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Baby names

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

Original poster

Hesper

34 replies

FartnissEverbeans · 07/12/2018 03:40

What does everyone think of Hesper?

I’ve always liked it but never considered actually using it. I like the sound of it - it seems soft to me, like the word ‘whisper’, and I like its meaning (it comes from the Greek word for ‘evening’. The Hesperides were nymphs in Greek mythology and Hesperus is the name of the evening star).

I’ve heard some people say it sounds witchy, which I can understand, or that they don’t like it because it has a hissy sound.

Thanks Grin

OP posts:
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MrsBosh · 07/12/2018 03:42

Never heard it. Is it generally given to boys or girls?

Not keen personally.

Rainatnight · 07/12/2018 03:57

When I saw it, my first thought was that someone has misspelled herpes. Sorry.

moredoll · 07/12/2018 04:03

I like it.

Icklepup · 07/12/2018 04:20

I think it's not nice

IHaveBrilloHair · 07/12/2018 04:30

It's a random word, not a name.

ReginaPhalange89 · 07/12/2018 04:36

Don't like it , doesn't sound like a name to me.

AdoreTheBeach · 07/12/2018 04:38

So, googled it. Ancient Greek from Hesperus for Venus observes as an evening star.

When I say it out loud, sounds like a witches name. Sorry

Astronica · 07/12/2018 05:00

I think it's really interesting and though I feel only the very bold would use it now, I think it may grow in popularity some time. I would consider using it now as a middle name, eg Adelaide Hesper.

I also think Hester and Vesper are interesting and may be used more in the future.

Original poster
FartnissEverbeans · 07/12/2018 05:18

It's a random word, not a name.

Never heard it used as anything but a name before.

Herpes is a good point! Grin I always think of unfortunate anagrams when I see the name Lana... oddly enough I don’t do the same with Alan...!

I quite like Hester and I actually taught a teenaged one years ago.

OP posts:
TheMagician · 07/12/2018 06:08

Sounds waspish.
Dont like

Escolar · 07/12/2018 06:11

I know someone with Hesper as a middle name. She’s in her 40s. I’m not sure about it myself.

celeryeater · 07/12/2018 06:11

I like it.

crumble82 · 07/12/2018 06:11

I don’t like it, but another vote for Hester which I’ve always liked.

flumpybear · 07/12/2018 06:21

It's unusual, however Vespa is a bike, also Spanish/Italian for wasp so just be wary of cruel kids 'hespa the vespa' blah blah .... you know what kids can be like!

ThanksItHasPockets · 07/12/2018 07:01

I think it would be frequently misheard as Hester, which I also like a lot.

daisypond · 07/12/2018 07:58

I like it a lot. I like Hester as well. Hesper is a real name!

babysharkah · 07/12/2018 08:02

Much prefer Hester

AliCanTea · 07/12/2018 08:11

Really like it. We're considering Hestia as neither Hesper nor Hester goes with the surname.

Phebes · 07/12/2018 08:17

I like it and Hester

LordPickle · 07/12/2018 08:19

I would pity a child saddled with the name Hesper. It doesn't sound nice at all.

ernjas · 07/12/2018 08:30

It's okay, I prefer Hester.

Original poster
FartnissEverbeans · 07/12/2018 09:57

We're considering Hestia

Hestia is an awesome name, I love it

OP posts:
halcyondays · 07/12/2018 10:04

Never heard of this, people will probably confuse it with Hester which I'm not that keen on either.

Richlyfruited · 07/12/2018 22:18

Love it! I know a Hesper and have always thought it was a gorgeous name.

Hashbrownsandbeans · 07/12/2018 23:43

No. Reminds me of a snake?