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Baby names

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

Is Daphne a bit too old-fashioned/unattractive?

55 replies

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 24/04/2014 16:10

I have the perfect girl's name for DC2 (we already have a DD) but DH really doesn't like it...I am working on him but won't force him to agree to a name he hates so am trying to come up with some others. I want something that ends in an "ie" syllable (will work with our surname, won't be too similar to DD's name) and wondered if Daphne would be an option? I don't think I like it very much though so wondered if you lot could persuade me?

And what about other names ending in an "ie" syllable? I have a few possibles but am open to suggestions!

(I came across Gorgophone - presumably pronounced "Gor-GO-phony" - on a baby names website: that one is definitely not an option Grin)

OP posts:
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ThatBloodyWoman · 24/04/2014 18:48

I'll be honest and ssy I'm not keen on Daphne.

Not at all in line with your requirements but I had a passing muse on Agnes the other day.

mathanxiety · 24/04/2014 18:53

I can't warm to Ottilie. I think it's the combination of the very Bismarckian Otto and the uber frilly -tilie at the end that makes me think this is a strange mish mash of a name.

Daphne otoh is lovely imo. Classic and beautiful as PP said, and has a lovely light feel to it..

If you like the -ie ending or EE sound, there are thousands of them:
Felicity
Emily
Sophie
Mary
Marie
Carrie
Avery
Carly
Ivy
Nancy
Heidi
Dorothy
Leonie
Cecily
Cicely
Rosalie
Tierney
Sylvie
Lucie/Lucy
Trinity
Kirsty
Magali
Marsaili
Naomi
Rosemarie
Romy
Romilly

GlaikitFizzEgg · 24/04/2014 19:00

I like daphne, but being Scottish immediately think about daphne Broon. Which is a shame. I know a GreekDaphne and she is beautiful and lovely.

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 24/04/2014 19:07

Ooh lots of suggestions, thanks!

This is my list of possibles at the moment, some of which have already been mentioned above:

Ottilie (DH doesn't like. Would be Tilly for short)
Romilly (my DM might not appreciate this as she's very self-conscious about her pronunciation of 'r', and DD's name already causes her this problem. Still, not necessarily a reason not to use it)
Felicity
Matilda (Tilly for short)
Tabitha
Talitha (Tali for short)
Antigone (but has an awful pronunciation in DH's native language. Would be Tiggy for short)
Daphne (very not sure about this one...)
Ianthe
Calliope (love this but appreciate it is very pretentious. Then again, so are lots of the others Grin Callie for short)
Xanthe
Caoimhe (but we have no Irish connections and nobody would ever be able to spell it, so think this is a pipe dream)
Juno (but this doesn't really go with our surname)

I also have a guilty liking for Khaleesi Grin would never dare use it though.

OP posts:
thegreylady · 24/04/2014 19:08

I love Dorothy and Phoebe. Actually Annie is nice too but I think Daphne is lovely.

Artandco · 24/04/2014 20:23

If you like greek what about

Thalia
Leonora/ leonore
Nora
Theodora

MrsRuffdiamond · 24/04/2014 21:46

There is an anglicised spelling of Caoimhe - Keeva, which is sometimes used.

Thought of some more!

Audrey
Minnie
Amelie
Hermione
Phoebe
Hebe
Bebe
Charlotte (Lottie)
Bronte
Evadne
Mimi

itfcbabe · 24/04/2014 22:06

I love the name Ottilie but hubby doesn't

don;t really like Daphne sorry.

xx

MoonHare · 24/04/2014 22:34

I had never heard the name Ottillie until 3 years ago when I overheard a woman telling someone else that her new baby was called Otterly. I was puzzled. I then discovered that Ottillie is a real name that people really give to their daughters. Fine, but I'm sure that many people will also think first of otters, even if they never tell you, or her, that to your face. So I think your DH is right in his reluctance over this name.

You have some other gorgeous names on your list - I love Tabitha, Matilda, Felicity, Romilly and Talitha.

ChickenMe · 24/04/2014 23:18

Think Daphne is cute and could be really cool. Was also thinking that Stephanie could be due a revival.

mathanxiety · 25/04/2014 00:19

Caoimhe doesn't have an -ie sound at the end.

MrsNoodleHead · 25/04/2014 00:50

Delphie is gorgeous

ThatBloodyWoman · 25/04/2014 08:47

Tabitha, Talitha, Antigone, and, yes, Khaleezi, are all lovely methinks.

ThatBloodyWoman · 25/04/2014 08:49

Another two mentioned before that I like are Winnie and Nancy.

Also there's Merry, Bonnie and Francesca (Frankie).

ThatBloodyWoman · 25/04/2014 08:51

And Nellie and Bridie.

singaporeswing · 25/04/2014 08:56

We have a very similar taste in names - future DDs are named Talitha, Matilda and Caoimhe!

I also love

Elsa
Vera
Camille
Adelaide
Verity
Lyra
Arden

Bonsoir · 25/04/2014 09:03

Felicity is beautiful!

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 25/04/2014 09:55

Some lovely suggestions here - thanks!

I know Caoimhe doesn't have an ie sound at the end (same with some of my other options) but it's still on the list because I like it Smile I don't think I would go for the Anglicised spelling so I think that means it's not an option - if we had any Irish connections at all, or if it was a Scottish Gaelic name, it would be fine, but as it is, I think we will have to say no to it. (The Greek ones are ok I think as I studied Greek - tenous link but a link nonetheless!)

Other than Ottilie I am beginning to think Felicity might be a frontrunner as I'm more likely to persuade DH on that than on Xanthe or Calliope...but would Felicity work with a middle name that also begins with an F? (My mum's name - we have pretty much settled on using that as a middle name)

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 25/04/2014 09:56

I love an initial F! But I agree FF isn't ideal. Your surname doesn't begin with S does it?

AlpacaYourThings · 25/04/2014 10:00

Felicity, Matilda, Tabitha and Daphne are all lovely.

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 25/04/2014 10:03

No she wouldn't be FFS! Grin So there is that at least...

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 25/04/2014 10:07

My DD's initials are FEZWP. Which is a huge mouthful - except she never uses them. I don't think initials are wildly important unless they spell something rude or silly in which case avoid.

IsatTherewithSally · 25/04/2014 11:23

I love Daphne and Matilda but not so sure about Felicity f. What about

Nellie
Mia
Maggie
Alyssa
Esther

mathanxiety · 25/04/2014 16:25

I think two Fs for first and middle name would be fine. I have a first and middle name along those lines myself (not F though) and can't remember anyone ever remarking on it. People tend to use only their first name with surname, even for labels on clothing.

If it's not going to end up as FFS or OMG or LOL or WTF then you're grand.

Being Irish, I know a few LO'Ls and an Orla Mary G--- , all named before the internet was invented..

magentasurprise · 25/04/2014 20:25

I think Daphne is a lovely name.

Lots os other good ones of your list too.