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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is this a terrible name?

141 replies

RedPandaFluff · 04/03/2023 17:26

DH and I have just had a huge (lighthearted!) barney about what to call DD, due in summer. I love the name Ophelia and I know she's a tragic Shakespearean character but still love it and would happily use it (although obviously we won't use it as we won't both be in agreement!)

DH is adamant that it's a terrible name and doesn't think that anyone else would feel like me (ie make the connection but still think it's a beautiful name).

Naturally, the only thing for it is to throw it open to mumsnetters Grin

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ZoyaTheDestroyer · 05/03/2023 08:46

RosesAndHellebores · 04/03/2023 23:06

Beautiful name, tragic association. I like it very much but wouldn't use it for that reason.

Daphne?
Cordelia?

Daphne - turned into a tree to avoid rape by Apollo
Cordelia - hanged in prison

How are these associations any less tragic than Ophelia?

Enko · 05/03/2023 01:51

I'm with you op I like the name and draw the connection
I still think its a beautiful name.

Does dh have any suggestions?

Luredbyapomegranate · 05/03/2023 01:43

It’s not terrible, and I think it’s being used more than it was, but it is SO much associated with tragic Ophelia I wouldn’t

How about Olympia?

barca123 · 05/03/2023 01:20

AlwaysLatte · 05/03/2023 00:50

I like it, but our rule was that if one of us even slightly disliked a name it was out.

We’d have nothing left 😂

ScreamingTree · 05/03/2023 00:54

I think it's lovely. I know one with the nn Fifi.

AlwaysLatte · 05/03/2023 00:52

@Hesma Ophelia Legg 🤣

AlwaysLatte · 05/03/2023 00:50

I like it, but our rule was that if one of us even slightly disliked a name it was out.

user1492757084 · 05/03/2023 00:34

Ophelia is sweet but I think is better as a second name.
The complexity of sound should always have enough time to be spoken. A first name is often shortened.

Beaglesonlyplease · 04/03/2023 23:06

Personally I love it and know a barrister with that name.. so…

RosesAndHellebores · 04/03/2023 23:06

Beautiful name, tragic association. I like it very much but wouldn't use it for that reason.

Daphne?
Cordelia?

WhereIsMumHiding3 · 04/03/2023 23:01

Oh , she'll probably get called "Fi" by friends...

WhereIsMumHiding3 · 04/03/2023 23:00

Ophelia is a beautiful name

What would she be called as a nickname though? Friends will always shorten their name so you have to think it through & get in their first...!... Lia? O-P?

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 04/03/2023 21:53

It's a bit long and fussy for me and the potential 'feel ya' gags would put me off too. But I wouldn't think 'awful name' though if I met an Ophelia.

SomersetONeil · 04/03/2023 20:39

ririca · 04/03/2023 20:18

I think it's nice, though the "I feel ya" jokes would put me off, personally. I honestly don't think the Shakespeare thing is a big deal - Shakespeare didn't invent the name, and even if he did, lots of names have negative connotations. Most people won't pay it any mind.

Agree - I don’t get the ‘a fictitious person with the name has something bad happen to them so the name - and anyone who goes by it?! - is doomed and shouldn’t be used’ brigade.

Ophelia wouldn’t make my list, but I don’t have any issue with other people liking it for the name itself.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/03/2023 20:28

I think regardless, you can't use a name one of you hates.

RemoteControlDoobry · 04/03/2023 20:27

I love it.

ririca · 04/03/2023 20:18

I think it's nice, though the "I feel ya" jokes would put me off, personally. I honestly don't think the Shakespeare thing is a big deal - Shakespeare didn't invent the name, and even if he did, lots of names have negative connotations. Most people won't pay it any mind.

Twazique · 04/03/2023 19:58

@DemBonesDemBones Me too 😁

toastofthetown · 04/03/2023 19:56

Ophelia is a very trendy name. If it continues to rise as it it has it will be in the top hundred when the next data set is released.
names.darkgreener.com/#ophelia

I don’t think the tragic character is an off putting thing to most people who are naming babies. Reclaimed names (such as Delilah) and mythological names are huge trends, and those names often don’t come with cheery backstories. Personally the sudden and significant rise in popularity would bother me more than the history.

MrsSamR · 04/03/2023 19:54

Just to correct an often trotted out assumption on Mumsnet. I have read, seen and studied Hamlet (English Literature graduate) and still named my daughter Ophelia. Nobody even raises an eyebrow if you call your daughter Juliet or Tess but for some reason Ophelia seems to raise universal disdain. No idea why it bothers people so much. It's a beautiful name.

Sugargliderwombat · 04/03/2023 19:51

I've taught an ophelia, lovely girl and lovely name 🙂. I love the nickname fee too 😄

BellePeppa · 04/03/2023 19:48

I worked with an Ophelia back in the 80s, I thought it was a very unusual name (I knew of the Shakespeare connection). It’s ok but I’ve never been keen on those type of sounding names (Amelia, Camelia, Jamelia etc) I didn’t realise it’s become popular recently. It sounds posh, if that’s what you’re going for.

Twazique · 04/03/2023 19:47

What about Euphemia?

Barannca · 04/03/2023 19:46

I think it's a very nice name. It's not overly common and it's a lot nicer than some unusual names.

botheritsgone · 04/03/2023 19:45

I think it is a bit trying to hard to be different.

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