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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Too out there?

49 replies

WonderingPerson · 25/08/2017 21:01

I'm quite traditional with names but also love quite 'out there' names.

Bump is a girl and will be called Emilia but we're torn between a traditional middle name or something a bit more 'interesting'.

So.... Emilia Louise or Emilia Persephone?

Most family members we've spoken to about it think that Persephone is a bit ridiculous but I can't let it go! It's not something I'd use as a first name but I love it.

What do you think?

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HappySpade · 25/08/2017 21:43

My DDs middle name is Persephone and everyone loves it!! If you love it, go with it. It's mispronounced as much as my younger DDs name, Penelope (Peen-a-lope).

Borntoflyinfirst · 25/08/2017 21:44

Think of the child and the inevitable teasing. I had a very unusual middle name. I hated it when I was growing up and always tried to pretend I didn't have a middle name. It's not quite so bad now I'm a grown up but still causes raised eyebrows and lots of questions.

revelsandrose · 25/08/2017 21:46

Emilia Persephone is beautiful!

Oddsocksforeveryone · 25/08/2017 21:49

Ds1's girl name was Seraphine,,Persephone was also on the list! Both lovely choices.

Queenofthedrivensnow · 25/08/2017 21:51

My kids have rose, grace, eia and star as middle names. Persephone is amazing

Sophronia · 25/08/2017 22:03

I don't like the meaning of Persephone ("to destroy / murder"), so Emilia Louise.

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 25/08/2017 22:07

Emilia Persephone is a gorgeous name so go for it!

IggyAce · 25/08/2017 22:14

As someone who has Jayne as a middle name I was determined that my DCs didn't have a filler middle (Jayne/Jane, Louise, May, Rise and Grace are filler names Imo). So go with more unusual one. My DD's middle name Evangeline.

TheEternalForever · 25/08/2017 22:52

Persephone is a lovely name! Louise is the middle name of 80% of the girls I know. It's a bit boring and over used in my eyes. If I were going for a normal, fairly well known first name then I'd like to be a bit more extravagant with the middle name too.

SuperBeagle · 26/08/2017 00:43

Eek, I didn't know the meaning of Persephone, so looked it up and it does indeed mean "to destroy; murder". That's really grim.

Liadain · 26/08/2017 01:00

You can get away with silly things as a middle name, imo. If she really hates it, she never has to say it to people.

Maya12 · 26/08/2017 01:39

Don't do it to your poor child - I have an 'interesting' middle name and honestly, I wish my parents had just gone with something sensible.

PaganGoddessBrigid · 26/08/2017 01:53

I think it's sad, the story of Persephone, and more than just one sad story, it's a metaphor for The Mother Wound and The Father Wound.

HollingLove5 · 26/08/2017 03:55

Love Persephone! I've always heard to use the wacky names as middle. The names you LOVE!

hellokitsy · 26/08/2017 05:37

I think it's awful, sorry :( Terrible meaning and just an over the top name for its own sake. If i saw this announced I'd cringe inwardly but discreetly not mention it at all to the parents.

In the same way you say you hated Jane as your middle name, people with very unusual middle names often wish they had Rose.

In the end it's obviously your choice! At least Persephone is a real name with a history and being a middle name, she won't have so many issues with mispronunciation.

Goingtobeawesome · 26/08/2017 06:29

Thank you WP.

soupmaker · 26/08/2017 06:43

Well at least if you do use Persephone it's her middle name and so won't get used very often.

Not one I'd use. I know a little Persephone and she's the only kid I've ever met who really doesn't suit her name.

17caterpillars1mouse · 26/08/2017 09:09

Emilia Persephone is gorgeous and looks sophisticated. If you love it use it. Middle names are often used for names you love but aren't brave enough to use as a first name

EllenJanethickerknickers · 26/08/2017 13:24

I have an unusual middle name. I hated it as a child, even more so because it wasn't mentioned often so was more of a big deal whenever it was 'revealed.' In retrospect I think it would have been better as a first name. I'd have been more used to it and it would have been 'me.'

Bluntness100 · 26/08/2017 13:26

Emilia Persephone is a really lovely name. Definitely go with that.

Original poster

WonderingPerson · 30/08/2017 09:29

Sorry for the late reply, busy bank hol got in the way! I was aware of the meaning of Persephone but thought as it's a middle name it shouldn't matter too much. I think we will be going for it, thanks for all the replies!

OP posts:

stellarfox · 30/08/2017 18:49

Definitely Persephone! Middle names are a good chance to go for something more unusual. Louise has had years of being so popular as a middle name

penguinpurple · 31/08/2017 00:34

I love it and agree with you about the double a endings being a bit much. Personally I'd go with Seraphine as I think that's also lovely and the meaning of Persephone would put me off which is a shame.

notangelinajolie · 31/08/2017 01:15

Generally dislike out there names but I am loving Emilia Persephone. I haven't a clue how its pronounced but I bloody love it. Do it!!

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