Perdita?

[Orphlids]

I’m looking for a posh, educated person to tell me the correct pronunciation of the name Perdita. Is it PER-dit-ah, as they say in Disney’s 101 Damations, or is it Per-DEET-ah? I prefer the latter, but I admit I have no idea which is correct. How does it tend to be pronounced in performances of Winter’s Tale?

DriftingLeaves
Your logic would explain why a bully might choose to call their victim Perdita in order to 'subtly' abuse them, not why a girl named Perdita would attract teasing.

I would be more worried that they would find out it means "a discharge/secretion" tbh!!

@MrsDimmond Your logic is totally illogical. Unusual names attract teasing, in my experience. Your experience is different but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Not sure why you keep banging on. We are both speaking from different experiences.

Per deet a

Not a name I'd choose. I know one and she goes by perdy.

Consider that your DD might travel/work/live abroad during her lifetime and that name will sound ridiculous in very many countries (all of South America, Spain, Portugal, Italy etc.)

Not sure why you keep banging on. Same reason you have. It's a discussion

In your case it's a become avdisagreement. But do feel free to have the last word.

Ironic

It would be PerDEEta in Spanish (and also means the lost one).

Is it PERdita in latin? I can't get my head around the stress being on the first syllable.

It's PERdita in Italian.

I think unusual name teasing varies dramatically according to wear you live and what school you go to. Eg Perdita probs wouldn’t raise an eyebrow in a private school in north London, but oils where I grew up.

Well I'd think that regardless of the 'right' way to say it, most people would say per-deet-ah, so just think on whether you're happy to have that.

It's nice, though so heavily associated with 101 dalmatians and also its meaning that I probably wouldn't use it.

Also, wind your neck in.

I think it's one of the worse Shakespearian names.. as a Spanish speaker it sounds horrible (it's actually very similar to "little bitch" - perrita). Please don't.

I have a friend called Perdita. She pronouces it PUR-ditta. But invariably gets per- DEETA, which she hates. She normally shortens it to Purdi/Perdi to avoid the mispronouciation.

I think if you have a strong preference for one prouncation over the other then it may cause problems in the long run.

I think unusual name teasing varies dramatically according to wear you live and what school you go to. Eg Perdita probs wouldn’t raise an eyebrow in a private school in north London, but oils where I grew up

I went to a pretty rough comprehensive and the only name-based teasing I ever heard was stuff like, 'Colette, the best a man can get'. Based on my experience, I'd say name-teasing is generally pop-culture based and unpredictable so the Dalmatians would be unlikely to cause an issue for poor Perdy.

It really doesn't take much imagination to see what teenage girls can do with the name of a spotty bitch from Disney.

Perhaps you could stretch your imagination to a slightly better-read type of teenage girl, who might pursue their schoolmate Perdita with 'Exit, pursued by a bear' and references to a psychotically jealous father and a mother who is a statue that comes to life?

I love this name.

Sorry being cruel to be kind but "woof"!....?

I knew someone who named their baby, 'Antimony'; one of its meanings is 'poison'.

I do think people should look up meanings of names before saddling their child with something.

LOVE IT!!

Purr-ditta. I wouldn’t use it though because the meaning of the name is just depressing!

But @Rachelover60, lots of very commonly-used names have less-than- pleasant meanings — Amelia, Claudia.

@Heronry agreed! Cameron = crooked nose

Yes as PP say its 'Purr-ditta'. I love it, it's on my list. Go for it OP.

I’ve come back to respond to a few of you who left comments on this thread. It’s a general message to ask that in future, you pause before you make unpleasant, unkind and uncalled for remarks on threads such as this. All I asked for was the correct pronunciation of the name in question. Nothing more. But many of you have felt the need to offer unsolicited parenting advice and insults.

My baby died shortly after birth. She is our “lost one,” which, as many of you have mentioned, is the meaning of the name we chose. So no - she will not have to endure name-related teasing, or have people think her parents are pretentious, or have her name translate comically when she travels abroad. How I wish she could experience such trivial matters as part of life’s rich tapestry.

I came here for certainty of the pronunciation of her name, and some of you were so kind and have provided that. Thank you. But those of you who have said unkind things, you have added in some small way to my utter despair and all-consuming grief. Only now have I been able to find the strength to respond. I can hardly bear the thought of you knowing the fate of my darling girl, but I’m hoping that by telling you this, you may, in the future, reconsider before making unkind comments. You simply don’t know the damage for which you are responsible. @MMmomDD