Portia

[Eliii]

What does everyone think of the name Portia?

I love it. But I'm not sure if I'm brave enough.

Viola is beautiful- I'd go with that.

I think it would take a lot to carry off a name like Portia, particularly for someone going to a state school and having an average background.

The fact that Portia is a Shakespearean character is neither here nor there- so is Volumnia.

I think it's beautiful. Average background or not.

Phoebe also lovely. But I prefer Portia. It's gorgeous.

I don't really like it, it's the kind of name one of the wiseguys from The Sopranos would give their daughter.

I love it but am put off by the meaning, which is pig.

I have an extremely lovely friend called Portia (mid twenties), so I say go for it!

Also, she was 'state school and average background' and noone batted an eyelid.

Thankyou everyone!

Mixed response, seems like you either love it or hate it!

I knew a Portia at school. Normal state school, from a normal background.

Nobody gave it a second thought.

Also went to school with an Athena and an Antigone.

None were any relation to each other.

Oh ooops, meant to say I like Portia.

Hmm my middle name is Portia and I don't love it, I always thought it sounded a bit like a stripper which is a massive contrast to those who thought it sounds pretentious.
It is often mispronounced as well, people say por-tia with a hard 't'

Nothing wrong with the name saying that I’m a little bias! I love my name and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Yes uneducated people presume it’s after the car, however it’s an old name commonly linked to the Shakespeare plays Merchant of Venice and Julius Caesar.

Did you use the name in the end?

Portia

Portia is a beautiful name.

I quite like it. I certainly like its unusualness and the Shakespeare reference. I get confused about a name being described as pretentious - but I'm not in UK where it seems there is such a strong class conciousness about everything. Why can't anyone use a name they like?

Portia is beautiful and sounds nothing like Porsche!

But the Italian name Portia has no connection to the German car maker Porsche! I don't get that association.

Are you pronouncing the name Port-ee-a by any chance?

Phoebe, yes love it
Claudia, yes

But....Portia is awful (and I like unusual names usually). Sounds like a Hyacinth Bucket type name?! As in, someone who is trying desperately to sound posh.

Wheat

I imagine that the poster is pronouncing Porsche as “porsh” as most British people do, rather than mispronouncing Portia.

I'd say

Por tee uh for Portia

and

Porsh eh for Porsche