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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

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

130 replies

VioletElizabethBott · 25/04/2013 11:27

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!

OP posts:

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Only1scoop · 03/03/2016 21:41

She pronounces it I an thee

bibbitybobbityyhat · 03/03/2016 21:45

I know of one child, aged 10 ish.

There was a Xanthe at University with me in the early 80s. She would be about 53 now.

Those are the only ones I can think. So, not a common name at all!

Pigeonpost · 03/03/2016 21:46

I know one who is 5. It is a beautiful name. I know two Ottilie's.

williaminajetfighter · 03/03/2016 22:01

I like it and there's one or two at dds school - a private school in oxford. It does seem to be popular amongst a particular set but not quite like ottilie!

If you like Greek names how about Medea? Pronounced Me-day-uh. I love even though original myth ain't so nice!!!

Pigeonpost · 04/03/2016 08:32

Ffs, this thread is almost 3 years old!!! Must check original post dates before posting on active threads....

VioletElizabethBott · 04/12/2016 22:19

Ruthski21 I did call her Xanthe! She is 3 now and I love the name still. Xx

OP posts:

RedCrab · 07/12/2016 11:20

Very late to this but I'm pregnant again with DC3 - a girl. We have a two year old Hero. Love the associations with Classical Greek names. How do you pronounce Xanthe? How have you found the reception to it? Hero gets either polite "that's...nice" (totally fair enough) or really genuine LOVE IT!

Also looking at Ione - ai-ow-nee.

AnnetteKertan · 07/12/2016 14:03

I have an 18 month old Xanthe (Zanthee).

I'm not exaggerating but I have to say her name at least 3 times when introducing her to new people and about 30% of people still won't quite get it. She's been called Zanthay, Zante, Zanthia, Nancy, Darcy, Sandy, Zanchee - honestly I could go forever!! However, perhaps I just mumble!

I tend to get 'that's unusual?' (head tilt) a lot.

I love Hero and oddly if I was to have another girl Iona is very high on my list

MrsMarigold · 07/12/2016 14:23

I know three, one is a teenager, the other one is five and the last one 15 months. It's fine, all three are very different.

I also know an Artemis, very pretentious name IMHO.

cmxx · 07/12/2016 18:37

I wish I had the guts to use Xanthe.
Its gorgeous. I came across someone with a Xanthe once and loved it.

There is a character in Neighbours called Xanthe :)

Rinmybell · 11/12/2016 19:58

I know 2. One is 6 and the other is a year.

VioletElizabethBott · 22/02/2017 12:53

Hi... no real problems with Xanthe as a name though we will always have to spell it. People rarely comment or say "that's a nice name" (!) but I love it. And it suits her. She's quite forceful and will be able to carry it off I think.

I love that she'll have an X as an initial. TBH I suspect that might have been a deciding factor!

I've heard of two other baby Xanthes but it's not become popular. I know more Ottilies to be honest!

And yes. THANK GOD we didn't go for Artemis. What was I thinking?

OP posts:

VioletElizabethBott · 22/02/2017 12:54

Ps I love the name Hero for a girl. Love it.

OP posts:

DataColour · 22/02/2017 12:56

Similar name to Xanthe...my DD is Ianthe (means purple flower in Greek) and have had positive comments for it.

Positivitee · 22/02/2017 13:02

It's definitely not posh around here, but it's a nice name.

Positivitee · 22/02/2017 13:04

Oops zombie thread...OP I'm glad you called her Xanthe

EatsShitAndLeaves · 22/02/2017 13:13

I knew one growing up - and also an Athena.

I like both names - but anything a lot depends on how it chimes with your surname.

BeBeatrix · 22/02/2017 13:19

Lovely name. I only know one Xanthe. She pronounces is ZAN-thee, is lower-middle-class, and not blonde.

The suggestions of Persephone, Penelope and Helena are lovely, but also end with vowel sounds, but I really dislike the name Hero for a girl.

Charis, Damaris and Delphine are Greek and ending in consonants.

TheEdgeofSeventeen · 22/02/2017 13:20

Makes me think of xanax TBH

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 22/02/2017 17:53

ZOMBIE THREAD.

goldenrachita · 23/02/2017 10:41

I don't think Xanthe is anything like Ottilie, so I wouldn't worry.

Xanthe is a name that has been around for many years, most people have known about it and chosen NOT to use it, and it's a bit of a love or hate name. (I love it.) I honestly can't see it becoming overused. The X scares too many people off. And it's not a cutesy name so it doesn't fit current fashion. It's a really good choice.

Ottilie, on the other hand, taps into every trend there is right now. It starts with an O, it has that cutesy 'ie' ending that everyone loves for girls. And it's a sudden new trend- most people have never met an adult one....until they realise everyone else who wanted an 'original' name chose it too (your prep school example).

goldenrachita · 23/02/2017 10:42

Oh no- victim of a zombie thread!!

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JujuMonster · 23/02/2017 20:23

OP I'm so glad you came back to update us all on this zombie thread that DD is now a 3yo Xanthe Fabulous name.

My DD is Juno who is also 3. Got a lot of love for classic Greek and Roman names. Suspect it is gaining in popularity, although I have yet to hear of a Xanthe around these parts

AlohaBaby · 23/02/2017 20:28

Hello, I'm a Xanthe! Good to hear it's working for your dd. I love it, it's nice to have an unusual name. It's a pain having to spell it constantly and having the same conversations about it all the time, but I don't mind that much. I've not met another one until recently when my dd started nursery and there's another little girl called Xanthe.

AlohaBaby · 23/02/2017 20:34

Also I am really not posh! Grew up on a council estate with working class parents.

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