Halcyon and Octavia for my twin girls

There is a difference between honesty and just plain rudeness, though.

Sedgie - if someone asks what people think of their chosen names, then it's only fair to expect honest answers! If anyone was to ask for opinions on Jane, Susan etc then you'd get an equal number of posts saying "boring".

That's what happens when you ask a bunch of strangers on the internet what they honestly think of your name suggestions: they tell you honestly what they think of your name suggestions.

They are fine by me, but you will need a lot of brass to go around introducing them to people as such.

I prefer names with obvious nicknames, what nicknames could you tolerate? Hal and Octy are obvious, but do you like?

Oh my goodness, I can't believe how rude some of these responses are. I starting to think the mumsnet name board should come with a warning to the effect that if you are not asking for opinions on plain names e.g. Jane, Susan, Amanda then expect to be annihilated (probably by plain-named members called Sue and Mandy I shouldn't wonder)

These names are to me quite unusual but in no way deserving of this kind of negativity, if you and your DH are able to agree on them and you raise your children with the confidence to carry them off and any ignorant comments that may come their way then go ahead! Its tough enough agreeing on one name (I'm finding this in any case) I can't imagine trying to find two!

Of course she is joking.

Both terrible. Don't do it..... I presume this is a joke thread....

Or you could have Octavia and Halcyon as middle names.

I was at school with an Octavia - she was only ever called Oci.

Halcyon is awful...

Sorry I'm really not keen on either of them. Sounds like you're trying too hard. If you do choose Octavia and Halcyon, I would go for very straightforward universally likeable middle names so your daughters can choose to go by those when they're older.

There was a young woman called Joan on that documentary about Gypsy weddings. She was really beautiful and I thought the name was lovely on her - it's such an old woman's name but on a beautiful woman I thought it sounded really unusual - in a good way!

Halcyona is a name too, apparently.

Halcyon is terrible imho - sorry. Octavia is okay, though not a particularly pretty sounding name. Both of them combined with Joan sound plain daft - but obviously, choose what you want.

Crikey.

If I were about to give those names to twin girls, I would have to be very prepared to accept that people could consider me a bit of a ponce.

If you have thick skin, or don't mind being considered pretentious, that's fine - go for it.

While halcyon is a lovely word in its 'halcyon days' meaning, it also sounds like a mind altering drug or a dodgy nightclub. Beware.

Octavia always reminds me of an octopus at a piano . Not v glamourous!

I think they are both great names. Stuff what anyone else thinks: they're your children!

Octavia Somethingelse Joan would be lovely.

Halcyon Aurelia Something Joan-like ditto.

I gave my DD an unusual first name, with two less unusual 'family' names as middle names. They all end in 'a', so they all went well together.

Octavia is OK

Halcyon is not

Call them whatever you want to! It's nothing to do with anyone else! I have a friend whose girls are called Phoebe, Lorelei and Persephone and whilst they do get the 'how unusual' reaction, they are perfectly happy!! All names are ripe for nicknames and rude abbreviations - My sons are called Loo-loo, Dyl and Wills - I'll leave you to work out what their full names are!!

Not my taste I am afraid. Octavia is ok even though it is a skoda but Halcyon is a very odd choice. Perhaps find out how the people you mix with and respect would regard these names. I like Joan better than either of them to be honest - sorry!

What about Eleanor and Cordelia - bit softer and nicer nicknames (Nell/ Elly/ Cordy/Delia)

Congratulations btw - I am very

Halcyon - sounds like a gas or a type of lightbulb or a trashy nightclub. Please rethink that.

Octavia will get shortened, all Octavia's do. But I think it's a trying too hard type name.

Halcyon means Kingfisher, doesn't it?

And Octavia is to do with Eight. So unless you have six other kids or they are in line to the throne etc, I'd veto that too.

Just too poncey. Sorry, you did ask.

I prefer Halcyon to Octavia TBH as Octavia doesn't shorten as easily and sounds a little harsh (OCHK -TAV -IA) but ultimately it is your choice frankly we're not ones to talk as our kids are very uniquely named.

If you think they suit them when they are born then go for it! Or pick middle names that'll do as a back up, lol.

We always got middle names from family names TBH.

Halcyon? Really? Sorry, it's shit. Halcyon and Octavia... Halcyon Joan??? Octavia Joan??????????

Your choices are not good. Octavia is ok, not paired with Joan. Halcyon is bloody awful.

Oh - is Halcyon for a boy or girl? If a boy I suppose you could get away with hal...not my favourite but ok. For a girl - forget it!