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Baby names

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Original poster

Polytimi or Myrsini ?

28 replies

Monamama · 02/05/2018 06:02

They are both Greek girl names and I am Greek living in the U.K.

Pronunciation

  • Polytimi: PoleeTEEmi (soft t). Meaning Valuable and my grandma’s name
  • Myrsini: MeerSEEnee. Meaning a type of tree growing in Greece, not sure what it is in English

Will these work in the U.K.?
Do you like any of the two? Which one and why?
Do you have a preference?

OP posts:
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Itscolderoutside · 02/05/2018 06:18

Both are very pretty but I would use Myrsini. Putting myself in UK playground mode, the 'Poly'part of Polytimi reminds me of Polythene, Polyfilla and so on. It also triggers thoughts of Roly-Poly ....my DD is on the heavier side so I am aware of potential for teasing. If the nn was Poly, most people in the UK would hear that as Polly so would also regularly have to spell her name. Myrsini is equally lovely and has none of those issues. Sorry if that seems disrepectful to your grandma but is just based on what I remember of potential for playground teasing!

olderthanyouthink · 02/05/2018 06:18

I think Polytimi would be easier to live with in the U.K. but will likely be pronounced poly-timmy (reminds me of poly tunnels)

I don't particularly like either but I think I prefer Polytimi.

userabcname · 02/05/2018 07:33

Ooh I like these OP - I really like Greek names. I like both and both would work but I prefer the first as it has sentimental value for you (my son is named after my grandfather and I love it for that reason).

wizzywig · 02/05/2018 07:34

Demetriou?

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 02/05/2018 07:35

Myrsini is lovely. Polytimi is also nice, but Myrsini is very elegant and grown up.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 02/05/2018 07:37

Myrsini, definitely. Beautiful name. I think Polytimi would end up being called Polly whether you liked it or not.

Duckies · 02/05/2018 07:39

Both are lovely. Like PP, I think Polytimi has 'Polly' in there but this could be a plus, if she wanted to use an 'English' derivative at any point.

Of course, you may not want her to cut short her beautiful Greek name this way in which case less of a positive!

RavenWings · 02/05/2018 07:43

Myrsini. I think Polytimi would be mispronounced as others said, and get shortened to Timmi.

pipilangstrumpf · 02/05/2018 08:03

Both beautiful names! I'd probably choose Myrsini

TeFiti · 02/05/2018 08:08

Beautiful names (my daughter has a Greek name too). I prefer the sound of Myrsini and I think English people would have a better time with the pronunciation, if that’s a concern.

As others have said I think Polytimi would lend itself to the nickname Polly, especially as school, so that’s something to consider if you are comfortable with.

RoundaboutSnail · 02/05/2018 08:47

I prefer Myrsini.

bridgetreilly · 02/05/2018 09:55

Myrsini is gorgeous. I have a Greek friend called Myrto and I really like that too. I think it's the myrtle tree.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 02/05/2018 10:14

Polytimi is lovely !

FizzyGreenWater · 02/05/2018 10:33

Myrsini is nicer I think - Polytimi I like, but it just sounds too much like a product!

Polytimi will end up as Polly

Myrsini will end up as Mee-ree or possibly Mirri.

Luckingfovely · 02/05/2018 10:36

Myrsini

Sophronia · 02/05/2018 11:23

Myrsini

DuggeeHugs · 02/05/2018 13:17

Polytimi

Marcipex · 02/05/2018 13:54

Myrsini .
I have no idea what you mean by a soft t , sorry .

DiegoMadonna · 02/05/2018 13:59

I like both, and both are probably similar in terms of the general British public being unsure how to pronounce them at first, and then both being fairly easy once you know how.

I prefer Myrsini though. Lovely name.

Ohyesiam · 02/05/2018 14:03

I like both names, especially the second.
I wouldn’t worry about pronunciation, I’ve spent my whole life meeting people with names that are new to me. I have a rubbish memory and might have to check I’m getting it right, but it’s never been a problem

emdoc · 02/05/2018 14:36

I think Myrsini is really beautiful! And quite intuitive to pronounce. Both are pretty though.

TatianaLarina · 02/05/2018 16:29

Polytimi in the UK is too much associated with polyurethane, polyester, polyfilla, and illness - polycystic ovaries, polyps, polyneuropathy, polymyaliga, polymytosis etc.

Myrsini is very pretty though.

Original poster
Monamama · 02/05/2018 21:16

Oh helpful comments. It seems that Myrsini is the preference for the U.K.
Marcipex by soft t I meant Not like the way t is pronounced in Tea in the UK but more like how t is pronounced in Greek or Spanish or Italian, it is a softer sound closer to d but not quite...

OP posts:
manicinsomniac · 02/05/2018 21:46

I prefer Myrsini but I like your reason for choosing Polytimi and they're both lovely names so I'm on the fence.

I suppose I think Myrsini is more elegant and exotic sounding yet I would pronounce it correctly by reading it. Whereas Polytimi seems more like Polly with an add on and I would have pronounced it 'polit-im-ee'.

Incorrect pronunciations don't really matter, I suppose. Loads of people have names you can't necessarily work out on your own but you only need to be told once.

RedDwarves · 02/05/2018 22:25

Polytimi would be easier to live with in the UK, as it can be shortened to Polly.

Myrsini makes me think of "mercenary", which isn't a great thing.