Zebedee | Mumsnet

dyma · 2025-11-01T08:31:30+00:00

Yea or nay as a middle name for Leo? Looking for something a bit unusual to balance out a short popular first name. Love Zebedee but is it too much? Family names not an option. Feel free to suggest other ideas (3 syllables or more ideally as surname is also short). TIA

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AmIEnough · 06/11/2025 07:53

Istanbol · 01/11/2025 08:34

No. I’m old enough to remember the Magic Roundabout

Me too!!! Definitely a “no” from me!

WearyAuldWumman · 04/11/2025 16:54

MidnightMeltdown · 03/11/2025 04:18

I quite like it. It’s a bible name, like Luke or John, so I don’t know why people are weird about it just because a tv character once had the same name! Magic roundabout is ancient. Anyone who remembers that will likely be in a nursing home by the time he’s a teenager. School kids won’t know about it.

I shall be 78 then. I shall endeavour to remain in my own home, just to be an awkward sod.

I'm trying to consider why it sounds odd - apart from the MR reference. Perhaps because we're simply not that used to polysyllabic names beginning with Z in English?

I do have Slavic relatives with forenames beginning with Z. There are some Slavic names I simply wouldn't consider for a child being brought up in an English speaking country, however.

Calliopespa · 04/11/2025 16:19

I'm not sure.

On the one hand it's quite a cool name. On the other hand, you are naming an actual person, not a plush zebra.

It would be excellent on a hamster or tortoise.

norwaynoway · 04/11/2025 07:30

i think I prefer Ermintrude.

HugoYorway · 04/11/2025 07:25

@MidnightMeltdown @RogueFemale , Err, I was born later than 1964 and know.

Silverbirchleaf · 04/11/2025 03:59

RogueFemale · 04/11/2025 01:42

Gabriel & Raphael are archangels, rather high in the order of Angelic beings, but below seraphim I think.

As for Zebedee, it's unlikely anyone younger than born in 1964 will have a clue.

Show quote history

Err, I was born later than 1964 and know.

RogueFemale · 04/11/2025 01:42

dyma · 01/11/2025 11:30

Yeah no religious connection to the name – I knew it was Biblical but wasn't aware that it had particularly religious connotations (assumed it was similar to e.g. Gabriel or Raphael, but obviously less used).

Gabriel & Raphael are archangels, rather high in the order of Angelic beings, but below seraphim I think.

As for Zebedee, it's unlikely anyone younger than born in 1964 will have a clue.

AgentPidge · 03/11/2025 22:39

HugoYorway · 01/11/2025 12:22

@Needspaceforlego , I've been looking in the cupboard for some shoe dye, so Dylon popped out like a jack-in-the box and alerted my brian.

😆

EleanorReally · 03/11/2025 07:30

MidnightMeltdown · 03/11/2025 04:18

I quite like it. It’s a bible name, like Luke or John, so I don’t know why people are weird about it just because a tv character once had the same name! Magic roundabout is ancient. Anyone who remembers that will likely be in a nursing home by the time he’s a teenager. School kids won’t know about it.

now that is rubbish!

Whichone2024 · 03/11/2025 06:57

Zander
Ziggy

muddyford · 03/11/2025 06:28

MidnightMeltdown · 03/11/2025 04:18

I quite like it. It’s a bible name, like Luke or John, so I don’t know why people are weird about it just because a tv character once had the same name! Magic roundabout is ancient. Anyone who remembers that will likely be in a nursing home by the time he’s a teenager. School kids won’t know about it.

The BBC are showing MR again. "Time for bed," said Zebedee to Florence.

How about Samson? Leo Samson. A biblical name and one of the Scilly islands.

BasilandTom · 03/11/2025 06:12

I taught a Zebedee a few years ago. Very cool kid. I really like it because of this child and don’t recall him being ridiculed or bullied about his name. Do it!

Sparklesandspandexgallore · 03/11/2025 05:46

No don’t use Zebedee.

tinytemper66 · 03/11/2025 04:52

Does he need a middle name? I have survived nearly 60 years without one.

MidnightMeltdown · 03/11/2025 04:18

I quite like it. It’s a bible name, like Luke or John, so I don’t know why people are weird about it just because a tv character once had the same name! Magic roundabout is ancient. Anyone who remembers that will likely be in a nursing home by the time he’s a teenager. School kids won’t know about it.

Ladybird69 · 03/11/2025 01:05

Love Zebedee, short Zeb.
Love Zeke too

Dutchhouse14 · 02/11/2025 22:52

Mmm I guess as a middle name you may get away with it!
But my first thought was zebedee from the magic roundabout. I didn't know it was a biblical name, learnt something new:)
But truth is no one really uses a middle name, kids not born yet probably will not become aware of magic roundabout context unless it makes a come back.

SleepingStandingUp · 02/11/2025 20:47

HugoYorway · 02/11/2025 13:23

It was a joke, @canyouseemyhousefromhere .

@SleepingStandingUp , Leo Persephone?

I did say on the next post id misread LeO as LeA

newbie202020 · 02/11/2025 20:22

I love it!

FettleOfKish · 02/11/2025 20:10

Couldn’t be more outing (but I’m out on this username anyway) but DH is Zeb, which is short for Zebastian. He hates when people ask or assume it’s short for Zebedee. He’s only really become Zeb since moving to the UK, the shortened version in his home country is Basta.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 02/11/2025 19:55

Ziggy?

HugoYorway · 02/11/2025 19:08

@EleanorReally , I included you because you asked about the history of the name.

idri · 02/11/2025 18:58

Personal opinion is that it’s ridiculous (sorry).

I know of a kid in my local area that has Zebedee as a first name though, so at least it’s not as bad as that.

EleanorReally · 02/11/2025 18:55

HugoYorway · 01/11/2025 10:29

I didn't say you didn't @EleanorReally, but why do you think it's ridiculous?

@LatteLady , he might not get married.

i think you didnt mean me?

Pinkrinse · 02/11/2025 18:44

Istanbol · 01/11/2025 08:34

No. I’m old enough to remember the Magic Roundabout

same here! A No from me.