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Baby names

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

Original poster

Philomena

59 replies

Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 06:28

Okay I know I’ve posted too many threads, but I’m reading about saints and keep discovering names that I have never heard of before! Interested in what others think of them (although not necessarily planning to use any, more curious). What do you think of Philomena? I can’t decide it’s it’s really pretty with lovely nickname options, or just a bit much!

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Original poster
Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 15:54

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 23/01/2023 15:20

You could just call her Mina, like Mina Harker from Dracula. I like Mina. If I met a tiny Philomena I'd definitely be on the phone to my mother to tell her. Obviously all the elderly Philomenas I know were little Philomenas once upon a time, but it's hard to imagine that they weren't born as 84 year olds, rosary beads in one hand a copy of Ireland's Eye in the other.

I love this comment 😁😁😁

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Original poster
Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 15:53

(Although just to reiterate - I’m not even sure if Philomena is on our long list let alone the short list … it’s very far from being used by us! I’m just interested in the name as I was reading about saints earlier and it struck me as pretty but uncommon these days.)

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Original poster
Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 15:50

UsingChangeofName · 23/01/2023 15:07

I don't like it at all - I agree it is one of those old fashioned names that shouldn't be revived. That is obviously just my personal opinion.

However, if you think 'Phil' is awful, then you clearly can't use a long name which begins 'Phil' - Hmm - your poor dd isn't going to avoid people using that.

'Philly' just sounds like 'filly' which would be an awful thing to call anyone.

Actually in our culture it’s unheard of for nicknames to emerge organically as they do in the UK. Nicknames are selected alongside the first name or very shortly afterwards. So I can very easily choose her nickname as parents always choose nicknames here. I love Philly, Minnie and Mina! I think they’re so cute. I know a Philly and it really suits her so maybe that’s why I have a good association with the name

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StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 23/01/2023 15:20

You could just call her Mina, like Mina Harker from Dracula. I like Mina. If I met a tiny Philomena I'd definitely be on the phone to my mother to tell her. Obviously all the elderly Philomenas I know were little Philomenas once upon a time, but it's hard to imagine that they weren't born as 84 year olds, rosary beads in one hand a copy of Ireland's Eye in the other.

Cotswoldmama · 23/01/2023 15:10

I don't like it but I like the nicknames she could have like Mina or Minnie, I'd probably use one of those rather than Philomena because it would be my luck if I picked a name like that and my child ended up with the nickname Phil.

UsingChangeofName · 23/01/2023 15:07

I don't like it at all - I agree it is one of those old fashioned names that shouldn't be revived. That is obviously just my personal opinion.

However, if you think 'Phil' is awful, then you clearly can't use a long name which begins 'Phil' - Hmm - your poor dd isn't going to avoid people using that.

'Philly' just sounds like 'filly' which would be an awful thing to call anyone.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 23/01/2023 14:55

Little old Irish lady's name for me too. And not in a chic kinda way.

SeaweedGarters · 23/01/2023 14:40

Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 14:30

I should have added - I love the religious vibe! My other children have names linked to religion so it’s not a negative thing for me. I’ve not heard of a book or film, maybe I should research that!

The film with Steve Coogan and Judi Dench (and which is poor) is of the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith, about a woman's fifty year search for the child she was forced to give up for 'adoption' by paying Americans in a Magdalen laundry in Roscrea in the 1950s -- and discovers he has died of AIDS years previously, having tried in vain to find her.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philomena_(film)

Quite aside from that, in the context of Ireland it's a very much an unreclaimed elderly woman name -- Philomenas would be in their 80s now, along with Assumptas, Attractas and Conceptas. It makes me think of ancient nuns, cardigan sleeves full of used tissues, rosary beads, joylessness etc.

Think Gladys or Mavis, maybe?

Original poster
Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 14:32

Choconut · 23/01/2023 14:20

I don't like it. I think at school it would be shortened to Phil which is what happens with Phillipa and is awful too.

Phil! Phil is awful. Although I know three Philippas - one goes by Philly, one Pip, and the other the full name. So maybe Phil isn’t inevitable. I’d hate that!

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Original poster
Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 14:30

I should have added - I love the religious vibe! My other children have names linked to religion so it’s not a negative thing for me. I’ve not heard of a book or film, maybe I should research that!

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purplepencilcase · 23/01/2023 14:25

The book and film of Philomena is brutally sad. I don't think I'd use the name, as lovely as it might be.

Choconut · 23/01/2023 14:20

I don't like it. I think at school it would be shortened to Phil which is what happens with Phillipa and is awful too.

JoyPeaceHealth · 23/01/2023 14:11

Awful. I'm Irish so it doesn't sound fresh or undiscovered to me.
Really coukd not staple gun on a smile if you introduced me to your baby Philomena.

TrashyPanda · 23/01/2023 14:06

Really old fashioned.
and not in a good way.

makes me think of this lady
www.discogs.com/release/13066840-Philomena-Begley-And-Her-Ramblin-Men-Meet-The-Queen-Of-Country-Music/image/SW1hZ2U6NDM5OTYzNTA=

SummaLuvin · 23/01/2023 14:05

Ghastly. I cannot understand how people see appeal in it.

dustydewdrop · 23/01/2023 14:05

Xrays · 23/01/2023 08:28

It’s a bit too religious-y for me. It reminds me of nuns and convents. But I quite like Philippa which is a bit similar. Or even Phoebe if you’re looking for nice “P” names.

This for me too and not in a good way.

Pinkdafodils · 23/01/2023 14:01

Consufed · 23/01/2023 13:14

I don't like it, sorry. It sounds rather pretentious and fusty.

What does 'pretentious' mean? I genuinely don't know what the 'pretence' is? I do understand what 'fussy means'.

Consufed · 23/01/2023 13:14

I don't like it, sorry. It sounds rather pretentious and fusty.

ZacharinaQuack · 23/01/2023 12:40

I think Philomena Cunk has made it unusable now!

Viviennemary · 23/01/2023 12:39

I think it's totally dire. And there is that awful sad book and film with the same name. No.

HuntingoftheSnark · 23/01/2023 12:39

I think it's lovely.

Original poster
Rickandmortified100 · 23/01/2023 12:37

Leafblow · 23/01/2023 12:03

Personally I think its definitely a bit much, one of those old names that should stay unused - like Gertrude or Hortense.
I don't get the nicknames either Phil, like a middle aged man. Filo, like the pastry. Mena, like a menstural product. Meanie?

According to other naming sites, traditional nicknames would be Philly, Mina and Minnie - all of which I think are adorable!

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Leafblow · 23/01/2023 12:03

Personally I think its definitely a bit much, one of those old names that should stay unused - like Gertrude or Hortense.
I don't get the nicknames either Phil, like a middle aged man. Filo, like the pastry. Mena, like a menstural product. Meanie?

Swimmingpoolsally · 23/01/2023 11:48

I think it’s lovely. I also like Filomena

Pemba · 23/01/2023 11:47

Phyllida is a more correct spelling apparently.