English/Greek girls names shortlist

[BackToSquareOneSigh]

I posted about a few days ago about names to go with Stephanopolou - all the posters were really helpful, and with your help we've formed our first shortlist!

We've sorted them into three groups: English names, Greek names and names that are both English and Greek.

If we go for an English first name we will use a Greek middle name - probably Eirini as we both love this name and think really vowelly names go well with the surname! And vice versa - if we choose a Greek first name we'll go for an English middle name, probably Madeleine/Caroline/Matilda.

If we choose one of the neutral English/Greek names, we're not sure what we'll go with for the middle name.

So, our shortlist is:
NEUTRAL: Zoe, Lydia, Thalia, Thea

• middle name: Eirini/Madeleine/Caroline

ENGLISH: Freya, Matilda, Tabitha

• middle name: Eirini

GREEK: Eirini, Athena, Antigone
middle name combos:

• Eirini Matilda/Madeleine
• Athena Madeleine/Caroline
• Antigone Rose (given Antigone is 4 syllables and our surname is 5, I think it would have to be paired with a one syllable middle name!)

(Athena and Antigone were mentioned on the other thread - hadn't considered them before but really love them both and dh is open to the idea)

We're now really struggling to cut this down so any help would be hugely appreciated!

I like:
Tabitha Eirini
Eirini Matilda

Also quite like:
Athena Caroline
Antigone Rose

They're all lovely names BTW!

Eirini is lovely.

If I'd stayed with my Greek ex, a DD would have been Asimina or Chrysoula (totally guessing spelling). They could be equivalent to Pauline and Brenda for all I know, but they sound beautiful.

Thalia Madeleine S.
Zoe Caroline S.
Lydia Caroline S.
Athena Madeleine S.
Eirini Madeleine S.
Antigone Thea S.

Athena Rose, without a doubt.

Not crazy about the English names.

Are you pronouncing it Ath-EE-nah or ATH-en-ah (Greek pronunciation) and will you mind when people say it the English way?

I like the neutral names best and I like Zoe the most of that list because of its greek meaning.

We're English but my dd is going to Greek school. Both my dc have names of greek origin which sound English. I am really pleased I did that.

I have a friend who gave her dc very greek names and they go to English school and she regrets it.

The greek names are beautiful, I like Antigone the best.

I know a few Antigoni’s - they all hate it & have shortened their names.

I have a very Greek name and absolutely loathe it. I wish I’d changed it years ago but I didn’t want to upset my parents. I understand why my parents did it - naming after grandparent- but I think it’s quite cruel. Choose a more neutral name. Especially with your surname. Your poor dc will be forever spelling both names.

If you want Eirini at least register your child with the neutral Irene.

Eirini Matilda (and definitely NOT Irene!)

Irene is the English version of Eirini. My cousins spell it Irini. All called various different names - eg Rene, Ren, Rena. Not one refers to herself as Irini.

Antigoni- they call themselves Andi, Tiggi, Tig, - none of them use their full names.

Obviously can’t give you my name as would totally out me. But I hate the long & short version!

You can tell me & my cousins are quite bitter about it

I luge Zoe Athena.

I also like Zoe Athena . She's probably a bit young yet for luging.

I adore the sound of Antigone Rose, it's beautiful!

Athena Madeleine ❤️❤️❤️

I love Antigone

How about Eleni or Ariadne?

Anthe?

Athena rose.

Love Eleni, I friend of mine has just named her daughter this and so many people commented on how beautiful it was.

Thea Eirini

Matilda Eirini

Athena Caroline (or Rose)

I like
Lydia Madeleine
Matilda Eirini
Athena Madeleine

Athena Rose would be my choice. Everyone can pronounce it!

I don't like Antigone..to be it sounds like a the scientific name of a creature

I'm not a massive fan of Athena but Zoe Athena is a stunning combination.

Zoe Athena
Or
Eirini Madeleine

Athena is 100% my choice
Antigone is nice but it’s way too much with the long surname

I really like Eirini too but she would spend her whole life spelling first & last names and everything being mispronounced... simply for that reason I wouldn’t do it.

Eirini is lovely - Eirini Matilda would be my choice out of all your options. I also second the suggestion of Eleni.

I know someone with a dog called Hecuba... (this is the trouble with us classics graduates...)

Sorry I missed your last thread, so ignore if I’m duplicating comments. Antigone was walled up alive in a cave to die so I’d steer clear personally. I prefer her sister’s name, Ismene - not so much negativity around it and it goes with your surname. Also suitable for English shortenings like Izzy/Issy/Issa/Minnie. I like Andromache - although her story ended badly, her character and strength are fantastic and it’s what she’s better known for. I went to uni with an Athena, an Aphrodite and an Ismini who were all English/Greek.