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Baby names

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

Original poster

Zephyr for a girl

115 replies

mhck · 17/04/2023 10:45

I gave birth to a baby girl a week ago. My husband and I both love the name Zephyr and would like to give her this name. Years ago I knew a woman in the US named Zephyr so to me it's always been a name I've seen as a girl's name. Having looked into the name more it seems that in Europe it is mostly used as a boys name, although there are also some who see it as a unisex name as it is in the US.

I love the name and would really love to use it for our girl but I'm filled with doubt over whether the name is too much a boys name...

If we go for Zephyr I imagine her nickname would be Zeffie/Zephy.

Would really welcome hearing thought on Zephyr as a girl's name. Thanks so much!

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ZoyaTheDestroyer · 25/04/2023 19:40

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 24/04/2023 12:10

Congratulations OP! Be warned that people will continue to find this thread, won’t read your update, and will continue to give you their opinion of the name in response to your OP. You might like to ask MNHQ to close the thread to new comments.

Ahem.

welshpolarbear · 25/04/2023 19:31

bamboonights · 25/04/2023 17:16

It sounds like a boys name and it's awful.

Op has already made her choice, what good is a rude reply like this going to do anyone?

bamboonights · 25/04/2023 17:16

It sounds like a boys name and it's awful.

UrsulaBelle · 25/04/2023 10:23

I knew a really cool lad aged 22 or so now, called Zephyr, he's mixed race and suits the name well. For me, therefore, I see it as a boy's name but it would work for a girl, I think.

Kindofcrunchy · 25/04/2023 10:23

I love it! Congratulations OP. Your little girl will love her name :)

Inkypot · 25/04/2023 10:20

The name Zephyr doesn't strongly say boy or girl to me.
It's not a name I'd have used but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. If you both love it and you feel it suits your little bundle then go for it. I really like the nickname you suggested of Zephy, I think that's incredibly cute!
Congratulations on your little one!

Inkypot · 25/04/2023 10:17

WhirlAndCleek · 17/04/2023 16:21

I rarely comment on these threads because I think it’s mean to ruin a name that the new parents love, but imagine DD as a professional adult, how would she feel introducing herself to her clients?

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMYWHW8pQ/

The usual MN response. I have a somewhat unusual name in real life, and shock horror I'm a professional now.
It has had zero impact on my professional life, clients accept that I am capable in my role and colleagues are perfectly able to see that I'm as responsible as someone with a more classic name.
It honestly has no bearing on anyone's abilities or future prospects. Anyone who would judge another over their name has their own issues going on and frankly I wouldn't want to work with someone like that in the first place.

caramac04 · 25/04/2023 10:10

Initially I did think a boys name but imagining a girl with that name and I really like it. It’s cool but not weird. Kind of wish I’d thought of it for one of my dc.

whatausername · 25/04/2023 10:08

Oops didn't RTFT :-D

whatausername · 25/04/2023 10:08

Farty.

fairycupcakes · 25/04/2023 00:43

Aww congratulations @mhck!! Hoping you & baby Zephyr are doing well. Zephy/Zephie will be such a cute nn! 💐

Longdarkcloud · 24/04/2023 12:31

I think it’s great. There won’t be so many around that people will automatically categorise it as a boys only name

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 24/04/2023 12:10

Congratulations OP! Be warned that people will continue to find this thread, won’t read your update, and will continue to give you their opinion of the name in response to your OP. You might like to ask MNHQ to close the thread to new comments.

Elspethelf · 24/04/2023 11:44

Congratulations OP!

Original poster
mhck · 23/04/2023 17:55

Thanks for all the opinions! She is Zephyr with some very girly middle names in case she ever wanted a more feminine name option. Appreciate the name is not to everyone's taste but that we always knew would be the case :)

OP posts:
CatsTheWayToDoIt · 23/04/2023 14:21

My advice, as a mum of three whose names have never been in the top 400 for popularity, is that if you love the name go for it!!! No, not everyone likes it. But remember when you were picking names and you both had names you hated? For instance I hate Susan and Laura as the bullies at my school had those names. You can not please everyone. And not should you try. (For what it’s worth I like zephyr, never heard of the car, do actually know a couple of boy zephyrs but then again I live in Brighton).

PappedOot · 23/04/2023 13:12

It’s a motorbike? I think

or windy 💨😂

Sleepyandconfused · 23/04/2023 13:07

Lovely. I know a female Zephyr (Zephy). Think it’s beautiful and rare.

ejbaxa · 23/04/2023 12:59

Sorry but it sound a bit like the name of a Pokémon

StopStartStop · 23/04/2023 12:54

My grandad drove a Ford Zephyr.

Strugglingtodomybest · 23/04/2023 12:13

cariadlet · 23/04/2023 10:10

Are those talking about hot air balloons thinking of zeppelins?

Possibly 😁

cariadlet · 23/04/2023 10:10

Are those talking about hot air balloons thinking of zeppelins?

ladygindiva · 23/04/2023 09:59

I think it's lovely. I have a friend with a ds Zephaniah , Zephy for short which I think is lovely and works for both sexes.

WhatEasterEgg · 23/04/2023 08:17

I like it! I think of it as a girl name and also have positive associations with the chillis song. And OP for all the negative opinions here (which are valid) remember they are just opinions and most names will be divisive. If we all liked the same thing it would be so dull. Call your little girl Zephyr if you love it. I'm sure she'll suit it beautifully.

Strugglingtodomybest · 23/04/2023 07:49

AngeloMysterioso · 18/04/2023 23:27

Fly away owwwwwwwn my zephyr…
it’s no Under The Bridge.

Show quote history

Just what I was thinking, and now I've got the song stuck in my head!

Op, I wouldn't think it was a boy's name if I heard it, as I've never heard it as a name before. I know it as a hot air balloon.