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!

[Yika]

I know one and she's about 9. Arty bohemian family. I've heard of others and would say it is gaining in popularity.

[cheekbyjowl]

How about

Iolanthe
Iola
Lyra - Pretty. think the jazz singer Jamie Cullum called his daughter this, though doesn't have the weightiness of other names
Thailia - pretty i think and one of the three Graces
Thais - (isn't it meditation on the theme of...)
Thisbe (though unlucky in love)
Agathe - actually maybe not- could be shortened to Aga. Popular in posh kitchens but wouldn't call a child induction hob either
Ariadne?
Echo - weirdly pretty.
ooo hera. If hero was too out there - hera
I know a posh couple who've just had an Ophelia. Bit tragic, i don't like it but it's not for me to like

I quite like, Thaila, Hera and oddly echo out of my own selection

[dimdommilpot]

I know 1, she is 13 (i think). I like tge name.

[MrsJohnDeere]

Don't know any but have heard children being called it in nearby town. Not posh IMHO.

[MsJupiterJones]

There was one at my school, she'd be late 30s now. Fits the posh-bohemian profile. Dark haired iirc. But then (without wishing to generalise) aren't most Greek people dark? I'm sure it is used there for non-blondes.

I think it's a lovely name, go for it. Love Iris too.

[lucybrad]

My daughter - 2 years old. I don't personally know any others though I have been told by HV that there is another one in her area.
I love it - always have done - and people always comment on what a beautiful name it is. You should go for it.

[Newrowsees]

I know a Xanti (short for Xantippe), who's a toddler, with very posh parents. And a Xanthia who's 24, with not so posh parents, but very lovely.

[VioletElizabethBott]

I just checked back here and had no idea so many more people had responded! Thank you so much.
We went for another name but one week to go before due date and my husband got cold feet so.... back to Xanthe! Hooray! I loved it from the off but it's taken a long time to get husband back on track.

n.b. Have since met one other Xanthe - 3 years old and blonde. Thank you Exhaustipated for the name popularity graph. Really helpful. Are you looking for baby names at the moment? Nameberry have a brilliant site. Will send you my list if you still looking. And I'm finished! (I hope so anyway... he'll be in big trouble if he throws a spanner in the works before Monday!)

[SixPackWellies]

I love Artemis, and it was a name I put a bid in for with DC2. I also love Isis. Artemis of course is also Diana (Roman Huntress). I am not sure Diana will come back in fashion terribly soon though.

[JRY44]

I know three. One is 40 and the other two are 5 and 3. None are in the slightest bit posh, if I was being a snob I would say quite the opposite ....

[TheYamiOfYawn]

I only know grown up Xanthes.

[GraduallyGoingInsane]

I know an Xanthe in her early 30s, she's neithe über-posh nor chavvy. She's not Greek either. She's a very elegant blonde with a lovely personality.

I also know an Ianthe who is mid 20s at a guess. She's also lovely - a dark, willowy girl who's a high flyer in the city. She's definitely what you would describe as posh but is lovely and not at all snobby.

I love both names, I'd have considered Ianthe in particular for one of mine but it wouldn't fit with the other names I chose.

[Oldandcobwebby]

My baby daughter has Xanthe as a middle name. It is a well known fact that she is the most exquisite creature on Earth. You could bask in her glory!

[MrsHuxtable]

So all these people who have a Xanthe or know one, do you pronounce the name in the original Greek form or do you anglicize it and make the X into a Z sound and the th a zee?

People I know just called heir DD Xanthe and I have no idea how they say her name...

[miffybun73]

Love it, but don't know any of any age.

[ArtemisKelda]

Xanthe is a gorgeous name. One of DS's classmates is Xanthe (7) and that's the name he wanted for baby DD.

I love the name Artemis too (hence my nn) but I probably wouldn't use it for a baby.

[ChallengeAnt]

I only know one Xanthe and she goes to a baby group I go to. Her mum pronounced it Zanthee (like think not the for the "th". I like it!

[Ruthski21]

I have just seen this thread and wondering what did you name your child? My 5 year old is Xanthe and i love the name. I have met one of Xanthe with a twin brother Freddie no others.

[nellyflora]

I know 2 under 3. Last one ( through work) the extreme opisite of posh her sister was nevaeh!!!!!

[Xantheticus]

I always loved the name Xanthe until I read on a MN thread that it's often misheard as Sandy which is a terrible dull name.

[jimpam]

It is a beautiful name & I've never met anyone with it, but I can see gazzalw's point that it does sound quite posh. Greek names are lovely, I like Agatha for a girl. You are right about nameberry, it is amazing!

[Biscuitsneeded]

I know one Xanthe who is 8. It really suits her. How about Helen? Beautiful name, needs reviving. I personally don't know any under 40 apart from one where it's a translation from Vietnamese.

[alltouchedout]

I don't know anyone called that. I like it. I have a feeling I've seen it in an awful Tom Clancy novel but other than that it has no associations whatsoever for me.

[marshmallowpies]

I've never met a Xanthe and I think it's lovely.

Athene would be on my list of fantasy DD DH-would-never-go-for-it names. Clio is lovely too.

Both my DDs have Latin origin names, more by accident than design, but I do love classical names.

[Only1scoop]

There is one in dd school she is 6.