Nefeli

[Panoramarama]

Pronounced 'Ne-FEL-ee'

It's an ancient Greek name. How does it sound to you?

DH is Greek and I'm English but a Greek speaker and have lost all objectivity.

Still a long way to go and we don't know what we are having so open to other suggestions. Ancient names we also like are Ariadne and Lydia.

Thanks!

[SparkleMotion82]

Umm I don’t love it...how about Persephone?

[Sheitgeist]

I sort of like it, but it makes me think of "nefarious", which isn't good.
I love Ariadne, though.

[Olivelor]

Nefeli is a beautiful name. Absolutely love it. Wouldn't think twice if I were you.

[TheodoreTheChipmunk]

I like it. Different and quirky.

[hiyasminitsme]

Where do you live - UK or Greece? If in the UK child will spend their life having to spell it out and correct pronunciation.

[Glumglowworm]

It's pretty

My first thought was Nefertiti (apologies if I've spelled that wrong) not nelly the elephant like a pp said!

[Hulababy]

I teach a Nefeli. Nice name. No one has any issues with pronouncing it - it is fairly phonetic. Ne-fel-ee (the /Ne/ and /fel/ being a short e sound). None of the teaching staff we've had here have seemed to have had any issues - all have said it and spelt it correctly.

No ones ever mistaken it or referred to "Nelly the elephant" either

[IWouldLikeToKnow]

What a pretty name. It’s pronounced fairly phonetically so I wouldn’t foresee any difficulties

[Erica891]

I think it's a lovely name, unique but lovely.

[Panoramarama]

Thanks everyone, it's really interesting reading your replies.

Nefeli in mythology is mostly known as a nature deity of the clouds. It is also the root of one of the Greek words for cloud.

I've never heard of the piano piece but will check it out!

Regarding spelling, it depends how far you want to go with anglicising it. 'Nefeli' and 'Faidra' are literal translations 'Νεφέλη' and 'Φαίδρα' that are used as names in Greece. However, as many of you say, if you were to read about mythology in an English text book, you'd likely see 'Nephele' and 'Phaedra'

[C0untDucku1a]

I peonounced nefeli in my head as you said it is pronounced and i also love faidra.

[Movablefeast]

Love Nefeli - beautiful. What does it mean?

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

Isn't it Phaedra?

I think if you call a child Nefeli you will have to prepare yourself for spelling it out to everyone. Personally I don't like it but it's up to you what name you use.

[confusedandemployed]

I love it. I would pronounce it the way OP suggested, I'm a Welsh speaker and we seem to have a lot of the same pronunciation rules as Greek!
Nelli for short! Which again I love.

[AlmostChristmas]

I know one Nefeli, Mum Greek and dad British. Lovely name and really suits her.

[Caulk]

I like Nefeli. I know a Nifemi (Nif-em-e) which I think is pretty.

[HuskyMcClusky]

I think Nefeli will get incorrectly pronounced as ‘NEF-eh-lee’ her whole life.

I would go with Phaedra, spelled like that.

[Bubblesoup]

Both are beautiful! I think Faidra has the edge for me, partly because the pronounciation seems more obvious.

[Dixiestampsagain]

It just reminds me of the Einaudi piece I’ve been teaching some of my piano pupils! I’d never thought of using it as a name- it’s quite nice!

[SuperBeagle]

I would assume a Nefeli was Middle Eastern, to be honest. Primarily because it looks and sounds similar to Nefertiti etc.

Faidra should surely be Phaedra?

[IVflytrap]

Nefeli is lovely! I know of the ancient Greek Nephele. I'm guessing Nefeli is an alternative form? I prefer Nefeli anyway - I think the spelling is more intuitive for English speakers. I also really like Ariadne, but Lydia and Faidra less so.

[ChocolateCrunch]

How about
Cassia
Cleo
Althea
Karissa

[ImaginaryCat]

My absolute favourite piece of music by Ludovico Einoudi.

[EssentialHummus]

Love everything except Lydia. Can I chuck in Eleni as an option? Love it, we nearly had Elena (Russian) here.

[Yika]

I love Nefeli, beautiful name!