Xanthe as a baby name - how many do you know?

[VioletElizabethBott]

Having discussed ancient Greek names ad nauseam on various American naming sites/blogs (has everyone discovered Nameberry? Amazing place) I wondered if I could turn to Mumsnetters for an opinion on this name in England?

I really want an ancient Greek name (various reasons but also to go with my elder daughter's (Iris)) and have something of a hitch with my last name which has a vowel beginning (thus not ideal to have a first name ending in a vowel - rules out a LOT of girls' names!).

I always loved Xanthe, husband did not. We settled on Artemis but as due date is 1 month off we've both got slightly cold feet (feel it's a bit pretentious though I'd still use it as I love it) and he's coming round to Xanthe. BUT... but... I'm getting the impression that the name is really gaining popularity. I know it's not going to get to the next Ava, Olivia or Sophia level but what do you think?

I went round an expensive prep school yesterday and saw FIVE Ottilies (and there are two at my elder daughter's nursery) - a name that I know isn't going to be nation-wide popular but I can see similarities with Xanthe in being v. popular within a small part of society which, I have to confess, my daughter will probably move within being privately educated and living where we do.

Has anyone met a young or baby Xanthe? Anyone heard the name discussed a lot by expectant mothers?

Really grateful for your feedback!

[alexpolismum]

I like it said the Greek way. X pronounced Ks rather than Z. It is a nice name, it means "blonde".

I don't think Artemis is at all common in Greece. I have lived here for 15 years and have only ever met one Artemis, and her father was Dutch rather than Greek anyway!

My favourite ancient Greek girl's name is the one I gave my dd: Ariadne

[Exhaustipated]

I know one toddler with this name. Her parents are quite posh I suppose...

It's a lovely name and you may find it becomes quite popular overall, rather than just posh popular. But these things are very hard to predict. Have you looked at that website that shows baby name trends? Can't link on my phone but will try to pop back. :)

[TenthMuse]

Love it - one of my absolute favourites. Don't see it as overly posh - I'm not, particularly, and I'd use it in a heartbeat. I see it as more 'bohemian North London intelligentsia' than 'county set', iyswim. Think the fact it's fairly short and easy to pronounce (once you get past the X thing) means it's slightly more down to earth than for e.g. Artemis or Persephone. Love NN Xan as well.

[Exhaustipated]

Here you go

It has climbed from from 1168th to 567th since 1996

[PandaG]

know one, early 40's. she pronounces it zan-thee (how you would pronounce see with a lisp!), nn zan.

I've know her since I was small, like the name, see it as slightly posh but not very. Much prefer it to Artemis.

[Thewhingingdefective]

I met one once (a baby) on holiday in Morocco, ten years ago. Never met another since.

I think it's a beautiful name.

[lljkk]

None, I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it.

[Birdies]

It's fine for red hair: red = golden. Blonde is the yellow meaning, red is the golden. Also means sea nymph I think, or the name of a Greek goddess.

[Wouldntyouliketoknow]

I know one, in her early 20s, not particularly posh. Pronounced Zan-thee. Her family is Greek

[schmaddington]

I have one, aged 5. I don't know any others but can see it is growing in popularity. I am Greek and we pronounce it Ksanthi, which is how it is pronounced traditionally/properly. No one else does though!

I didn't realise it was perceived as posh; it isn't to Greeks. It's a lovely name though and I say go for it. But I may be biased

[alexpolismum]

schmaddington Do you actually call her Xanthi or Xanthippi?

Just wondering, because it tends to be Xanthippi in Greece, perhaps because of association with the city of Xanthi

[farmersdaughter]

Violet I adore the name Xanthe. Has long been on my list, sadly DH doesn't like it along with Hero.

We only know one Xanthe, she's in her 70's now. She's a very elegant lady, with a huge amount of grace and charm yet very down to earth and great fun.

Artemis is lovely too, as is Athena.

Quite a few people raise eyebrows when I say my DD's name out and about, I don't feel it's different at all, but people do like at me oddly

Can I pm you my name list as I think we have similar taste?

[schmaddington]

Alexpolismum we call her Xanthi. I didn't know about Xanthippi but we are Cypriots so maybe that's why.

farmersdaughter. I am also very keen on Hero for DD2 and always have been. Do you think that Myleene has ruined it made it grow in popularity? ONS shows only a few for 2011 but 2012 stats aren't out yet

[PostmanPatsBlackandWhiteCat]

Xanthe is a nice name but I prefer Artemis. I wouldn't give a flying fuck about if people thought the name was pretentious if you like it use it.
My children have very unusual names two of them from Greek Mythology
DD Athena and DS 1 Ares both names have raised a few eyebrows but we don't care as we think they are lovely names. Ds 2 is an Odin but his name is from Norse mythology.

[farmersdaughter]

Schmaddington Sadly yes, but not sure if i would be 'brave' enough to us it. Also we already have a DD starting with a 'H' so would be a bit much.

[amessagetoyouYoni]

DH wanted Angelique for DD. with a London accent, its Angie-leek. Not quite the pretty French name he had imagined.

[Stokey]

I love it. Slightly regret not using it for dd2 but the fact that it meant "yellow" and we are all very dark slightly put me off. We had other friends whose shortlist it was on and my best friend has just used it for her dd as a middle name. So definitely gaining popularity and I would consider it on the posh/ boho side of the spectrum.
I much prefer it to Artemis. I also considered Phaedra and Io but plumped for a non-Greek more normal name in the end. Tbh I think any of these traditional Greek names will have a hint of posh about them.

[Kaekae]

I don't like the way it looks or sounds. Sounds like someone saying Nancy in a silly way. Sorry don't mean that to sound rude.

[SooticaTheWitchesCat]

I don't know anyone with that name. It is a lovely name

[Floggingmolly]

I don't like it. I wouldn't have assumed it was posh, btw.

[WizardofOs]

None and I come across lots of newborns. I considered this name but because the baby book said it meant blonde/fair and DH and I are are dark we discounted it.

[CityGal29]

I know 3 under 2 in north London. Def on the rise around here

[pinkr]

How about Ianthe? Means violet flower and is my favourite name! Dh doesn't like it so its been banned!

[Rhubarbgarden]

I much prefer Artemis. I don't really like the X in Xanthe. To me it sounds more 'London' than posh; I can imagine hearing it in the playgrounds of Dulwich. It comes up a lot on MN.