Opinions on Lavinia

[oliveisabella1]

Really stuck for names - we already have a Seraphina - does Lavinia go? What does it make you think of? All I can find on the internet are negative literary etc connotations, but in real life will anyone actually think of them? Thinking there are lots of interesting potential nicknames, and it's unusual enough to be on a level with Seraphina- but is there a good reason for that? Help please!!

[Amalfimamma]

Lavinia, the wife of Trojan hero Aeneas and daughter of Latinus and Amata. I know a few, especially daughters of Italian immigrants or those who love Roman mythology have called their daughter Lavinia.
I love the name but then again I love classical names and hate the new faff names people are using

[BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington]

The Lav bit kills it for me. Didn't Matthew from Downton Abbey have a drippy fiancee called Lavinia. If I remember correctly she died and they all said 'oh dear' and continued eating their luncheon.

[Elbi]

My mind goes straight to the Shakespeare character who is (sorry) raped and mutilated in Titus Andronicus ... Not sure how many will jump to that though.

[BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington]

You're definitely more cultured Elbi. I think trashy Downton and you think Titus Andronicus

[Coey2016]

I think it is very pretty and unusual too. Really like it.

[nooka]

My godmother was called Lavinia, she was a fantastic old lady always known as Vin (which I think is a more likely diminutive as it's the strongest syllable, the 'lav' at the beginning is quite soft, more like 'lev' really).

The only downside to me is that it is a bit too similar sounding to Seraphina.

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

No, sorry OP.
How about Larissa.

[groovygreenwichgirl]

Ooh I met a baby Lavinia the other day in a baby group. She was known as Vinny.

Everyone commented positively on her name and I thought it was really pretty and unusual.

[NotYoda]

I don't like it. To me it sounds like the name of a sneak

[ARightOldPickle]

DH really wanted this for DD1 but I really didn't like it and after quite a tussle she was called something else.
Fast forward to first year at uni, on a night out she recalled the tale to some friends who immediately latched onto 'Lav' but quickly moved onto 'Bog' and so she remained for the rest of her time at uni. Most of the group had nicknames that bore no resemblance to their real names - makes all the agonising over what a baby's nickname will be seem a complete waste of time

[midsomermurderess]

It is a bit Hyacinth Bucket for me.

[plimsolls]

I know an adult Lavinia who has Vinnie as a nickname. Its a pretty name and is on a par with Seraphina.

That said, I think some of the alternative suggestions upthread are gorgeous.

[FlyingGaribaldi]

I like it. The two I know (one about eight, the other over seventy) are both known as the slightly' hard man'-sounding 'Vinny' in case that's an issue.

I do think of poor handless, tongueless, raped Lavinia in Titus Andronicus too, partly because I was at one of the Globe productions where record numbers of people were stretchered out.... BUT I wouldn't let that stop me. There an awful lot of little Ophelia's despite her grim fate in Hamlet. And curiously few Volumnias, despite her being the Saviour of Rome.

[FlyingGaribaldi]

Ophelias.

[CthulhuInDisguise]

It's one of those Shakespearen names like Cordelia, Cressida, Miranda, Hermia and Portia that are really pretty and underused - everyone remembers Beatrice, Hermione and Juliet instead. I think it's lovely especially if you establish a preferred diminutive early doors to avoid "Lavvy" type nicknames.

[tinkwastaken]

Beautiful name, its my Mum's name and my Gran's name and me and DD have it as our middle name. I know a little girl with it too. My Gran was La or Vin never Lav.

[BoboBunnyH0p]

Reminds me of an ancestor my great Grandad's grandmother was Thurza lavinia.

[ScarletSienna]

I don't like it but love most of the suggestions up thread. My first thought was Lav and I agree with Midsommer that it sounds a bit Hyacinth Bucket.

[oliveisabella1]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it really helps! And the other name suggestions are lovely too. Lots to think about! X