Araminta and Antonia

[Cortina]

Is Araminta upper class and Antonia an upper middle class name?

I quite like Antonia but it conjures up an overweight, dandruffy, late middle aged slightly ruddy faced Sloane to me. Someone who helps out in a stately home is is very knowledgeable in the decorative arts. Probably a bit horse faced and sour breathed with the beginnings of whisker on her chin. So not a overly positive image then :)

And Araminta I love, but how could I use it? How can anyone use it without looking like a berk unless they own half of Gloucestershire?

[KAEKAE]

I once took on a young girl doing work experience and her name was Araminta, first time I'd ever met anyone called this. She liked being called Minty. I never did like the name or nn. I think its harsh sounding, not pretty and I like pretty names!

[stressheaderic]

Antonia inevitably gets Toni, which I hate.

[SoLongAsItsHealthy]

It's one of those names that will make everyone think "Aha, they want her to grow up to be posher than them" !!!

[Rockbird]

Araminta is revolting , horrid horrid name, nearly as horrid as Meredith.

Antonia is gorgeous, love it.

[zenon]

Antonia is a gorgeous, beautiful, cultured European name.

Easy to spell in any language so travels well.

You probably won't find 3 others in the same class.

What's not to like about Antonia ?

[fridayschild]

Tamara Mellon (think Jimmy Choo) has called her daughter Araminta.

You can decide for yourself if this is a plus or a minus!

[Cortina]

I have a, probably irrational, dislike of 'Toni' but thanks.

[Ephiny]

I like Antonia, you could use Toni for short. Didn't know Araminta was a real name tbh (sounds like a made up parody of the sort of names posh people give their children).

[mathanxiety]

I had never heard the name Araminta until reading about Harriet Tubman (born Araminta), and I would always consider it one of those quirky 18th century names, sort of like Almanzo Wilder (although he was from a different century) or Inigo Jones. I think it's the Ara- part that makes it sound upstream troutish, like Arabella. And the many syllables in both cases. I think it's more exotic.

Antonia is a warmer name somehow, more approachable. Makes me think of Antonia Fraser.

[MarthaQuest]

I love both these names.

Antonia white is one of my favourite authors, although actually have been a pen name now I come to think of it.

Araminta with shortening 'Minty' -I agree with previous poster that more usage is needed to get rid of posho image.

[KittyTwoShoes]

I went to school with an Antonia and an Araminta (not sisters). We called Araminta "Minty" - I also recall someone I've always known just as Minty, so I assume she's short for Araminta as well? Unless her parents just really liked polos or something... If you like those two, how about Anastasia?

I love both Antonia and Araminta, anyway, I think they're beautiful names :)

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

Both sound quite posh, but I know an Antonia and she is beautiful

Araminta is not a very attractive-sounding name

what about Lucia ?

There are lots of lovely names ending in "a" - do you particularly want a name beginning in A ?

[Cortina]

'The only way of eradicating this is for more people to use' good point, think this will happen with Ophelia.

Which other names would be in that category out of interest.

Really don't think I am brave enough I fear and I don't love it enough, if I did I probably would.

[Cortina]

LLF was Cedric, quite like that one :).

[ValiumSingleton]

Yes Zara Philips on tv talkign about her Mother's 60th last week and she does sound very normal. her brother is carrying the posh flag, he sounds quite cut glass (or maybe that was just in comparison to Zara).

[ValiumSingleton]

ps. ha ha at Liz H dressing her son up as Little Lord Fauntleroy. that was definitely her inspiration. I saw that film too.

[ValiumSingleton]

I know, must be a cultural thing! I have a more highly calibrated ponce intolerance bleeper, partly due to being Irish I think.

I've been accused of being a snob on MN so I'm FAR from blameless apparently, but as an Irish person it does make me chuckle (fondly). Honestly.

[Cortina]

Valium, spot on. Do you know the Trustafaria and Isabora sketch? :) I am not a fan of Isadora and Pandora for all the reasons you describe :)

[ValiumSingleton]

Oh they ARE minging. Sorry! I love underused names and there are so many beautiful names which people hardly use. But Arra Minta. come on!? HOW is that nice? What do you shorten it too? Arra, Arrie? Mintie?
And worse, it's like a parody of the upper middle-classes. The name Harry Enfield might give to one of his characters in a sketch.

Antonia is to be fair, not so bad. Not to my taste. Minging would be harsh wrt Antonia. Annia for short might work too. It is quite versatile actually.