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Baby names

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

Original poster

Phoebe

136 replies

LolaBumble · 27/01/2026 09:08

Help I’m 39 weeks pregnant

Just now considering Phoebe… I love the nicknames Pheebs and Bea.

Would Alys work as a middle name?

My husband is not sure because he thinks of Phoebe Buffay - but I think that’s just because he doesn’t know any other Phoebes! I have a friend called Pheobe and think of her when I hear the name instead.

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TappyGilmore · 27/01/2026 09:58

I used to like Phoebe but it’s overused. I always think of someone I knew my own age (mid 40s now) named Phoebe, and how it would have been a reasonably unusual name at the time she was born, but then after Friends it just took off and they were everywhere.

I think Alys is pretty. Are you Welsh? Why not use a Welsh first name?

Cookiesandbeans · 27/01/2026 09:58

I love Phoebe . Surprised by the negative comments so far- Phoebe is usually a name that gets positive response on Mumsnet ( you can search for old name threads ).

LifeIsA · 27/01/2026 09:48

I've always hated Phoebe. Alice/Alys is lovely though.

Laplandsnow · 27/01/2026 09:46

I don’t understand the love for this name. It’s awful

Tonissister · 27/01/2026 09:30

I am not keen on the name, but not sure why. It's a good classical name. I just think the ee-ee repetition sounds a bit whiney. And Phoeb sounds like feeble as pp said.

I like Alys/Alice a lot. Either spelling.

Calliopespa · 27/01/2026 09:29

LolaBumble · 27/01/2026 09:27

Yes it’s the Welsh spelling of Alice 😊

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Oh well if that's the case I dislike it less. I hadn't known that ( I know a Welsh Ellis).

I thought you were just being creative! I do love the name Alice.

GoldDuster · 27/01/2026 09:29

Could you go for Alice?

Phoebe also has me going down the weak and feeble path. Then I go Pheobe Buffay bonkers purple fluffy cardies and cats. I'd go for something stronger.

Original poster
LolaBumble · 27/01/2026 09:27

Onefortheroad25 · 27/01/2026 09:10

I love it! Not sure about the middle name. Is it Alice?

Yes it’s the Welsh spelling of Alice 😊

OP posts:
caramac04 · 27/01/2026 09:22

I love Phoebe, not sure about middle name Alys. I’d prefer Iris but only my opinion.

Calliopespa · 27/01/2026 09:21

Phoebe is a perfectly good name, however I really don't like it personally.

Feebs makes me think "feeble," Phoebe sounds a bit like "Feebly" and the spelling of Phoebe is always reminiscent of amoeba for me.

But those may be personal to me; it's hard for me to tell how much they occur to other people as well.

There is nothing wrong with it per se, and, if using it, I think Phoebe Alice sounds lovely - I really dislike the spelling Alys.

Onefortheroad25 · 27/01/2026 09:10

I love it! Not sure about the middle name. Is it Alice?