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Baby names

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

Original poster

Antigone?

132 replies

Toastwithtea · 20/02/2025 19:36

For a half Greek, half English baby girl? Living in the UK, outer London, if relevant!

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Overthebow · 20/02/2025 21:56

I like it, but she’ll probably be known as tiggy or tigger. I actually like tigger as a nickname though.

ScreamingBeans · 20/02/2025 21:53

Insufferably middle class.

And it would be shortened to Anti.

Or Gonnie.

Just no.

Sorry.

SophiaSW1 · 20/02/2025 21:53

@Heidi2018 that doesn't really apply when it's just random people that either do not know how to spell the name or cannot say it. I'm not talking about people she knows or is getting to know. It becomes annoying pretty quick when you have to tell/correct the vast majority of people,

BatchCookBabe · 20/02/2025 21:47

Toastwithtea · 20/02/2025 19:36

For a half Greek, half English baby girl? Living in the UK, outer London, if relevant!

As has been said, many people will pronounce it Anti-gonn. (With the emphasis on GONN.) I wouldn't use this name. It's like Persephone. Most people will read it out as Percy-fone..

Marylou2 · 20/02/2025 21:44

Beautiful! Tig or Tiggy as a pet name.

narcASD · 20/02/2025 21:41

I had to look up how to pronounce it so on that basis it's a definite no.

I have an unusual spelling for my first name and I bloody hate it, I've given up correcting people on how to spell my name, even though the name itself is not that usual

Heidi2018 · 20/02/2025 21:37

Titasaducksarse · 20/02/2025 21:31

Err, just once but I'm sure a lot of people would ask

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But everyone who meets someone for the first time has to say their name?

TheBirdintheCave · 20/02/2025 21:35

I love it! :) Such a pretty name.

Titasaducksarse · 20/02/2025 21:33

CurtainsCurtain · 20/02/2025 20:47

DS was born in the UK and has an unusual Irish name and surname. Few people knew how to pronounce it initially, but once they were told, they could, obviously. It’s never been an issue for him.

I quite like Antigone. My only question was whether you will die inside if she’s Tig or Tiggy to her friends.

I'd likely do better with Irish names, having an Irish SIL than Greek.

Titasaducksarse · 20/02/2025 21:31

Heidi2018 · 20/02/2025 20:56

How many times would you need to be told how to pronounce it?

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Err, just once but I'm sure a lot of people would ask

CrystalSingerFan · 20/02/2025 21:30

AsanteSana · 20/02/2025 19:51

It is a beautiful name, but has the unfortunate connotation of being associated with Oedipus and Jocasta and everything which goes with that

Yep!

Antigone was Oedipus's daughter. So here's a recording of Tom Lehrer's brilliant song 'Oedipus Rex' to give a bit more background for the OP. (Apologies if you knew this already.)

s

SemperIdem · 20/02/2025 21:26

I really like it. Went to school with one. No Greek heritage there, assume one of her parents was just well read.

TheWildZebra · 20/02/2025 21:20

It’s a nice name when you say it out loud, but read on a page it seems like the sister of Gaviscon (read it as anti gone)

HoppityBun · 20/02/2025 21:20

clary · 20/02/2025 20:31

@Movinghouseatlast so do you mean people in the UK when you say "how we pronounce Penelope"? bc I am in the UK and as I say, I stress the second syllable. I am pretty sure that's the standard UK pronunciation.

Nonsense. It rhymes with antelope as any fule no

BotterMon · 20/02/2025 21:14

It's a beautiful name. Brings back A level French learning the play by Jean Anouilh

Heidi2018 · 20/02/2025 21:05

To be fair I think hearing a name is a lot easier than trying to read it phonetically.

The majority of people are introduced orally, not by someone reading their name.

I think people saying "people won't be able to pronounce to or spell it" are rude. Ask and learn!

Original poster
Toastwithtea · 20/02/2025 21:05

CurtainsCurtain · 20/02/2025 20:47

DS was born in the UK and has an unusual Irish name and surname. Few people knew how to pronounce it initially, but once they were told, they could, obviously. It’s never been an issue for him.

I quite like Antigone. My only question was whether you will die inside if she’s Tig or Tiggy to her friends.

Thanks. I tend to agree. Our eldest also has a Greek name. People usually ask how to pronounce it if they’re unfamiliar with it, and then they mainly remember.

OP posts:
nahthatsnotforme · 20/02/2025 21:02

No one will Have heard of it, know how to pronounce or spell it.

Do you really want to saddle your child with that?

Easypeasymacncheesy · 20/02/2025 21:00

Heidi2018 · 20/02/2025 20:56

How many times would you need to be told how to pronounce it?

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Honestly, multiple.

I read up thread how to pronounce it and I’ve forgotten already.

Airpowercper · 20/02/2025 20:59

Nice name.

RIPVPROG · 20/02/2025 20:59

CurtainsCurtain · 20/02/2025 20:47

DS was born in the UK and has an unusual Irish name and surname. Few people knew how to pronounce it initially, but once they were told, they could, obviously. It’s never been an issue for him.

I quite like Antigone. My only question was whether you will die inside if she’s Tig or Tiggy to her friends.

I was at uni with an Antigone, Tig/Tiggy to her family, GoGo to her friends!

Newbie887 · 20/02/2025 20:57

Have never heard of this name…it sounds very striking / pretty when you know how to say it. However, I would have pronounced it “anti-gone” at a guess. I’m neither particularly well read or unread. I expect once you are off baby name sites and out into the wild with this particular name then you would forever be encountering people mispronouncing or forgetting how to pronounce it.

personally I feel that there are many beautiful, unusual names out there which are slightly more mainstream and so easier to wear in everyday life. Persephone, Anastasia, Penelope, if you are looking for a Greek alternative. Classical names like Juliette, Cordelia, Margot also have a similar vibe

Heidi2018 · 20/02/2025 20:56

Titasaducksarse · 20/02/2025 20:41

You and they would constantly be telling people how to pronounce it.

I'm thick...I assume it is not pronounced Anti Gone

How many times would you need to be told how to pronounce it?

ERthree · 20/02/2025 20:55

Alexis is much easier if you want Greek.

CurtainsCurtain · 20/02/2025 20:47

DS was born in the UK and has an unusual Irish name and surname. Few people knew how to pronounce it initially, but once they were told, they could, obviously. It’s never been an issue for him.

I quite like Antigone. My only question was whether you will die inside if she’s Tig or Tiggy to her friends.