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Baby names

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

Original poster

The name Ebony?

108 replies

happylittlesoul · 01/01/2023 22:41

Hi!

My baby girl is just over 2 weeks old with a full head of jet black hair. Her father is Jamaican so it’s likely she’ll inherit his curls, like her older sisters.

We haven’t been able to agree on a name yet, but we both like Ebony.

It’s not too unusual, but sort of unique, and sounds both soft and strong at the same time.

I’d like your opinions on the name please, do you like it? Have you met many?

Thank you in advance x

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fajitaaaa · 02/01/2023 20:24

I like Ebony I really dislike Esme sorry.

Original poster
happylittlesoul · 02/01/2023 20:23

Nosecamera · 02/01/2023 19:53

Ebony is good, or Aphra?

Oh I LOVE Aphra! What a gorgeous name :)

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AndyWarholsPiehole · 02/01/2023 20:23

I've never associated it with porn either, it's a lovely name. Especially with Delphine

Delphine is a famous porn woman. Pairing it with Ebony would be a terrible choice!

Original poster
happylittlesoul · 02/01/2023 20:20

TokenGinger · 02/01/2023 14:49

I had the same warnings of names when choosing a Yoruba name for my son, about what discrimination he might face in the future because of it. There was no way I wasn't using a name linked to his heritage because he might end up interviewing for a bigot in the future. Be proud of her heritage (which it sounds like you are), and bugger anybody who does want to discriminate against her because of her heritage. They'll do it regardless of her name if the person is that way inclined.

I think Ebony is beautiful.

Ah this is lovely! I wholeheartedly agree! I’m absolutely proud of her heritage I’m sure she will be too :) Thank you x

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MeJane · 02/01/2023 20:20

I've never associated it with porn either, it's a lovely name. Especially with Delphine.

Original poster
happylittlesoul · 02/01/2023 20:19

itsabigtree · 02/01/2023 19:42

Ebony Delphine is a gorgeous name. I'd love that to be my name!
For the record ive known both white and black Ebony's and never thought anything of it and defo never thought about porn

Thank you!! I’m glad to hear that :)

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Original poster
happylittlesoul · 02/01/2023 20:17

tunthebloodyalarmoff · 02/01/2023 19:04

I've never heard of that horrible connotation and it's shame the person has said that I really love it a d I bet it suits your little baby perfectly. If you love it then call her Ebony it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks except her dad of course !

Thank you so much!! :)

I do worry how many people will have that association now - but I still absolutely love the name for her. Choosing the right name is a tough job!

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MeJane · 02/01/2023 20:16

WestendVBroadway · 02/01/2023 19:53

@MeJane , sorry to derail the post. Your DH's ancestry sounds like mine. Were his parents/Grand Parents from Guyana perchance?

No they are from T and T so very, very close to Guyana. 🇹🇹

I wouldn't avoid a name because people might think you are black when you are black. But I do think calling a white child Ebony is a strange choice.

ZuckerwatterMaus · 02/01/2023 20:12

Lovely name x

Dominoeffecter · 02/01/2023 20:10

I knew a girl called Ebony 20 odd years ago, I think you should go for it if you like it, I’ve never heard of the porn category and I doubt it’s the first thing that comes to most peoples minds.

purpleme12 · 02/01/2023 20:06

Because they like the name

toomuchlaundry · 02/01/2023 20:05

Why would someone call a pale skinned, blonde haired child Ebony? I know this doesn’t apply to you @happylittlesoul

Newmum110 · 02/01/2023 19:59

Beautiful name.

Reugny · 02/01/2023 19:56

Newnamenewname109870 · 02/01/2023 15:37

This makes no sense as there are lots of names that are seen as ‘black names’ or ‘foreign names’ or ‘posh names’. Whatever! The point is that lots of applications are done blind to stop this.

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It depends on what names are in fashion and where the OP lives.

I know white people with names that sound stereotypically black or South Asian only because of the age of the person. If they were about 50 years younger (or 50 years older depending on the name) no one would presume their skin colour.

WestendVBroadway · 02/01/2023 19:53

@MeJane , sorry to derail the post. Your DH's ancestry sounds like mine. Were his parents/Grand Parents from Guyana perchance?

Nosecamera · 02/01/2023 19:53

Ebony is good, or Aphra?

AndyWarholsPiehole · 02/01/2023 19:50

The porn thing is what would put me off using it.

itsabigtree · 02/01/2023 19:42

Ebony Delphine is a gorgeous name. I'd love that to be my name!
For the record ive known both white and black Ebony's and never thought anything of it and defo never thought about porn

RhubarbFairy · 02/01/2023 19:14

One of my closest friends is an Ebony. She's white. I think it's a beautiful name.

tunthebloodyalarmoff · 02/01/2023 19:04

I've never heard of that horrible connotation and it's shame the person has said that I really love it a d I bet it suits your little baby perfectly. If you love it then call her Ebony it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks except her dad of course !

Original poster
happylittlesoul · 02/01/2023 17:56

Roselilly36 · 02/01/2023 17:42

Many congrats, lovely choice.

Thank you very much :)

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Roselilly36 · 02/01/2023 17:42

Many congrats, lovely choice.

Original poster
happylittlesoul · 02/01/2023 17:40

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/01/2023 16:44

Yes this is why I wouldn’t use it TBH.

How about Elodie?

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I like Elodie, just not as much. DH also doesn’t think it would suit her at all.

Is this an association that would be commonly known? I wasn’t familiar with the term in that context but surely it was a name before it was used in this way?

Thank you for the suggestion :)

OP posts:
Original poster
happylittlesoul · 02/01/2023 17:36

Els1e · 02/01/2023 15:03

I like it and probably just me, but I prefer Esme. Congrats on your new baby.

Thank you! My little sister prefers Esme too… it was admittedly my first choice for her. It’s increasingly popular - my only reservation really.

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Luredbyapomegranate · 02/01/2023 16:44

inquisitorgeneral · 02/01/2023 10:47

"Ebony" is a term used in pornography to fetishise black women. I don't know how prevalent it is, but it's worth being aware of, especially as your child begins using the internet and might Google her name.

Yes this is why I wouldn’t use it TBH.

How about Elodie?