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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ophelia nn Hallie?

59 replies

user772263 · 02/08/2022 11:33

Hi! Do you think Hallie could be a suitable nickname for Ophelia? I think Hellie would work as 'hel' features in Ophelia, but would Hallie work?

OP posts:
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TulipDay · 02/08/2022 16:27

Any nickname can be used. People have all sorts of nicknames, often bearing no relation to the name. The name Elizabeth has been around for so long that many nicknames that people would consider acceptable have evolved over the centuries. They all started somewhere. Use the nickname you want. It doesn't matter if not everyone uses it or they pick a different one. There aren't rules, even though some people stress about "incorrect" ones being used. I knew a Dot short for Charlotte growing up. It was deemed incorrect on a mumsnet thread, but in real life no one cared and it was used fondly.

Original poster
user772263 · 02/08/2022 16:19

pinklavenders · 02/08/2022 16:16

as 'hel' features in Ophelia

But it's pronounced not hel but fel Confused

It's still part of the name, which is what's most important to us. After all, Jack can be the nickname for John and they share nothing but the first initial!

Having thought about it, I think we've decided to go with either Hellie or Lia!

OP posts:
Original poster
user772263 · 02/08/2022 16:18

pinklavenders · 02/08/2022 16:15

in our accent it sounds like 'Off-eell-ee-ah' hence the suggestion 'Hellie'!

Everyone pronounces it Off eell ee ah.

Natural nicknames include Offie or Feely.

Feely is awful 😂
I think we'll go with either Hellie or Lia!

OP posts:
ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 02/08/2022 16:16

She would be bound to be a Phee. Really hard to avoid it.

pinklavenders · 02/08/2022 16:16

as 'hel' features in Ophelia

But it's pronounced not hel but fel Confused

pinklavenders · 02/08/2022 16:15

in our accent it sounds like 'Off-eell-ee-ah' hence the suggestion 'Hellie'!

Everyone pronounces it Off eell ee ah.

Natural nicknames include Offie or Feely.

Louise0701 · 02/08/2022 16:10

@user772263 That still sounds nothing like hellie, sorry.

What about Ilaria?

Original poster
user772263 · 02/08/2022 15:39

SalviaOfficinalis · 02/08/2022 12:20

I mean anything could be a nick name but I’m not sure that Hallie is a natural diminutive of Ophelia - how are you pronouncing Ophelia?

We are Italian so in our accent it sounds like 'Off-eell-ee-ah' hence the suggestion 'Hellie'!

OP posts:
Friffle · 02/08/2022 13:55

It's a bit of a reach trying to get Hallie from Ophelia.

I'd rather be called Hallie given the choice. Ophelia is one of those names that's too open to 'hilarious' gags.

TheVanguardSix · 02/08/2022 13:39

It’s not impossible or a definite nope. I don’t feel it myself, OP, but then again, I know a Daisy whose actual name is Celia and I would never link those two names. You can make Hallie work and it’ll be fine. I’d go with Faye or Fifi or Fe. Fifi is, admittedly, a bit 🙄.

Louise0701 · 02/08/2022 13:36

@user772263 well you’ve just admitted yourself it’s a completely different name. I would think it ridiculous if someone introduced their child as Ophelia and followed with; but we call her Hallie.

just call her Hallie?

alanabennett · 02/08/2022 13:34

Ridiculous and completely contrived. If you like Hallie, call her Hallie.

DuchessOfSausage · 02/08/2022 13:32

I don't like Hallie or Ophelia.

PancakesWithCheese · 02/08/2022 13:00

You can’t get Hallie from Ophelia. To be honest I prefer Hallie as a name.

GreenManalishi · 02/08/2022 12:35

Ophelia would get Offie, or Philly or Phil, you can't just wangle a nickname out of another unrelated name. It won't stick.

chilledbubble · 02/08/2022 12:30

Absolutely doesnt work

Becknutmeg · 02/08/2022 12:30

SummerSummer8 · 02/08/2022 12:12

Ophelia is so beautiful :)

Mines called Ophelia

Enko · 02/08/2022 12:29

I dont think Hallie comes of Ophelia. Hallie is ok on its own imo.

I know 3 children/adults who got nn at school/uni that were not first used at home. In the case of 2 of them who are now adults even their parents use the nm now.

babyjellyfish · 02/08/2022 12:26

I can't see how you're getting Hallie from Ophelia, sorry.

Hallie is fine in its own right.

Otherwise:

Henrietta
Helena
Nathalie

GinUnicorn · 02/08/2022 12:25

Outside of the box but have you considered Calista nickname Callie? It’s a bit nearer.

girlmom21 · 02/08/2022 12:24

If you want to call your daughter Hallie call her Hallie.

AppleBottomRats · 02/08/2022 12:23

Hallie does not relate to Ophelia in any way, nor does Hellie. It’s pronounced Off-ee-lee-uh not Op-hell-ee-uh.

SirenSays · 02/08/2022 12:22

user772263 · 02/08/2022 11:44

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that! I don't know anyone who has a nickname that they were called at school that they weren't first called at home. Perhaps nicknames that derive from surnames, yes, but I don't think children are going to school and coming home with entirely new names...

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This is what happened to me. I was given a nickname by my best friend in year 2. I've used it almost exclusively since. My parents still use my given name, they're the only ones who do.

SalviaOfficinalis · 02/08/2022 12:20

I mean anything could be a nick name but I’m not sure that Hallie is a natural diminutive of Ophelia - how are you pronouncing Ophelia?

TabithaTittlemouse · 02/08/2022 12:16

Ophelia is beautiful. Why would you ruin it by calling her Hallie?

fwiw a friend is Ophelia and gets called Philly by some.

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