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Help- unsure if 2 "f" sounds go together or just sound horrendous..

17 replies

Clarabumps · 13/05/2012 17:53

Phoebe Findlay...
Findlay is the surname..I can't make up my mind if I really like it or really hate it. DP thinks its fine but I don't know if there's too many F's.

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birdofthenorth · 13/05/2012 17:54

Yes too many Fs I think, sorry. Phoebe is a lovely name though.

Herrena · 13/05/2012 17:57

It sounds a bit like a name an actor would make up... it's memorable and distinctive, but your DD may not like that as she's growing up!

How about Phoebe as a middle name instead?

Lastofthepodpeople · 13/05/2012 18:00

I think its fine. DS would have been two Fs if he'd been a girl.

Needingsomeadvice · 13/05/2012 18:03

Without outing myself too much, my DD has a name with a similar issue. I thought it might be too many 'F's but actually when I thought about it loads of famous people actually have first and second name with the same initial sound...so we went ahead and did it. It's a lovely name IMO...so if you like it go with it Smile

RancerDoo · 13/05/2012 18:10

Yep, we've got one too. It works just fine and no one has ever pulled cats bum face when they have heard her name. Just don't give her Ffion as a middle name...

MoonHare · 13/05/2012 18:24

Generally I like aliteration in names e.g. Harry Hodges but not sure about Phoebe Findlay - do you pronounce your surname Fin-lee or Find-Lay? If the former I think it's the two ee sounds in addition to the two f sounds that bothers me.

F names without the ee sound too e.g. Fiona Findlay, Frances Findlay sound good.

WithACherryOnTop · 13/05/2012 18:25

It doesn't work. I'd avoid it,though Phoebe is very nice.

PacketOfBiscuits · 13/05/2012 18:39

Doesn't sound right, sorry.

Littleviolet · 13/05/2012 18:58

It isn't disastrous but there are SO many beautiful names that would go better with your surname. I had to sacrifice my favourite girl's name for both dd's in favour of something that would sound better with our surname. I have no regrets; a "not quite right combo" would have bugged me. Good luck with your decision.

Stellan · 13/05/2012 19:29

Phoebe is a great name but I don't think it works with your surname. I don't think it's necessarily down to it beginning with an F sound; it's the cadence of it. Fiona Findlay, for example, sounds a lot better to my ears, as do Florence Findlay and Francesca Findlay. Phoebe Findlay is just a bit much for my own tastes.

If you like Phoebe, you might love Hebe, Selene or Athene as an alternative.

badtime · 14/05/2012 12:36

It didn't seem to do Fenella Fielding or Fiona Fullerton too much harm.
However, because the first and last names have the same rhythm and same sound at the end, I don't think the name 'Phoebe' sounds that good - I would think the same about, say, Jenny.

PineappleBed · 14/05/2012 12:40

Hmmmm I think it's the f-e f-e sounds which make it not work for me as they make it a bt of a Tongue twister in the way, say, faye Findlay wouldn't.

Clarabumps · 15/05/2012 13:36

Yeah I thought so too I think it sounds a bit off..Findlay is pronounced fin-lay but even still its too on the fence when there are so many lovely names that would go better with Findlay.. Argh! This is so hard! My other lovely name was Flora..but again thats and F..and now I'm questioning every f...

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ChippyMinton · 15/05/2012 13:40

I agree about the sounds. I also think it looks awkward with the Ph and the F. And a lots of potential for wrong spelling.
I like Flora though.

MoonHare · 15/05/2012 17:18

Flora Findlay is fine it flows better than Phoebe Finlay, I really think the problem with Phoebe is the 'ee' sound in addition to the 'f' sound, almost any other F name would be fine.

PandaNot · 15/05/2012 17:56

We also have a F surname and I wanted to use Phoebe but DH wouldn't let me :-( I think it sounds lovely.

Littleviolet · 15/05/2012 17:58

Flora is pretty. How about Florence, Laura or Lara?

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