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Baby names

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

Original poster

Callia Ianthe or Seren Mere

36 replies

Verity79 · 22/06/2009 14:14

Had a thread a little while ago about DC3's name, had the 21 week scan, it's girl no.3.

I was wobbling about Callia Ianthe as being the new DD's name and got lot's of great ideas/feedback. DH and I then made mind up to call DD3 Callia Ianthe......

Then when on holiday we drove past Mere and I remarked I loved that name in 'Marrow' by Robert Reed (one of my favourite books/characters) DH said he really loved it too. It's a legitimate name in Maori meaning 'bitter' but was used in the context of the book as a direct from English name (i.e. the character is incredibly slight/small).

I was then reading a thread about Welsh names and somebody mentioned Seren (Welsh for 'Star') so now the there is a face (name??) off between Callia Ianthe and Seren Mere.

Any comments (apart from to tell me to quit being so precious )?

Oh DD1 is Lilith Louise and DD2 is Alethea Ivy (AKA Thea).

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JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 22/06/2009 14:55

I think it's nice when you have one unusual name followed or preceded by a more usual one to avoid sounding a bit pretentious. Like Seren May, or Mere Grace. I do like Seren, not sure about Callia Ianthe, how is Ianthe pronounced?

cyteen · 22/06/2009 14:52

I wouldn't put them in those combinations - Callia Ianthe has a big mash-up of 'a's and 'i's in the middle and Seren Mere does indeed sound like somewhere in the Lake District. How about Callia Seren, Seren Ianthe or Mere Callia?

'mere' also has a strong flavour of dismissiveness to me, e.g. "you are merely a woman and therefore of no consequence", so might be worth rethinking on that score.

PuppyMonkey · 22/06/2009 14:42

They both sound like holiday resorts actually. They are very poncey if you don't mind me saying. Do you mind that?

Jumente · 22/06/2009 14:40

George Macdonald - seriously good author but scary woman!

'Lilith
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about the demoness Lilith. For other uses, see Lilith (disambiguation).

Lilith (1892), by John Collier.Lilith (Hebrew לילית) is a mythological female Mesopotamian storm demon associated with wind and was thought to be a bearer of disease, illness, and death. '

No don't be boring, I am only teasing you. I have some odd ones for my own kids - much more fun that way!

Original poster
Verity79 · 22/06/2009 14:39

Jumente - which book? We named her for the mythical first wife of Adam, what with her being the first feminist and all .

I'm begining to wonder if I need help and should just call this baby Sarah Jane and be done with it

OP posts:
Fimbo · 22/06/2009 14:23

Seren Mere sounds like the name of a racehorse or greyhound.

bigstripeytiger · 22/06/2009 14:22

I prefer Callia Ianthe.
I agree with Seren Mere sounding like a place.

Jumente · 22/06/2009 14:19

How about Eden Lake?

Jumente · 22/06/2009 14:19

Well if you can call a child lIlith you are way out of my depth already

I think they're all nice names, really - had Lilith down for mine but then read the book!

ShowOfHands · 22/06/2009 14:18

Callia Ianthe. Gorgeous.

Seren Mere nice but sounds like a place/holiday resort.

meemarsgotabrandnewbump · 22/06/2009 14:17

Seren Mere

Sounds prettier to say, and easier for spelling/pronunciation.