Ophelia - Does this sound wrong?

[jemimafuddleduck]

We love alliterative names and our surname begins with O - similar to O'Malley.

I love the name Ophelia but not sure about the 'a' ending rolling into the 'o' of the surname.

If you say it out loud does it become Ophelia Romalley? Or am I overthinking?

DH thinks it's fine but I'm not sure and could do with a second opinion.

Well, I imagine most people will shorten it to something like Ophie anyway..

The Ophelia I know has no nickname

A bit of a mouth full but ok I think

I would worry about it sounding like ‘I feel ya’. Could be unfortunate with certain surnames

It's fine. A bit of a tongue twister but not excessively so. Initials OO.

I think it’s not great - so sorry op. I think first name and surname don’t go. I think Ophelia is a bit iffy anyway and people may say ‘ooh’ your initials are ‘ooh’?

I would also be put off by Ophelia’s tragic death in Hamlet.

What about one of the following instead?

Aurelia
Camellia
Delia
Adela

It’s fine I think, but a bit of a mouthful

What about Cordelia? She’s a spunkier Shakespearean heroine.

I love the name Ophelia but to be honest it is a tiny bit of a mouthful when also paired with a long multisyllable surname (and one that also starts with the same "Oh" sound.) Having said that, as long as your real surname doesn't sound like or rhyme with something rude (because of the "I feel ya" thing), I'd still go for it - Ophelia is so pretty, and alliterative names are nice and memorable.

I think they sound brilliant together!

Prefer Aurelia.

Cordelia is lovely @partyatthepalace

It hasn't done the Irish journalist Olivia O'Leary any harm. I say go for it.

I think it sounds lovely together.

Also the Ophelia that I know (4 years old) goes by nickname Leah which is nice and would work well with your surname too x

Thanks all. So the general consensus is, despite it being a bit of a mouthful, it sounds ok (or nice!).

Will think on it...

I know an Ofelia, lovely woman. I really like it.

I had a hamster called Ophelia 😂

Erm...
Can't help thinking of a cartoon character my comedian friend created once when I hear the name Ophelia.
The name was Ophelia Tits!
As in 'I want Ophelia Tits' . The folk you associate with may not have such a childish sense of humour as my pals

It will sound like 'Oh feel yer 'ome alley'

I have an Ophelia, she gets shortened to Fi or Fifi.

Love the name I wouldn't worry if it goes with the surname or not I dont think my name suits my surname but it's just one of them things

I like the name and don't understand the 'I feel ya' comments - it doesn't sound anything like that when I say it. For a start it begins with "Oh"! If you like it then use it and I wouldn't worry too much about the surname issue.

Can’t get past the tragic mad girl in Hamlet - a nutty unfortunate name.

I don't know how often people will say her name in full along with her surname, but first names that end with an a/'uh' sound and go before a surname starting with a vowel ALWAYS get an extra 'r' inserted in the middle e.g. Pamela Randerson, Laura Revans, Emma RO'Brien. Personally, I think it sounds a bit unpleasant and imprecise, but that's just me - I'm sure others wouldn't see an issue.

Also, as PPs have said, it's one of those names (like Iona) that is far more likely to end up sounding amusing/rude if she marries and wants to take her DH's name. Even a relatively common surname like Johnson, Cox or Payne will make people snigger when they meet her.

Long before she ever might want to get married (let alone if she'd want to change her name or not), lots of people will find it 'hilarious' and believe they are quite the first to think to make jokes like "Wouldn't it be funny if you grow up and marry a man with the surname Balls!!", "You should marry [our geography teacher] Mr Willey when you're older!!" etc. etc.

Personally, I wouldn't.

It's a beautiful name OP

People usually use both the first name and surname.
I think of my friends and acquaintances by both even if the first name is fairly unusual.