for either.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 09/07/2022 13:00

Solosunrise... Eppie, as in 'Eppi-pen' for adrenalin shots?

I've seen a variation of that, 'Effi' and that seems to be clear of association with anything else.

Julymakesmecry1999 · 09/07/2022 12:55

If I knew how it was pronounced I might like it.
However, I have never heard it before so I'm sure I am saying it wrong in my head.

AprilRae91 · 09/07/2022 12:55

Just googled it, my Old Testament knowledge is obviously very poor 😅

Solosunrise · 09/07/2022 12:51

I love it! I also remember it from SilasMarner. The little girl was known as Eppie .

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 09/07/2022 12:48

I usually never comment on names but I thought this one was a joke, sorry.

Hephzibah. Shortened (as kids do) - Hep, or Hepsi - or even Hep C. (Hepatitis C).

I wouldn't. If people would always use the full name then it would be fine. But they won't.

Theimpossiblegirl · 09/07/2022 12:43

I love it! Also Welsh. It's not as outlandish as youneek spellings of more common names.
Ephy is a cool nickname too.

AprilRae91 · 09/07/2022 12:39

Is it a demon or name for Satan or something? Very odd name.

Yika · 09/07/2022 12:34

I really like it. I know of one so it doesn’t seem too ‘out there’ to me.

SammyScrounge · 09/07/2022 11:59

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?

It is outrageous. Sorry but your little girl won't thank for you for that name name

AlwaysLatte · 09/07/2022 11:42

I wouldn't know if it's pronounced Hepzibar or Heffzibar, so I would expect a lifetime of telling people who to say it. One of our no-nos when choosing our children's names were any names that could be mispronounced.

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