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Baby names

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

portia

36 replies

Cosycottage4 · 09/04/2016 15:00

Really struggling with names for DD2, DH and I keep coming up with ideas then vetoing for one reason or another.

Portia came up on a thread I read last night and I think it's beautiful. Obv wouldn't want the car connotations but not sure if that's where people's minds would go on first hearing?

What does everyone think?

OP posts:
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tellmemore1982 · 09/04/2016 15:05

It's very mc, but if you don't mind that then go for it. I really like it, make sure you read the MoV to be certain!

madwomanbackintheattic · 09/04/2016 15:07

I know three cats called Portia, but no humans. It's a little bit 'Jacintha' for me, and I can only really envisage a posh leggy blonde wearing preppy gear hanging out in Cowes, but there's nothing really wrong with it if that's your bag? (I'm from the cheaper end of the sailing spectrum. Happy to hang out on other people's boats but can't afford one myself)
The cats are lovely though - they are all sleek expensive pedigree things, not fat fluffy moggies. Portia's are definitely groomed...

Cosycottage4 · 09/04/2016 15:55

Ha! I think I may also have met a cat called portia Grin

I'm not too bothered by the mc thing really, more that people would think we'd named her after the car...

It's such a difficult one!

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PortiaCastis · 09/04/2016 15:55

Good choice

IoraRua · 09/04/2016 15:56

It is a bit jolly hockey sticks. I'm not a fan at all personally (i think it sounds a bit heavy, same problem with Claudia), but nothing hugely wrong with it.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 09/04/2016 15:57

I know a 15 year old Portia and a 1 year old Portia. It's a nice name.

tellmemore1982 · 09/04/2016 15:57

Most people here pronounce the car like "Porsh", which I guess there is a risk of portia being shortened to. I wouldn't make the connection unless you had a Porsche, otherwise there could be far worse connections

KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 09/04/2016 15:59

There was a Portia in Hollyoaks.

Very 'Shameless' style family. Opposite of posh...

Itinerary · 09/04/2016 16:20

It is rather sterotypically posh.

The only real Portia I can think of is Portia de Rossi, but it turns out she didn't start life as a Portia, she was Amanda Lee Rogers.

mrsschu · 09/04/2016 16:28

Not a fan either. It does sound very posh. Never met one in real life so it would make me think of Portia de Rossi, whose real name was Amanda incidentally.

Cosycottage4 · 11/04/2016 21:09

Oh dear it doesn't seem to be a popular choice!! Confused

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user7755 · 11/04/2016 21:11

No. Hey Hey Portia, I think I wanna ? ya!

I haven't imagined that song have I (even if i have forgotten the words!)

Cosycottage4 · 11/04/2016 21:17

Haha I've never heard that one?!

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AlleyCatandRastaMouse · 11/04/2016 21:19

Absolutely love it. Very Shakespeare😄. Portia deRossa does it justice too.

user7755 · 11/04/2016 21:22
Hepzibar · 11/04/2016 21:23

The first thing I thought of when I saw the thread title was Merchant of Venice.

I think it's a lovely name. XH's Dsis was called Portia ( although the family called her Port)

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 11/04/2016 21:36

I automatically think Quality of Mercy and not anything else.
Shakespeare was a playwright for the people.

I wanted it but unfortunately DH is an absolute heathen.

Absolutelyfabulously · 11/04/2016 21:38

I think Portia De Rossi, Ellen's wife

AmIbeingaBitch · 11/04/2016 21:52

I love her.

AmIbeingaBitch · 11/04/2016 22:03

Point being...you have to have true character to carry that sort of name.

MrsCaecilius · 12/04/2016 09:44

Knew one at school. I love it - says 'Shakespeare' to me too.

If you like that you might also like Miranda or Rosanna?

ChannelFiftySeven · 12/04/2016 09:46

LOVE this name. My daughter would have been one but it doesn't go with our surname SadSadSad

usual · 12/04/2016 09:49

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ABitAsleep · 12/04/2016 09:51

Car imediatley springs to mind...

After that, a snobby, bratty, stereotypicaly posh and rich, nasty girl who goes to private school, lives off her parents money and has probably never worked in her life...

Also, i would how it is pronounced (porsh-ah), but it doesn't stop me saying it in my head as Port-ee-ah every time

can you tell i don't like it?

usual · 12/04/2016 09:54

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