Hecate for a baby girl?

[BuddingBaker]

Hecate (pronounced hek-ah-tee). In Greek mythology Hecate was a goddess associated with witchcraft, crossroads, tombs, demons and the underworld.

Bit of an unusual name but my partner really likes it and I think it sounds nice. What do you think?

If you hadn't noted the correct pronunciation I wouldn't have had a clue how to say it. I think, although it's a nice enough name, your little one would forever be referred to a hundred different ways and be constantly correcting people which could get frustrating for her x

Read Macbeth.....

Yeah. Macbeth.
I wouldn’t.

Well it's a hefty name with not very nice associations attached to it. Why would you saddle your dd with it?
It's a no from me.

No-one will pronounce it properly.

Plus most people who know what it means will assume you are weird. Disappointing as she was a protective goddess but modern books of Greek mythology basically just have her down as a witch.

I like it but think it is probably unusable because of Macbeth.

Macbeth. Also, to me it screams “names i wanted when i was a 13 year old goth, along with Raven, Winter and Nixie”.
Basically, i think the “if you want to saddle your child with a yoonique name, try living with it yourself for 6 months first” rule should apply here. Try living as Hecate and see the reactions you get, from mispronunciations/ misspellings to judgements (like mine above). Sorry

No. Apart from the negative Macbeth association, it’s a very ugly name.

I dont think she would thank you for that when was older. Many wont know how to say it, hard to abbreviate and dubious meaning unless she is witchy .

Very goth. And everyone will pronounce it as heh-kate. I'd look for another one if I were you.

There used to be a mumsnetter with this name a few years ago she posted a lot.
I doubt most people would pronounce it correctly .

awful

I like it but the association with witchcraft is pretty strong. Maybe use it for a middle name?

Nn - Hec?
I wouldn't, although I agree the full name is pretty.

No, I'm pagan and would find that incredibly insulting. Hecate is one of our most powerful and respected goddesses. Also good luck with Hecate taking your child over - as Terry Pratchett would say, May you have interesting times". She will not be your daughter for very long.

I think the connotations are too unpleasant.

may you live in ffs

I don't like the name, it's a witch.
But madcatladyforever's response is completely insane!

Macbeth seems to be the go to Shakespeare in schools. So everyone in her class will know it's a witch's name if they didn't before.

And what would it be shortened to? Hec / heck?

Is your dh winding you up?

Please tell me you have an unusual surname. Hecate Smith ....

”No, I'm pagan and would find that incredibly insulting. Hecate is one of our most powerful and respected goddesses“

Why would naming a child after a respected goddess be incredibly insulting?

The Druid in the Ruth Galloway series calls Ruth’s daughter Hecate. Her real name is Kate though.
And the pronunciation issue would be the same for lots of Greek derived names - Persephone, Hermione, Hebe, Phoebe. I wouldn’t let that stop you. That’s not to say I personally would use the name, probably the witch issue.

No. Like calling your kid Persephone. Or Ophelia. Some names need to be left to their own contextual connotations.

I havent seen or read macbeth though so didnt realise the connection there. That being said, the origin of the name will in no way define who my daughter is so it doesnt bother me that much.

I do like the way it sounds when you say it, and my partner and I are keen on Greek names. It can be shortened to 'Kitty' or 'Katie' quite easily and I think people will always struggle to spell or say a name they aren't used to - my first daughter has a fairly easy to say name but it's not common so a lot of people struggle at first

Also, my partner is a pagan and really likes the name, although I originally came across it through its Greek origin. I don't see how she would not be my daughter for long.

Her surname would be Beese (pronounced bees) which people constantly struggle to say

Really? Hecate Bees?! Poor child, you can’t be serious 🙄🤣

You definitely need a name that means ‘Queen’ then!