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Original poster

Girls name dilemma. Opinions please!

43 replies

TashaT · 30/08/2016 13:52

Hello everyone! I could really do with some honest opinions please, if you'd be so kind.

My husband and I are expecting our first child but we don't know if it's a boy or a girl. I have a girls name in mind that I love and am biased towards but he (perhaps rightly?) is less keen on it: Clio or Cleo.

I think it's adorable but, although he agrees it is a nice name, he thinks any girl with that name would be teased for all eternity for being named after a Renault Clio! What do you think? If you heard that as a girls name would that be your first thought?

Just a bit of background, I was really into my Greek mythology in school and Clio was the muse of history. Cleo is short for Cleopatra as we all know and she was pretty cool too! I definitely prefer the 'Clio' spelling and meaning though.

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JasperDamerel · 30/08/2016 18:38

There's a Clio at the Dc's school. Having said that, there's also an Elektra, an Athene and a Tanith. The catchment is close to a university.

QueenLizIII · 30/08/2016 18:43

If you prefer Clio, the meaning and the spelling, just do it.

You'll have to explain when she is born and maybe to a few people when she is older, at school, but you at some point, it will just be her name.

As as adult, people who meet you dont pick your name apart anymore. It is just accepted.

So I disagree, if you prefer Clio just use it.

Jooni · 30/08/2016 19:57

Cleo is a wonderful name, one of my favourites!

... What else is on your list? Wink

rightguard · 30/08/2016 20:00

I knew a chleona, was shortened to cleo.

Honeybee79 · 30/08/2016 20:57

It would have to be Cleo for all the reasons others have already mentioned!

I met a Clea (aged about 35) for the first time a couple of months ago and thought that was quite nice - tho perhaps everyone would think it was "Clear".

Original poster
TashaT · 30/08/2016 21:17

Thanks again everyone. I think I was being daft to think I'd get away with the 'Clio' variant. I do still really like the 'Cleo' spelling though! You wait; after all this it'll be a boy! Grin

OP posts:
QueenLizIII · 30/08/2016 21:20

I think I was being daft to think I'd get away with the 'Clio' variant.

I still dont see why you cant use it. If you prefer it, call her Clio.

After a time, no one will care, it will just be her name to everyone who knows her.

IndiX · 31/08/2016 04:52

My best friend is called Clio and i love the name. She's never really had the whole Renault Clio hing unless she's said it about herself.
Go with what you love, not what you think others will likeSmile

WomanScorned · 31/08/2016 05:08

Love Cleo, though I'm maybe biased, as I know a gorgeous 6 year old Cleo 😍. In 6 years, the Renault thing had never occurred to me!
Clio, on the other hand, is definitely a car.

EllenDegenerate · 31/08/2016 09:14

I have s cousin named Cleopa, it's a saints name. She goes by Cleo.

My God daughter is also named Cleo. Just Cleo.

I really like it.

Macdat · 01/09/2016 21:12

There was a Cleo in primary school with me. Was around the time that girl group Cleopatra came out too. Nobody teased her at all for having a "car name" but she probably had that annoying song sung to her once or twice. So I don't think they'll tease her for it.
It is a lovely name.

Ryooki · 02/09/2016 10:20

Thanks everyone for saying it's a lovely name. I've never met another girl with that name but it's nice to know it's not considered too different and that there are girls out there using successfully without torment!

Good news too! My DH has agreed we can use the 'Cleo' spelling if it's a girl! Smile Smile Smile

We just need to find a boys name now. I'll let him take the lead on that one seeing as I pushed so hard for the girls name. Seems only fair! Wink

KoalaDownUnder · 02/09/2016 10:22

Yay! Nice work. Grin ooh, would love to have a little Cleo...

Spaghettidog · 02/09/2016 10:28

There's a Clio at the Dc's school. Having said that, there's also an Elektra, an Athene and a Tanith. The catchment is close to a university.

Athene was what I was going to call the daughter I never had any interest in having when I was about fourteen, I think influenced by Jane Gardam's The Summer After the Funeral, about a girl who was obsessed by Emily Bronte. I still kind of like it.

On the other hand, I would no more call a daughter Elektra than I would Medea.The Strauss opera has always given me the creeps.

Spaghettidog · 02/09/2016 10:29

PS, I wouldn't be swayed for a moment by worrying about car brands and the like. Flora has survived the margarine, and there are plenty of little Mercedes in the world.

chocoLit · 02/09/2016 17:41

I LOVED Cleo but DH said no

conkerpods · 02/09/2016 20:26

Clio was on my list,along with Carmen and Bonnie. I don't mind it spelt Cleo but as I know someone called Clio that's how I always picture it.

NavyandWhite · 02/09/2016 20:30

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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