Regret my daughter’s name Phoebe

[LondonAnnie]

Does anyone else regret the name you choose for your child?

My daughter’s Phoebe and I worry that other people might not like it ( didn’t realize it’s a marmite name ) that it’s too hard to spell ( we get Pheobe already didn’t think it would annoy me but it does ) or that she’ll get teased and be called Beefy ( didn’t think about that as a potential nickname when I choose her name ) or something else that’s mean .

Unfortunately it’s too late to change it now. She’s nearly 3. Other mums with a Phoebe, are you happy with that name?

Happy for any support !🙂 Thanks !

Love the name. but I'm biased since I have a Phoebe
Not heard of 'beefy ' for a nickname.
Pheebs or bibi but never beefy

There's many names around people wouldn't chose themselves, but that's the point you have a choice. Phoebe is a lovely name. My MIL obviously wasn't sure about what we called out DD, as she said a few years after I like her name now I've got used to it (a very well known name).

I work in a school and to my knowledge the three girls I know with that name (a large school have never been teased about their names).

With regard to spelling, I've had my name spelt three ways over the years, despite there being a famous actress by the same name.

that she’ll get teased and be called Beefy ( didn’t think about that as a potential nickname when I choose her name )
Eh? I know a few teenage girls with that name and that has never come up.
It doesn't even rhyme or make sense.

It's a nice name. I'd think of friends or Waller-Bridge. Never heard of anyone with that name being called beefy.

I think double vowel names can be hard to spell though, I Michael is the one I struggle with, but that's just me

I know a Phoebe. Always gets Phoebe or ‘Feebs.’ It’s lovely. Not phonetic / easy for little ones but most adults I’d expect to know how to spell it.

It's a really nice name - I only know one Phoebe, adult mind you.

However if you really don't like her name then you can change it to her middle name (know 2 people who did that with their DDs, used middle names).

I think Phoebe is quite middle of the road and not a ‘marmite’ name at all. Whatever you choose someone won’t like it, some people will take delight in making horrible comments. Personally I like it, but it will also remind me of Phoebe from friends as it was rarely used in this country before then. That’s not a bad thing though, there’s no awful connotations as opposed to some e.g. I love the name Myra but just couldn’t see past the connection

Pretty name!

I've never heard 'beefy' as a nickname!

'Bee' might be ok if nickname was needed but 'Pheebs' is more likely to be used.

Well, unlike everyone else apparently it's not a name I'd ever give a child of mine as I really don't like it, but as she's three, it's a bit late (or a bit early, as it would confuse her). If she hates it later she can change it herself of course - I know plenty who have, from various given names.

It's lovely OP. Friend's little girl had a Peebee in her nursery, but little children often struggle with some sounds.

I don’t have a Phoebe but I think it’s a lovely name, not hard to spell (it’s much easier that there is only one way to spell it compared to say Catherine, Amy, Sophia etc) and I think beefy is a real stretch!

I am a real name fusspot and I really like Phoebe.

Very pretty, classic but not old fashioned, not tied to any era/class/character, everyone can say it (even if you get the odd spelling issue).

Yes not everyone is going to like it but that's the case for every name on the planet!

It's a lovely choice of name. Fee is also a good short form for child or adult - it's friendly.

I don't have a Phoebe but think it's a lovely name. I really don't get the beefy thing and it's really not hard to spell. Naming is so subjective that I'd say most names are marmite and it's better to be marmite than dull and forgettable. Honestly Op you are over thinking this.

I like Bee or Bibi as a nickname.❤️

It’s not a marmite name, it’s just a name like any other - some people will love it, some won’t. And that’s okay. I don’t think there’s any name in the whole world that’s universally loved.

It’s not a stupid, ‘younique’, made up or misspelt name, so you’re perfectly okay. Is there maybe something else you’re actually worried or sad about and this concern is how it’s manifesting?

I'm not keen on it myself but have taught a few Phoebes and never had other children make fun of it or make up weird nicknames based on it. So if you like it I wouldn't worry about it.

I don’t think phoebe is a marmite name. Of course some people won’t like it but that is true for any name. I like the name!

I've had a Phoebe for several decades and never heard beefy! She suits it beautifully.

Kids find a nickname for every name
Mine was I own a pony
Because I was fat and my name is Iona

It's a beautiful name. Lovely for a little girl and not silly for an adult.

I know a little Pheobe as well, she's adorable but the misspelling makes me wince a bit. As a teacher I also came across a Rubeun and a Charlot.

Lovely name

It’s a lovely name and one which we very possibly would’ve chosen when we had our babies, both were boys though so we were unable to use it.

I have to say I think it's a lovely name, it's simple and elegant and in my mind sounds quite posh!

I hear what you're saying about the name regret though. Unfortunately I had the same with my son, though thanks to the pandemic I am getting over this (I think as a result of not going out and interacting with people and strangers much!).

It wasn't a name I chose myself but it was one that was important to my partner so I decided to go along with it though I actually disliked the name (very old fashioned and not in a good way!!). I also had some really crappy comments after my son was born from strangers which were said in jest but actually really hurt me and I started overthinking things. I actually didn't want to write his name on SM after he was born (and didn't) which looking back now is really sad.

Thing is with names they come in and out of fashion and they mean different things to different people. I haven't had any negative thoughts about the name for a while, perhaps thanks to the pandemic and social isolation on one hand but also because my son is now older and I feel that he is really growing into his name, and I love hearing his sibling say his name too. I think the best thing to do for us both going forward is to accept the name and see it as an extension of our daughter / son rather than associate it with what some randos think of it. What I have found nice is also to associate it with cool people from history or contemporary society that I admire. Hope that helps!

Don’t get the Beefy link. Wouldn ‘t have thought Phoebe is a common enough name to have a particularly weird nickname linked to it.

I don't usually come on baby names as my children are now grown ups, but this thread has appeared near the top of Active. One of mine is a Phoebe. If it's shortened or nicknamed, it's usually Feebs, Feef or Feefee, she's never reported Beefy! She actually spent her first two weeks as something else which became her middle name when we finally did the birth certificate, that name was a perfectly nice name but just wasn't 'hers', whereas her sister fitted her name perfectly from the beginning.

I have never considered Phoebe/Beefy, but it's just reversing the syllables, isn't it? Fee-bee; bee-fee. I've never heard anyone do that, though, and I think Phoebe is a lovely name.