Bracing myself... Hero?

[Auxence]

For a girl. Tell me your honest thoughts please, I am bracing myself!

I think it’s really lovely (though I may just prefer Hiro mentioned by PP above, and may avoid some of the adverse reactions that others seem to think she’ll have ) - though I’ve got to say given some of the absolutely ridiculous names that children seem to be given (and I include in that bracket several that are frequently mentioned on here) I’m really surprised at the strength of reaction it’s having on your post!!

[quote QwertyGirly]@UpTheJunktion do you realise how poncy you sound?

...'but... people' (lol)[/quote]
Well the problem with the name is potentially people's response, isn't it?

Because they don't realise where it comes from. The posts on this thread demonstrate that.

Same as if you use an Irish name with Irish spelling in England you will get people not knowing.

Same as Nigerian kids' names that are unfamiliar and get sniggered about on MN.

It's OK to not know that Hero is Greek / Shakesperean, but it isn't 'poncy' to have knowledge.

'I'm not called Diana after the princess, I'm called Diana after the Roman goddess'. Ok

I can just see it. Don't you think it will sound just a tad pretentious for a mum to say ''She's called Hero after the Shakespearean character, not the TV show? It's not my fault if you are lacking the knowledge and missing the reference!!'

I think, "named after a Shakespeare heroine"
Would cover it to be honest.
I'm not sure other people's ignorance should ever be pandered to that much.

lakesidelifeHero isn't a heroine (ironically) though is she? Hero in Much Ado is a drippy, conventional, one dimensional, lovesick victim of circumstance - a sidekick at best.

Fortunately the OP says the Shakespearean character is just provenance, and her DD would not be named after the character.

I find it surprising that a few posters like it because they are Shakespeare fans - its almost as baffling as someone claiming to have named their child Jude or Tess because they're a Hardy fan! Surely the character is impossible to get past if the play or novel is firmly etched in your mind!

You are right, she isn't the best Shakespeare character ( women weren't really a strong point full stop I might suggest )

I much prefer the G Heyer character.

My comment was more about being able to highlight that Hero was a long standing female name simply and without sounding like an aggressive knob, which another poster seemed to be suggesting would have to happen.

lakesidelife there are strong women in Shakespeare - Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Beatrice in Much Ado, Cordelia in King Lear... Even Juliet is actually pretty strong for a teenaged girl in context...

@QwertyGirly

'I'm not called Diana after the princess, I'm called Diana after the Roman goddess'. Ok

I can just see it. Don't you think it will sound just a tad pretentious for a mum to say ''She's called Hero after the Shakespearean character, not the TV show? It's not my fault if you are lacking the knowledge and missing the reference!!'

She wouldn't be saying that would she.

What TV show?

I'd never assume a Diana was named after the princess. In fact I'd assume Roman goddess.

Diana the Princess had the name of a Roman goddess.

I love it but that's because I watched the Kenneth Branagh Much Ado film a million times as a teenager. I'm not sure the general public realise its Shakespearean origins. I'm not brave enough but would consider it as a middle name.

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme I've seen two different productions of Much Ado at the Globe since DD was born. Both (incredibly different productions) portrayed Hero as a strong character. It's a shame the 90s film didn't, but that's not what I was thinking of tbh when I named her.

I like it.

I love it but that's because I watched the Kenneth Branagh Much Ado film a million times as a teenager.
This is probably why I like it too!

I love it. Beautiful name.

@HeroIsAGreatName

I'm so glad to hear from someone who used it (and whose daughter loves her name!) It's fabulous, I'm glad you haven't had any problems with it in real life.

Thank you for all the comments! Lots to ponder here as ever, good old MN

I love it

Love it, considered it, didn't use it, wish I had....

@Auxence I am going to switch back to this
Username and pop up on every "hero" baby name thread 😁

You choose whatever name you want, but Hero would be a fabulous choice 😊