Clemency

[Flutterflybutterby]

Thought on Clemency?

I posted asking about Joy and Mercy and this was suggested. (I am making a new thread because usually when I decide to ask about a new name mid-thread my comment is missed and posters only comment on the name in the OP, and I'm suddenly obsessed with hearing people's opinions about Clemency, as I feel sure I either adore it or despise it but I can't work out which ).

Joy is a beautiful name.

Clem locally to me is slang for... something. Can't recall what. Urban dictionary says testicles but I thought it was something else, not necessarily a body part, but it's a long time since I heard it used. Anyway, it's a no from me.

I remembered! It means stone. As in the unit of measurement. Usually used when talking about something hefty, never heard of a delicate light item being described as "barely a clem".

Dreadful. Clemence is better, pronounced in a French way. I had a good friend and neighbour called Clement who was known as 'Clem' but he is long since deceased and was a lot older anyway.

If you like that sort of name, why not Constance or Felicity? They are charming and classic, can be shortened in a nice way. Grace is good too.

Why not Bethany then? Sounds similar and is also biblical.

I know, it's gorgeous isn't it! I'm just worried it's a bit popular, and she might be one of 5 "If-Christ-hadn't-died-for-thee-thou-would-be-damned"s in her class.

Really dislike Clemency, it sticks in my throat also dislike the shortening of Clemmie, as I just think flemmy or clammy.

Much prefer Joy. Faith is lovely too, not too keen on Hope or Mercy.
How about Verity?

@JustSmallFry

Why not Bethany then? Sounds similar and is also biblical.

Funny you say that, the clemency I know has a sister Bethany

I really like Serenity

Death row.

No.

Not a fan of Clementine either, it just makes me think of posh InstaMums!

I quite like Mercy as name, but again, I feel like the connotations are a bit strange so wouldn't choose it.

I like Bethany and Constance (Connie).

Makes me think of Clemency Burton-Hill and her exquisite voice on Radio 3. I miss her programme.

I also thought death row. And rightly or wrongly clem makes me think of a fanny

Listen to Clemency Burton Hill talking about how much she struggles with her name on Elizabeth Day How to Fail podcast

Didn’t she talk about the problem of having a name (first name and double barrelled surname) that sounded posh when she isn’t? She didn’t say it was a bad name as I recall (it’s a few weeks since I listened).

How about Temperance?

I think you have to be very careful with virtue names. I worked with a Joy who was one of the most miserable people I have ever met. Similarly, if I had been called Grace it would have been a big misnomer. Walks Like A Carthorse would have been more appropriate.

Yes it was the combination, but I think she talked about having a ‘ posh’ first name too?
As a word it’s pretty sounding I think, but actually too connected with the death penalty for me. I think I don’t like those moral names. Except Hope, which is straightforward and positive sounding.

Prudence is nice

@PrimroseBed

Didn’t she talk about the problem of having a name (first name and double barrelled surname) that sounded posh when she isn’t? She didn’t say it was a bad name as I recall (it’s a few weeks since I listened).

I really like Clemency Burton-Hill and think her approach to her recovery since her brain haemorrhage has been inspirational but she has a slightly posh name because she is posh! St Paul’s Girls’ - Westminster - Magdalene.

Serena is nice.

@WitchWithoutChips Absolutely but she was adamant that she wasn't!

@PreparationPreparationPrep

I prefer Clemencia in full - I'm not keen on Clemency and have not heard orbited as a name which is a different meaning.

Yes, it gets rid of those pesky death row associations. Also Clementina. It’s a nice name at root OP it’s just the death thing. Constance / Constancia?

My first thought was - I wonder if they'd have a brother called Leniency......well he'd be Len for short so it could work.

It sounds very pretentious and try hard.

Love Clemency. Go for it.