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Baby names

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

Original poster

Persephone, Beatrix or.....?

143 replies

TheCag · 09/08/2018 10:59

We’ve just found out dc3 is a girl and obviously all I can think about now is names.

We have two boys called Rufus and Felix, I don’t mind names not ‘matching’ but it gives you an idea of what we like. I prefer names that aren’t too popular. If dc3 had been another boy I’d have been pushing for the name Magnus.

I like Beatrix and Diana, dh likes Persephone, Jemima and Penelope. We’ve got a few months to go but I don’t feel like anything is really clicking for me yet so very open to suggestions. (Also I may still be in shock that it’s a girl!)

OP posts:
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Passmethecrisps · 09/08/2018 15:20

I have a Penelope.

On my list for dd2 we had

Harriet
Henrietta
Felicity
Beatrice
Ophelia
Florence

PasstheStarmix · 09/08/2018 15:20

Beatrix is lovely too

fruitbrewhaha · 09/08/2018 15:31

I love Greek names. How about Calliope?
I know a Calypso, Aphrodite and Electra.

Marilis
Imogen
Verity
Tabitha
Marigold
Primrose

I'd steer clear of Chaos and Europe.

CaptainCucumber · 09/08/2018 17:08

Persephone is truly awful. Awful.
The female version of Horacio.

If you aren’t very posh (I.e own land, eton and have people in your family called ‘tiggy’ And ‘minty’) then I would judge you for being a hyancinth bucket type.

Bibesia · 09/08/2018 17:14

NEVER saddle a child with Persephone. Those that don't call her Percyphone will Judge you, and not in a good way.

Thesearmsofmine · 09/08/2018 17:20

I like Persephone, it seems to be a marmite name on here though!

For some reason the name that came to mind was Constance. I like the sound of Rufus, Felix and Connie all together.

MorvaanReed · 09/08/2018 17:25

Vivienne or Nimue if you fancy Arthurian.

TatianaLarina · 09/08/2018 17:48

If you aren’t very posh (I.e own land, eton and have people in your family called ‘tiggy’ And ‘minty’) then I would judge you for being a hyancinth bucket type.

Yeah you have to know your place on here. You can’t get above yourself with a name not appropriate to your precise social strata. Some names are only for the quality.

I find it fascinating that names associated with culture (in this case Greek mythology) are deemed ‘posh’. It’s a big confusion of education and class.

Original poster
TheCag · 09/08/2018 18:28

Well, I know a couple Persephones whose parents are hippies, so it’s not just for ‘eton types’ Hmm

OP posts:
CaptainCucumber · 09/08/2018 18:28

I’ve got three degrees from top 10 unis (different ones), though you probably can’t tell that from the grammar in my previous post (stupid phone!)

Calling your children Ancient Greek names isn’t ‘educted’, it’s pretentious. We aren’t ancient Greeks.

HTH

BoyInTheOven · 09/08/2018 18:34

Phoebe sounds nice with the other two ImO

CaptainCucumber · 09/08/2018 18:37

I’m also not sure that only posh names are associated with ‘culture’.

Calling your child ‘Khaleesi’ is giving it a culture based name, just not an elitist one that marks you out as a wannabe social climber.

Rufus, Felix and Anna ✅

BlueEyedPersephone · 09/08/2018 18:49

I of course think Persephone is gorgeous, seriously, choose a name that you and your partner are happy shouting in public ( across a playground for example) and you can see being a fit with the surname

EmmaC78 · 09/08/2018 18:58

Persephone is awful.what about Beatrice instead of Beatrix to avoid the ix ending.

Original poster
TheCag · 09/08/2018 19:25

So @captaincucumber you think Persephone is hilariously pretentious and we shouldn’t use it as we aren’t living in Ancient Greece.

Is Diana allowed or is that also pretentious as we aren’t Romans? How about Penelope? Phoebe? Where do you draw the line? Do names have to be white British to be acceptable?

If I was a wannabe social climber I’d pick Harriet or Charlotte, those are the sort of names the poshest people around here go for. As it is I want to pick a name we like with a nice meaning.

OP posts:
finallychangedmyusername · 09/08/2018 19:36

I like all your girls names OP aside from Penelope which I have an irrational hatred of (and I actually know a Penelope and she's lovely). All your girl names work well with your boys. I love Seffie as a nickname for Persephone - Not keen on Percy. Also, what about Sophronia?

CaptainCucumber · 09/08/2018 19:39

I mean, a quick google reports that the meaning of Persophone is unknown, but possibly related ‘to destroy’ or ‘murder’. She was abducted by the lord of the underworld.... actually, forget it. Go for it.

Bibesia · 09/08/2018 19:43

Self-evidently, Diana, Penelope and Phoebe are way more mainstream than Persephone. So, indeed, are Harriet and Charlotte. Persephone is right up there with Annunziata, Araminta, Boudicca and Calliope.

MerryMarigold · 09/08/2018 19:45

Frances
Constance (as per pp)
Sylvia (I think that's Roman, not googled)
But Diana is my favourite of all

AnyaMoondial · 09/08/2018 19:45

I suggest Agatha. Amazing name.

MikeUniformMike · 09/08/2018 19:53

I like the welsh spelling for Gaynor - Gaenor.
It's a welsh name from Guinevere or Gwenhwyfar.

angelichosts · 09/08/2018 19:56

Rufus, Felix and Stella

missmouse101 · 09/08/2018 19:56

Romilly, Rosalind, Linnet, Emerald?

TatianaLarina · 09/08/2018 20:02

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