Hey, what about Daphne? (Or Persephone probably)

[SilentBoob]

I woke up at 3am, seized my sleeping husband by the shoulders and shrieked "What about Daphne??!!"

It still seems like a reasonable idea in the cold light of morning.

Whaddyathink?

I suppose she would be known as Daf or Daffy which isn't very elegant.

It's either that or Persephone.

I wish I could find a girls name I adore as much as our boys name.

PS - What nicknames are used for Persephone?

Mythwise, not much better to have turned into a tree to avoid rape.

Both theoretically beautiful IMO. Sephy is a lovely nickname (I know one) and Daphne is beautiful when used in full (I know one who endured years of being Daffers and thus has a character of steel).

The first thing that came mind for Daphne was Scooby Doo. I think that is fine as it isn't such a strong cultural reference at the moment that it impacts the name (like calling her Peppa might as an example). The only other Daphne that came to mind was in Neighbours. Obviously that's just me.

Doesnt help with the nickname but what about Stefanie / Stephanie?

Am not a fan of Daphne personally. Persephone sounds lovely but the mythology and potential pronunciation issues would put me off tbh.

Seraphina is pretty.

I love both. But lots of people would pronounce Persephone incorrectly.

"Would you like to introduce yourself as that at your first day at work, or in the pub, or on a date?"

Um, yes.

I think Persephone is a great name.

I like Daphne too.

What about Ariadne if you want a Greek name?

I think Persephone might be too big a name for a small child. Penelope and Daphne seem like much more usable choices - or even Phoebe or Seraphina (which has a similar sound and more intuitive spelling). You might like the more commonplace Stephanie too. Other interesting names starting with P? Paloma, Pearl, Persis, Petal, Philippa, Pilar, Piper, Plum, Polly, Portia.

Other mythological names you might want to consider - that are a bit easier to spell or pronounce - are Artemis, Athena, Aurora, Clio, Gaia, Iris, Juno, Luna, Maia and Selene (sə-LEE-nee).

Selene - something like seh-LEE-nee! The symbol didn't show up probably. The GUY-ah pronunciation of Gaia is probably preferable to GAY-ah for the classroom.

I know a 3 yo Daphne. I love it. And I love the abbreviation Daffers.

Plum? Seriously?

I love Daphne. If we ever have a DD, that's what she'll be.

Daphne is incredibly ugly. Persephone has a nice sound,but the pronunciation issues would put me off.

Both names are on our short-list, especially as Daphne was my grandmother's name. I think they're great. We're looking at Persephone as a first name (with Persie as a nickname) and Daphne will definitely be a middle name - if we have a girl. My grandmother's friends called her by her full name or Daf.

It's such a shame when people criticise an unusual name because it's unusual and suggest more common names instead. I have an unusual name and love the fact that I only have to use my first name when I'm on the phone, or introducing myself to people, and they always remember who I am.

There are so many different names out there that even if people don't get the classical reference and mis-pronounce it once, you/your daughter can correct them and they'll get it right after a few tries.

I think the myth around Persephone also has some strong positives - the strength of a mother's love, the lusciousness of the pomegranate, etc. I've loved the romantic sweep of it since I was a child and always wanted to call my little girl this name. My husband thinks it's romantic, feminine and rolls off the tongue beautifully.

Go for it OP.

Persephone Daphne? Poor kid.

Persis Daphne would be a lot more user-friendly.

Oh my! I really don't like either of them! Sorry. Both quite ugly names.

I love love love Daphne and it's a strong contender for when I have a daughter. I don't see why the myth is a problem for Persephone (I've always loved the story myself) but its such a mouthful I think.

I have a Persephone.. she's 3 months old. We called her Sephy from when she was a bump. It was Sephy we fell in love with... I think it's lovely. I have to be honest and say I'm not 100% with 'Persephone' but we LOVED Sephy. She's a wonderful baby girl :)

Having Perser-phone called out in a busy chemist was quite embarrassing. Everyone seemed to turn thinking 'What?'.

I am so glad to see so many people in favour of Daphne. I have been predicting a renaissance of the name for several years now (ever since we called our dog Daphne, and I realised that I would have used it for a baby, if I had another).

Have to admit that I would have pronounced it Percy-Phone and don't have a clue to the correct pronunciation.

Percyfilth there'll be another name in the middle as we're aware that together they are a bit if a mouthful. It's not like everyone says their whole name the whole time, do they? I'm not sure how your comment helps the OP.

Persis is a lovely name too though.

there'll be another name in the middle as we're aware that together they are a bit of a mouthful

:o:o:o That's given me a good laugh, anyway. Good night.

I have a very lovely 9 month-old human (Mme Lindor) Daphne, and we all love the name. Not to keen on Daffers, which dh very occasionally calls her! NNs I use are Fifi, NeeNee ( also a nod to my late grandma Enid who was always known as Nina)and Daffodil

too keen (damn the perfectionist in me)

I'm not keen on Daphne - I don't like the Daff part. And you cannot call a girl Daffy or Daffers!

I do love Persephone - very elegant and classy. I know one and don't think people pronounce it wrongly, although she is mostly know as Sephie. Lots of names have various (wrong) pronunciations but people learn pretty quickly, don't they?

Persephone sounds a bit pretentious to me - but I suppose it depends on your background. Daphne sounds OK; I still hear it as an old ladies name but, as it is about the same vintage Ruby, it may be due for a comeback. Persephone Daphne though is an absolute no no. Even with another name between. Persephone Louise Daphne? Persephone Rose Daphne? What possible middle name could make it sound right?

I have a Persephone. She's Seph, Sephie or Sephers for short.

It is a ridiculously pretentious and OTT name, but then she's a ridiculously beautiful and individual child, so; she suits it perfectly.