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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Zoe - first impressions

74 replies

BettyBi0 · 04/12/2013 01:31

What kind of woman does the name Zoe suggest to you?

I was really surprised/ disappointed to hear it is now top 30 in America. Would this put you off?

Also, please forgive my preggo brain but I can't remember what the dot things over the E are called. Is the name better with or without dots?

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Rosencrantz · 04/12/2013 02:09

I donk like it. Feels very dated 80s/90s to me.

Lairyfights · 04/12/2013 02:25

I'm a teacher in a primary school so I have collected a lot of 'veto' names! Have to say, Zoe is not one of them! I would say it isn't a very commonly used name (at the moment we have a lot of Evie's, Olivia's, and E/Ava's for girls.)

Personally I like it! I wouldn't have the dots on the e, because it changes the pronunciation.
Zoe - Zo ee
Zoë - Zo ai

Of course if you want the dots for decorations that's up to you, parents often change names and spellings to suit themselves and it is a personal preference. For example, I have a girl called 'Elliette' pronounced 'Elliot' in my class.

sykadelic15 · 04/12/2013 02:27

The "two dots" are called "umlauts". Are you hoping to include umlauts in the name Zoe?

It's our family dogs name, I only mention it because you asked for first thought :)

I like it, it's a cute name. The nickname in my experience is Zo which is still cute :)

As for popularity, I live in the US and I can't say I've met a Zoe in person or know someone that's mentioned a Zoe. So I suppose I would only really care if I knew a few people with the name.

MinnieMooMoo · 04/12/2013 02:48

A friend has an 8 year old Zoe and she's very feisty and energetic. Adorable little thing though :)

GiraffesAndButterflies · 04/12/2013 03:41

I'd have to disagree with Lairyfights - I'd consider the diaresis necessary to change the pronunciation from 'zo' (rhymes with toe) to the common pronounciation of 'zo-ey' (like Chloë).

From Wiki: The diaeresis mark is sometimes used in English personal first and last names to indicate that two adjacent vowels should be pronounced separately, rather than as a diphthong. Examples include the given names Chloë and Zoë, which otherwise might be pronounced with a silent e.

Now I doubt anyone is going to get it wrong if you leave off the dots, but that's what they're for :)

I like the name, it means 'life' which is nice and also refreshingly simple!

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/12/2013 03:55

First thought, the 1980s called and want their name back. i like it but it is dated.

Yes to the umlauts.

GiraffesAndButterflies · 04/12/2013 03:59

MrsTerry!

mathanxiety · 04/12/2013 05:51

According to this list, Zoe is number 30 in the US and Zoey is number 20.

I like it. Just because a name is in the top 100 in the US or UK doesn't mean it will cross the pond either way any time soon.

uptheanty · 04/12/2013 06:22

I know a little French girl called Zoe.
She is very interesting!
6 years old and insists on dressing herself and choosing her own clothes, the result is eclectic and totally individual.
She's clever, sweet and very likeable.

PlainBrownEnvelope · 04/12/2013 06:24

Short listed it for DD. really like it. It just doesn't really work with our surname.

Mogz · 04/12/2013 06:30

Short, sweet and underused. I would spell as Zoë.

Justyou · 04/12/2013 06:32

Friend has it spelt zoey and loves it as her name as rarely meets someone with the same name and def not same spelling.

CPtart · 04/12/2013 06:38

My best friends name. She's 41.

Cutteduppumpkin · 04/12/2013 06:43

I really like it, but then I know a couple of really nice grown up Zoe's, so maybe it is dated?

IsSpringSprangedYet · 04/12/2013 06:51

Zoe was my best friend in Year 3, then she moved

The Zoe I currently know is lovely. Having a gap year in uni I think, is very trendy, very pretty and is travelling in some exotic country. Lots of friends.

I like the name. I don't know any baby ones though.

alexbaublistigers · 04/12/2013 06:54

The name is pronounced as Zo-ee with the diaresis (or umlaut, if you prefer), not Zo-ay.

I like it a lot. It means "life".

Bowlersarm · 04/12/2013 06:58

I like it.

The adult Zoe to me is poised, confident, determined and probably at the top of her career ladder. I don't think it is a 'fluffy' name, or 'cutesie' as people would say on MN.

Writerwannabe83 · 04/12/2013 07:41

It was going to be our chosen name if we had a little girl, but we are expecting a boy I think it's lovely. We wouldn't have had the dots though.

Charotte31 · 04/12/2013 07:44

I don't like it at all! Very 80's!!

Spaghettinetti · 04/12/2013 08:35

I love it. It's a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning.

HyvaPaiva · 04/12/2013 08:40

I don't like it at all, I'm afraid. It isn't a nice 'sound'.

JanePurdy · 04/12/2013 08:50

lairyflights you've triggered one of my pet peeves, no apostrophes in plurals even if they are names... I wouldn't comment but you said you were a teacher so I was a bit surprised.

I agree with comments on the umlaut, technically needed to give the right pronounciation but in reality everyone pronounces it right regardless. I also agree that it is very 80s, but since my niece has been named it I am quite fond of it - & it is a classic in the sense of being around for ever, if used more at some points than others.

mrssmith79 · 04/12/2013 08:59

Love it! But I am a little biased . In thirty-odd years i've only met one other IRL.

DiamondsAndRust · 04/12/2013 09:01

Zoe is my name (with the dieresis but I can't work out how to do it on here!) I really like my name - I think it did peak in the UK in the '80s, but as a teacher I still regularly come across young Zoes and my name seems less dated than most of my peer group (who are called things like Kerry, Samantha, Claire, Lindsay etc)

I like having the initial Z, and the fact that my name is easy to spell and pronounce. 'Life' is also a great meaning. It's not too frilly or cutesy, and is a name that fits into all walks of life.

mrssmith79 · 04/12/2013 09:03

Diamonds - hold down the ALT key and press 0,2,3,5 et voila! ë!

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