Shakespearean names... too poncey?

[Musidora]

I really like these Shakespearean names for future DD, but are they, well... too poncey? Interested in people's opinions.

• Lavinia
• Marina
• Ophelia
• Octavia
• Cressida
• Cassandra
• Viola

I love Shakespearean names, my favourite from your list is Cassandra, as for boys names I have Othello, Octavius and Romeo on my middle name list. Henry, Lysander and Sebastian are other suggestions.

Ophelia is beautiful. Was on my shortlist.

I don't like Marina - too many boat jokes. And Cassandra is still Only Fools and Horses or mythology for me. The others are lovely.

Ooh thanks all! Think I may be leaning towards Cressida/Octavia... and for a boy will have to persuade DP to think outside of Shakespeare! (I like Sebastian think there may be quite a lot of them over the next few years.)

What about Perdita? I like that too.

Cassandra was never believed.

If you want a "Shakespearean" boy name, you could always just go with William. I'm also personally a bit partial to Orlando.

I like Cassandra best of the names in your OP.

I could imagine a lady lawyer choosing Portia for her daughter. Now THAT would be poncey...

I love Ophelia, got it earmarked for potential future DD2, Hamlet nut job associations and 'feel ya' jokes be damned!

Cassandra is pretty normal. But as to 'are they too poncey for you?' I simply wouldn't know as I don't know anything about you.

• normal as in mainstream

Not at all! I always wanted to name a daughter Ophelia, but DH wouldn't 'ave it! It is one of my favourite names. And for a boy Orlando.

Girls names yes, most are beautiful. Boys names are tricky, I overheard parents calling to"Lysander" at the weekend. He didn't suit his name, it sounded very try-hard and made me cringe inside.

Rodney Trotter has ruined the name Cassandra sadly.

My uncle was an English Lit teacher. Each of his 4 children had a Shakespearean name. Including a Benedick...

Actually, I think if you have to ask, or feel you have to ask, then they probably are.

reuset - I already know that I like them, so don't feel that they're too poncey 'for me'. I was wondering what impression they would give to others. I know that's not the most important thing when choosing a name but it is a consideration. This has been helpful, thanks all!

I have a Shakespearean named DD and one of my current favourite girls names is also a Shakespearean name.