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Baby names

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

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Original poster

We like these girls names...

73 replies

eddiethehorse · 20/09/2015 17:04

DD2 will be arriving soon and we like two names but doubt anyone else will. In fact our first choice has been universally disliked to date. I am interested to hear MN opinions...so here goes:

Artemisia
Omaia

Both work with our surname and DD1 likes them!

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Wearyheadedlady · 22/09/2015 14:11

I can't share it, very sorry. It would out me to other users of mumsnet most of whom I have no doubt I know in RL in some way, shape or form. Anonymity is priceless.

ediepop · 22/09/2015 18:38

Sounding made up is not the same as actually being made up.
I expect some people, when they are introduced to DD, do an internal but no one has actually been rude about it to my face. Most people are very polite and if they comment at all, ask about the origins and are happy to listen to a brief explanation. And I've had lots of positive comments, along the lines of 'how beautiful and unusual.' Even if those people privately think I/we are ghastly Hyacinth Bucket types, they generally keep it to themselves.

I have an unusual name myself and have always loved it. I think if you love a name, you should use it. Screw everyone else. Once your baby arrives, I seriously doubt anyone will be bad mannered enough to be rude about her name.

lljkk · 22/09/2015 18:42

You could make them work, but I think there are much prettier choices that won't raise eyebrows.

Laquila · 22/09/2015 20:02

I like Artemis better than Artemisia, I think, but the former also reminds me of Aramis, so in a way sounds more masculine to me. I prefer them both to Omaia, which reminds me of omertà, the Sicilian Mafia code of silence...sorry, not very helpful!

Do bear in mind that people who have never heard these names will tend to think they're made up, rather than just assuming that conceivably, names they haven't heard of might exist.

Wearyheadedlady · 22/09/2015 22:04

Kid on our street is called Anais. Lovely name. Not too fussy, not over used either.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 22/09/2015 22:15

I like Omaia - if I am pronouncing it right. Is it basically Maia with an O on the front?

Artemisia is pretentious. Sorry but it is. Although people do use pretentious names all the time (Opehlia for example), so that may not worry you.

Wearyheadedlady · 22/09/2015 22:48

Omaia is like a combination of Obama and the name of one of his daughters, Maia. Is she the older, snooty faced one? The younger one definitely seems nicer.

Atemesia is utterly pretentious. Hoards will snort with derision for years. Its positively human cruelty to name a child thus.

JasperDamerel · 22/09/2015 23:21

I quite like Artemisia shortened to Tim.

AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 22/09/2015 23:33

Well you had a much better experience edie. I had a very unusual name growing up in the 80s and my childhood was a nightmare because of it. I would not wish the snide looks, taunts and repetitive "pardon?" on anyone.

ediepop · 23/09/2015 00:11

Crikey, I'm glad I didnt post here when we were considering Artemisia as a name. Must admit it is a bit of an eye opener to see how many people must think DH and I are awful and pretentious because of what we named our daughter (for good, legitimate reasons IMO). It doesn't really seem that weird to me, but I know a number of children with unusual names. Alaric springs to mind. As does Campaspe.
I can also think of some children who have names I actively dislike or think are dull. We seem to know any number of Amelias, Sophies, Isabellas etc. Pretty but boring. Not that I'd dream of actually saying that to them/their parents.
Names are divisive and can have all sorts of associations you have no control over for other people. I've never liked the name Charles because I went to school with a horrible Charles. When I was 5.

I still think it's a beautiful, strong, name with a fantastic history. Past Artemisias are interesting, brave, talented women. We wanted a 'role model' name. I think it fulfils that brief and is better than spending your life as 'Sophie W. No, the other Sophie W...' (sorry to all Sophies. It's a lovely name, but there are lots!)

PlopsyWhopsy · 23/09/2015 00:22

I like omaia a lot.
Ignore the "she'll be forever spelling it/prouncing it" brigade. I have a foreign first name And a different foreign nationality surname. I'm always asked to spell it/pronounce it but I love that about my name and never tire of it.

Wearyheadedlady · 23/09/2015 00:36

I don't think anyone said you were "awful" Edie. Just that they didn't like the name.

LisbethSalandersLaptop · 23/09/2015 00:40

Artemis is the name not Artemisia. It sounds like a plumbing system.

Wearyheadedlady · 23/09/2015 01:11

Artemisia Kohler

Artemisia Toto

The list of toilet brands is quite extensive.

JasperDamerel · 23/09/2015 07:31

I was a bit intrigued by the toilet thing, so I had a look on the B&Q website and the very first toilet I saw was called Helena, which is a fairly unexceptional name, despite the link with a B&Q own brand toilet.

fleurdelacourt · 23/09/2015 13:22

OP- you did say you were interested in hearing opinions. Actually it turns out you aren't interested in hearing opinions at all. So despite everyone saying Noooo - way too pretentious/ghastly you are still going ahead.

Why bother posting in the first place?

MadameMachin · 23/09/2015 14:49

I'm sorry, I agree with previous posters who don't like either name.

Artemisia - is like amnesia, which has already been mentioned. (Artemis might be OK with a really common surname as suggested by ThroughThickandThin01.)

Omaia - sounds like "oh my!" - a person who is going about round-eyed in constant surprise. (or it might be disappointment)

Original poster

eddiethehorse · 23/09/2015 17:44

Where on earth did i say i didn't want to hear opinions? Where? I want to hear them, don't have to agree with them.....

OP posts:

BeeMyBaby · 23/09/2015 18:08

I prefer omaia, it's very pretty and seems easy to say.

Laquila · 23/09/2015 22:56

There's no Mumsnet rule that says that if you post asking for opinions, you MUST go with the consensus and change your life choices accordingly. Is there?

minervamouse · 30/09/2015 12:33

Now I have been lurking on here for ages but can not help but post on this - Artemisia is an amazing name, My DS was going to be an Artemisia, and Missy would of been the day to day version. She was a great ancient Queen who built one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, for her husband Mausolus., then went on to rule and play a major role in the battle of Salamis - Not many Amelias can say that!

I am an ancient historian/classicist so hideously biased but I don't think Missy is an odd name.

In the art world it is perfectly normal to have great names shortened to more accepted variants, or just nick-names - not at all pretentious just what we come across and love day to day.

Whoknewitcouldbeso · 30/09/2015 12:42

They both sound like names that would fall out my head instantly after an introduction as I haven't heard of them nor could I spell them or pronounce them for that matter

If none of that bothers you then I think either is fine.

Original poster

eddiethehorse · 30/09/2015 15:40

I am pretty sure she will be an Artemisia, despite the majority opinion we love it, DD1 loves it...whats not to love! My father says we will regret it but Im quite certain we won't. I have a few weeks to go yet, so still time for inspiration but we have been pretty set since we found out the gender.....now what should we choose for a middle name? Love your comment Minervamousex

OP posts:

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