Would you name your daughter after a mythological creature, like a mermaid, fairy etc?

[Aconversation]

What do you think about this?

No, although Phoenix is quite a common name (scary Spice daughter).

In my opinion there is a big difference between ‘Tinkerbell’ and ‘Ariel’

It depends on the name but it wouldn't put me off of a name necessarily.

It depends on the name Ariel no, because it's a washing powder.
Other mythical names I wouldn't mind.

We named ours after a Greek goddess, so yes!

There are a few beautiful mythology inspired names that I have come across but when DD grows up, I don’t want her to think that we want her to live up to an unrealistic standard or beauty, intelligence, romantic love, magical powers etc (which is what most magical creatures have). Is it disempowering? Or am I overthinking it?

*of

I wouldn't, not out of pressuring her to meet some mythical standard, but because I wouldn't want to go through various country's myths in search of a name that is likely to be a marmite name for DC.

@Aconversation

There are a few beautiful mythology inspired names that I have come across but when DD grows up, I don’t want her to think that we want her to live up to an unrealistic standard or beauty, intelligence, romantic love, magical powers etc (which is what most magical creatures have). Is it disempowering? Or am I overthinking it?

You're overthinking. Think about most names, they are either from mythology, history or religion. Are you saying your child should be a brave queen or a saint? No, they're just names. Obviously, there are some that are too widely used to mean something so calling a child Venus or Adonis does make it sound like they should be very beautiful. If you call a child Mary they don't have to be a mother of God or a virginal saint. A man called Andrew does not have to be a fisher of men, etc. Victoria doesn't have to marry a king when she grows up.

I nearly called DD Morvoren (Cornish for mermaid) because I love sea swimming and did a lot when I was pregnant. As it is, her middle name is the name of a goddess, because it was the name of a childhood friend.

I mean it depends.. if you’re calling your child Aphrodite or Calypso then yeah the name is 100% associated with the mythical character. But if you’re thinking more like Helen (of Troy) then it’s not.

I would generally say you are over thinking it because all names have meanings, even bog standard ones, but there are exceptions of course.

Like pp, I agree it really depends on the name -for example ones like Freya, Iris, Thea, Aurora, Diana, Helen, Maia and Lara are now so well used that often people forget the mythological associations.

I think it may be slightly more difficult to get away from the myths for the boys names since they tend to be less popular in the UK - Thor, Orion, Apollo, Atlas etc.

But either way, I think you are overthinking it that using a mythological name will mean your child will think they have to live up to their standards - most people will assume you just liked the sound of the name.

Anastasia. Belle.Jasmine Ursula Aurora Leia Anna Elsa Marie. Ariel.
Yes.

Cinderella. Drizella. Tinkerbelle.
No.

Ariel is my cat.

Sebastian is my other cat.

🐈

Names of famous fairies, mermaids, goddesses then yes.
Actually naming a child Fairy or Mermaid, definitely not.
I wasn't really clear what you meant!

Something like Demeter, Athena, Artemis, Eirene, you could get away with.

Cymopoleia, Leucothea, Urania, Terpsichore - not so much.

Well not if it’s Neptuna, but generally fine - which were you thinking of?

On one hand, I agree you're overthinking it and ; on the other - I grew up with a mythological name and grew very tired of people who felt the need to discuss said myths with child-me as if the name meant I had some sort of innate interest in the topic (even more frustrating when an adult would go on about an entirely different mythological being and I just had to sit there through it). I ended up changing my name as adult.

I did something similar to the above suggestion of Helen - one of my DDs is named after what is believed to have been a real ancient queen but has many legends and miracles attached to her, but the name is also attached to so many other people that no one knows without telling them - so some people in our family know, but I've never said anything to anyone else about who I took inspiration from. I always sought out namesakes for my children, but I never wanted them to be so well attached to one person or mythological being that they'd get stuck with any one as I did as a kid.

Agree that it completely depends on the name. Some gods/goddesses names carry expectation - I wouldn’t want to be an ugly Apollo, Aphrodite or Venus. Nor would I want to name my child after any god/goddess/mythical being associated with evil or witchcraft.

I always thought Titania would be a great name. But it would of course get shortened to Tit so maybe not

It really depends on the name/associations/popularity etc

I wouldn't, no. But plenty of people do.

@WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo

I always thought Titania would be a great name. But it would of course get shortened to Tit so maybe not

That’s where the name Tania / Tanya comes from.

Everyday is a school day! I didn't know that @DiscoLightsOnAFridayNight. Although it seems kinda obvious

I would. There are some beautiful names. I love Athene.