names that have stopped you in your tracks

[bitsybutter]

The other day I read about a girl called Nerys and it was the first time I saw this name thought it was so beautiful.

I also worked with children and one was called Keziah, I just remember writing it down because I thought it was so pretty.

Has anyone else got any names that when they heard them for the first time they made a note to remember them?

I met someone called Isis which I thought was an asolutely beautiful name although sadly not one that has aged well.

I know an Isis. A beautiful name, a river goddess I think.

A little boy called Santiago. I was initially a bit sceptical, but I love it and its shortening, Tiago.

The Spanish boy's name Inigo. Just gorgeous. Italian name Leonardo.

Demetrius. I think it's beautiful but I'm not cool enough to use it unfortunately

@kittenpeak I know an 85 year old Demetrius. He's nice but not cool.

I know a guy called Nathaniel Jedidiah and it's always struck me as a very commanding name.

I've always loved Ptolemy, Aengus, Eilidh, Mhairi and Cunnethryth (lord knows why in the last case!).

DH has vetoed them all.

We had an agreed hypothetical boy's name (his dad's first name) but then someone we know with the English version of the first name turned into an arsehole. DH has banned Irish names as he doesn't want to have to listen to them being mispronounced (we live in England), so won't revert to his dad's actual Padraig, and neither of us are remotely as fond of Patrick now (I always preferred Padraig).

I might start angling for Ptolemy again...

Vinca

We have Vinca growing in our garden and the flowers are a beautiful blue. When I heard it as a name I thought it was the perfect name - a pretty flower name, unusual but easy to spell and pronounce.

An old work contact was called Emiko - such a cool name

Colleague has recently had a baby daughter whom she has named Juniper. Not come across it before - so pretty!

@Farkinell

Wonders if it's Doncaster?

Really wondering about the place of conception name! Perhaps it's more specific; Downa Alley or something

Someone mentioned storm on the first page! That’s on our list for a girl 🥰

I love all these unusual names ❤️

I loved the name Allegra. Didn't have the guts to use it though.

A girl at my primary school was called October.

@janethorne - there is a French book with a beautiful heroine called Vinca, Le Ble en Herbe, I always loved it too but it might work better in French ('Vanka'), maybe?

75% of my dc's first names are on this thread!

Little boy at the GP surgery called Garfield. Didn’t know what to make of it when his Mum was telling him to stop messing about.

Yes 2 girls names:

Amity and Merryn

I don't necessarily love the names, I didn't remember them for that reason, they just really struck me when I heard them and thought they were so different and beautiful in a way.

Great thread OP!

Also looked after a baby Tequila once. Was a very sad story and I'll never forget her.

Paisley for a boy and Beau for a girl surprised me.

I love Priya, but different culture and wouldn't have worked with my surname.

Anastasia and Gobnait stopped me in my tracks but not in a good way.

Here are a few (this is my fav thread ever by the way)

-Melisande. It is an old English/French name. Impossible to use really, more one to sort of dream about
-Ondine. My friend has an Ondine, it's really lovely and evocative.
-Nerissa - knew a really fun one once
-Perdita - so romantic and Shakespearian, but might be a stretch to use
-Danae - I had a lovely client called Danae, I think it's great
-Sheherazade. There was a girl at my school years ago, I mean it's so cool...
-Thisbe. I came across this on a nursery hanger on a nursery I visited. Kinda quirky!
-Ione. A friend's girlfriend. They pronounced Ione (not with 'ee' sound on the end) but I prefer with an 'ee' sound at the end
-Ianthe - also really romantic

Boys - Inigo, I know of an architect's kid called this, after Inigo Jones. I absolutely love it
-Orlando. I mean it's just romantic and lovely for a beautiful boy isnt it
-Anselm - old English
-Ambrose - same
-Aubrey - an old cousin of mine, cool name

My A level French teacher's sister is called Jocasta. His name is John so it's not like the parents were into wacky names.