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Original poster

Ophelia - getting more popular?

30 replies

Cortina · 12/08/2010 11:15

I know it's been mentioned on another thread recently but wondering if it is on the rise? Many I think said, it's pretty, but doesn't work with the surname 'Balls' :).

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Flisspaps · 12/08/2010 11:23

I think it's gorgeous. One of my fellow March mums has a DD called Ophelia.

You're right though, probably best not to use it for a girl with the surname Balls Wink

MrsvWoolf · 12/08/2010 11:35

This reply has been deleted

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willsywoo · 14/08/2010 23:42

Years ago my friends partner used to joke that if they had a girl it would be named Ophelia Fanny...thank goodness they had two boys...Tom and Matthew...boring but nice names

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 15/08/2010 23:05

it's a lovely name but I just can't get over the literary connotations...lots of people seem to post it though

OnEdge · 15/08/2010 23:14

There is a burlesque star called OPHELIA BITZ

CupcakesHay · 16/08/2010 08:37

it's on my shortlist, and I'm due Jan 2011. But i agree sounds a bit strange with Balls - but not awful.

ValiumSingleton · 16/08/2010 08:41

I know of one, she'd be about 4 now I think. AWFUL imo but....... some people only think 'oh it sounds nice'.

seeker · 16/08/2010 08:42

It's a lovely sound, but the only Ophelia anyone has ever heard of is the one in Hamlet, who was very very wet and very very bonkers. Not a good association.

Original poster
Cortina · 16/08/2010 08:51

I suspect only a minority out there will have any idea about Ophelia's fate in Hamlet - isn't 'happiness a cigar called Hamlet' anyway?? :)

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Original poster
Cortina · 16/08/2010 08:52

I am not referring to the erudite, literary mumsnetters btw.

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Original poster
Cortina · 16/08/2010 08:53

mean all mumsnetters, just read that back and it sounded like I didn't..:) We are all erudite here :).

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seeker · 16/08/2010 08:56

Is there not a possibility that the new baby Ophelia may just grow up to have more general knowledge than her parents? I do think it's just that - you don't have to be literary or erudite to have heard of Ophelia, or to be aware that Hamlet is not originally a cigar.

Original poster
Cortina · 16/08/2010 09:43

I was just trying, and failing I think, to be fairly amusing :) Not insulting. Blame the pregnancy hormones. I agree with you of course

'Tis true that most wouldn't know the fate of Ophelia more generally & specifically though (including me without a google).

I do think that many tear their hair out over possible negative associations, including me, when they are unlikely to blight the life of the child going forward. Thinking of middle names really here, etc.

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ValiumSingleton · 16/08/2010 09:48

The woman I know who called her dd Ophelia, I would be very surprised if she hadn't read Hamlet. Perhaps the patheticness of Ophelia just didn't bother her Confused

LibertyGibbet · 16/08/2010 10:10

I've met a couple of baby Regans recently and my first thought was 'oh lordy, please don't let her befriend a Goneril at any point'. And anyway, Cordelia is much prettier.

Ophelia is more popular than it was. I think there's been a rise in the use of feminine, longer, previously considered a bit on the wrong side of poncy names. Evangeline, Ophelia, Genevieve etc.

Original poster
Cortina · 16/08/2010 10:13

Goneril's never caught on, not sure why :). Agree with you re: trend.

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DilysPrice · 16/08/2010 10:17

Pathetic I could deal with, but Ophelia's boyfriend kills her father and abandons her, leading to her insanity and suicide - I think that goes some way beyond "a bit wet" (very wet indeed at the end of course). And that goes for Cordelia too. And Juliet.

ValiumSingleton · 16/08/2010 10:28

Juliet is not so totally associated only to R&J though, so I wouldn't put that in the same league. I can think of Juliet without thinking of romeo and Juliet. Juliet Bravo, Juliet Binoche, I know a couple, ages varied....

DilysPrice · 16/08/2010 20:05

I do realise that I'm out on a limb with Juliet.

(But anyone who decides that it would be unusual or classy to go for Cassandra, Iphigenia, Electra, Clytemnestra or Euridice should be investigated by Social Services.)

zapostrophe · 16/08/2010 21:16

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moragbellingham · 16/08/2010 21:30

We decided on Ophelia for our DD and changed our (my) mind.
I thought she would get endlessly teased at school (which I did) and couldn't subject her to that.

Mainly though, was the tragedy associated with the name and picture by Millais.
Pregnancy hormones were in overdrive and school swimming trips were mentionedConfused

Love the name still, but couldn't bring myself to stick with it.

Rockbird · 17/08/2010 00:05

What's wrong with Cassandra? Its on my shortlist for dc2

Original poster
Cortina · 17/08/2010 08:45

Morag to you think that once a few plump for the name it looses its 'strangeness' and teasing potential a bit?

Just wondering, I know with my son a few openly laughed at my name choice in 2004 and now it's beginning to be more widely used.

I predict once there are a few Ophelias of nursery or reception age there people will suddenly feel more confident about using it especially if they love it otherwise.

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Apphia · 17/08/2010 08:55

I'm 99% sure our daughter will be called Ophelia... Not least as it's the only name DH and I agree on.

The literary connotations don't especially bother me, besides I'm not sure how I would react if DH killed my father!

boodleboot · 17/08/2010 09:37

i wouldnt have ophelia as bit too tragic without any redeeming qualities but ofelia from pans labyrinth is a worthy namesake.....fantastic character!

i just worry it would be shortened to oaf!