Is Phoebe too 'wishy washy'?

[Palmatree]

I really love the the name Phoebe, but the more I say it in my head, the more 'wishy washy' it sounds - ideally I'd like something strong sounding, which suits both an adult and a child, and isn't massively popular. Also worried about the 'Friends' association (although she was probably the best character!) Any opinions welcome.

I love Phoebe. Phoebe or Penelope were my girl choice!

Phoebe looks lovely when written but sounds a bit weak and whiny imo. Tbh I'd say the same about Imogen though...and Phoebe has less potential for irritating nicknames.

What does whiny mean in this context?

You can say anything with a whiny voice.

Personally I'd consider most names ending in an ee sound to be somewhat whiny (Alfie, Millie, Lucy, Charlie,, Sophie etc). Phoebe has double ee, which is double the whininess for me.

I don’t think it’s wishy-washy but (and I’m so sorry if this causes offence to those on here with Phoebe’s) …but I’ve always thought it reminds me of nettles and bramble and cat pee. Don’t ask me why!

That’s rather an idiosyncratic approach.

It seems more accurate to say you don’t like names that end in ee.

I don’t like names that have ie added to them randomly as the current trend. Alfie, Freddie, Frankie, Teddy, Evie, Gracie etc.

But I don’t mind names that genuinely end in ie/y.

I like it, I think it has personality and energy. I imagine a really lively energetic girl who loves having fun. I think a lot of the very popular names are more wishy washy and there is nothing wrong with those. Phoebe sounds cool, never had it in my head as wishy washy at all.

I think it’s an OK name but I don’t like it. It sounds ugly to my ear. DD has a fabulous friend called Phoebe btw - a smart, confident, fab young woman.

I prefer Imogen and wonder if Daphne might be an option.

I do think it’s interesting that names that were quite out there when DD was born in 98: Phoebe, Imogen, Mathilda, Verity, Cicely, Edith seem all over MNet now. DD had 3 Imogens in her class at primary school and one each of all the others.

It seems more accurate to say you don’t like names that end in ee.

No, that would in fact be less precise/accurate. I dislike names ending in ee sounds as they're whiny to my ear. I also dislike plenty of other names that have no ee sounds, for various reasons.

I dislike names ending in ee sounds

Which is what I said. The whiny bit is by the by.

@TatianaBis

I dislike names ending in ee sounds

Which is what I said. The whiny bit is by the by.

And as I stated, it's less specific as it leaves out the reason why I dislike it. Therefore less accurate.

Done with this conversation now, enjoy your night

Lots of names ending in ee that aren’t whiney!

Penelope
Cicely
Persephone
Verity
Nathalie
Lizzie

Therefore less accurate.

To you. It’s so subjective as to be meaningless for everyone else.

I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure it's a biblical name (high pristess or prophet? I just can't remember).

it's a gorgeous name. I know 2 Phoebes and they are both lovely.
I considered it but it didn't work with our surname.

Love it it's my favourite girls name and I ended up with 2 boys lol

I don't like it, it sounds weak and written down it looks like a disease. Sorry.

Prefer Imogen but Phoebe also nice @Palmatree

@MuckyPlucky

I don’t think it’s wishy-washy but (and I’m so sorry if this causes offence to those on here with Phoebe’s) …but I’ve always thought it reminds me of nettles and bramble and cat pee. Don’t ask me why!

that's really funny @MuckyPlucky - I have words that remind me of random things, (and words that are colours, and feel like things) - I have synaesthesia I wonder if you do too!

@SionnachRua

It seems more accurate to say you don’t like names that end in ee.

No, that would in fact be less precise/accurate. I dislike names ending in ee sounds as they're whiny to my ear. I also dislike plenty of other names that have no ee sounds, for various reasons.

I feel the same @SionnachRua - to me strong "ee" sounds often have a whiny sound (so Phoebe has a double one). But it would be inaccurate to suggest I dislike all names ending in that sound - I quite like Sylvie, Rosalie, Coralie, Xanthe and Ianthe for instance.

Well no - She said:

I dislike names ending in ee sounds without qualification.

While you say you dislike some names ending in ee.

So, it's not the same.

I'm similar in that I dislike -ie stuck onto names, such as Evie, Alfie, Frankie, Gracie etc but I like some names that genuinely end in -ee Nancy, Polly, Romilly.

I’ve identified why it (unreasonably) makes me think of nettles and brambles and slightly unclean-ness:

The “fee-“ bit sounds like ‘flea’ and ‘wee’ to my ear,
The “bee” bit sounds like bees & wasps (both of which I’m allergic to).

So it subconscious reminds me of fleas, wee and stings.

I think it looks and sounds ugly.
I do like Imogen.

I like both Phoebe and Imogen and they have very similar vibes to me. Not wishy washy, but soft and pretty without being frilly.

@Classica

I like both Phoebe and Imogen and they have very similar vibes to me. Not wishy washy, but soft and pretty without being frilly.

This is what I think too, and I really can't decide! Only one week to go...

Good luck! I bet you'll know at first glance exactly what her name is