Baby sister name to go best with Iris

[Neednameadviceplease]

Options are

1. Athena
2. Phoebe
3. Daphne

I like the fact that Iris is known but not overly popular. I am keen to hit the same mark and pick the one that is classy and ethereal, just as Iris is.

Pros/cons for each.

Phoebe - I feel it hits the same sort of timeless mark but is very popular so perhaps not
Athena - less popular but maybe slightly try-hard in a way that Iris is not.
Daphne - not popular and more timeless but not as “pretty” as the others?

Essentially want the one that hits the closest “tone” to Iris as I feel I really got it right with her name. OH really keen on Athena so if that fits the bill then ideal! V grateful for advice.

Daphne is by the nicest name, it’s actually on my shortlist too. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to get popular over the next few years though. I’ve seen a couple recently online and Bridgerton on Netflix might increase its popularity.

Def keen on something that fits both Iris and Theo but my main thing is for it strike the same vibe as Iris as sisters as think Theo more versatile and matches with almost all names! I do love Phoebe but agree it’s very popular. My OH thinks Athena is the best as both goddesses but I am worried it is more try hard like Selene, Artemis, Aurelia, Xanthe etc. I love the elegance of Iris and want to replicate it.

Has someone suggested Penelope already? Persephone? Rhea?

I think if you love a name then don't let the perception that it's try hard put you off. And reflecting further, if you are Greek then it's not really try hard, it's just reflecting your cultural heritage.

Io / Violet? I’m not keen on Violet but the Greek form of Io is good.

Daphne

Helen/ Helena /Elena - can’t get more Greek than that.

I wouldn’t mind going for try hard if it also spoke to an elegance - what do you think when you hear Athena?

I think Athena goes best

Love Athena and think it goes with your other names without being matchy

Of the 3 choices, definitely Athena - it has a more ethereal, elegant vibe (if that's what you want) than either Daphne or Phoebe which have a quirky, cute feel to me.

Athena is much more unusual in the UK than Iris (although it's still a well known name). If you wanted something to "match" perfectly with Iris I would go with something like Cora or maybe Sybil (both pretty and Greek origin but with the retro/vintage vibe that Iris also has in the UK).

@Neednameadviceplease

I wouldn’t mind going for try hard if it also spoke to an elegance - what do you think when you hear Athena?

Iris and Athena don’t sound like a sib-set at all. Daphne does go well but not Phoebe

Is Theo your name if it’s a boy?

Also like

Iris and Ruth
Iris and Eugenie
Iris and Constance
Iris and Genevieve
Iris and Diana

Athena.

It is not matchy matchy but goes nicely. Also being Greek they will be able to pull it off.

I am a bit when people name their babies something left field - like giving them an Irish name when no connection to Ireland (but that’s just me, I’m sure lots of people will diagree)

Athena says strong, warrior goddess to me.

I struggle to say Athena and Theo together, especially in quick succession, which I'm sure you will have to do with your kid's names on a daily basis. There's also a risk that the A in Athena will get dropped by people (especially kids) so they will become Thena and Theo (and Iris of course ).

I've not read the full thread but have you considered Evangeline?

Athena is gorgeous and surely not "try hard" with Greek heritage, but if you want names like Iris that are more well used internationally than Athena:

Another option could be Lara (nymph in Greek mythology, but also Russian shortening of Larissa) - Lara is well used internationally with an a classy elegant feel that works with Iris.

I also second pp suggestion of the sophisticated sounding Thalia (muse in Greek mythology) - like Iris it's well used outside Greece (in part thanks to the similar Hebrew Talia/or as a shortening of Natalia).

The problem with Athena is that it isn’t ethereal, nor, to British ears, particularly classy. The poster chain might have something to do with that, but otherwise it too unusual to be called classy.

Athenia is nice

It's ethereal and classy to my ears.
It is more elegant than Daphne. Daphne is more vintage and cool, a bit of a throw back name.
Athena is quite unusual in Britain, it isn't really associated with any class or era I don't think.

@Neednameadviceplease

I wouldn’t mind going for try hard if it also spoke to an elegance - what do you think when you hear Athena?

Posters!

Daphne goes really well with Iris.
Don't like Theo with Athena

Both Phoebe and Daphne are nice and work with the sibling names.

@Porridgeoat

Delphine

Yes this goes great! And it’s pretty. Daphne otherwise, I suspect it may be about to become a lot more popular though