Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Shakespearean names... too poncey?

43 replies

Musidora · 25/08/2015 14:50

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
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
StevieJo · 26/08/2015 04:26

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.

Cornberry · 26/08/2015 09:57

Ophelia is beautiful. Was on my shortlist.

LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 26/08/2015 13:53

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.

Original poster
Musidora · 27/08/2015 00:00

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.)

OP posts:
EcclefechanTart · 27/08/2015 00:06

What about Perdita? I like that too.

howtorebuild · 27/08/2015 00:11

Cassandra was never believed.

NinjaLeprechaun · 27/08/2015 08:14

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.

Sgtmajormummy · 27/08/2015 08:20

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

SniffsAndSneezes · 29/08/2015 17:28

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

reuset · 29/08/2015 17:37

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.

reuset · 29/08/2015 17:37
  • normal as in mainstream
horsewalksintoabar · 29/08/2015 17:42

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

Allthatnonsense · 29/08/2015 21:44

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.

Squooshed · 29/08/2015 22:06

Rodney Trotter has ruined the name Cassandra sadly.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 29/08/2015 22:10

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

reuset · 30/08/2015 02:10

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

Original poster
Musidora · 30/08/2015 11:16

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!

OP posts:
HackerFucker22 · 30/08/2015 11:24

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

New posts on this thread. Refresh page