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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Honest thoughts on Phoebe

76 replies

OffToButtonM00n · 10/02/2022 09:19

Strong contender for DD, however, I’ve recently been having some reservations as although it gets a lot of love on name forums, I’ve had quite a few crinkled noses IRL when ‘road testing’.

  1. Will it forever have the ‘kooky’ Friends association attached to it?
  1. There are a few cruel nicknames I can think of which worry me slightly like Pee-bee, Fleabee, Feeble and Phoebe-jeebies.
  1. Does it travel well if she wanted to live or study abroad?

Any Phoebe mums out there that can reassure me?! I do love it but just having a wobble.

OP posts:
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Toodleloodle · 10/02/2022 13:57

I love it. I have one, she's 7 months. It definitely gets misspelt, but not that often. We find ourselves calling her feebles or feebly Phoebe, which obvs isn't great! It's difficult to shorten to something nice, so hoping she'll just be known by her full name.

Fundays12 · 10/02/2022 14:01

I like it and don't associate it with Friends at all.

CharlieBoo · 10/02/2022 15:55

I find it a bit dull and boring if I’m honest.. I wouldn’t worry about the friends thing though x

TatianaBis · 10/02/2022 17:12

@CharlieBoo

I find it a bit dull and boring if I’m honest.. I wouldn’t worry about the friends thing though x
More boring than Charlie?
Jellycatrabbit · 10/02/2022 17:18

I know a couple and love it, classic name. Suits all ages and I don't think the Friends thing is a problem because it is generally quite a well known name.

I also know a Pheobe. Less keen on that one!

DogsAndGin · 10/02/2022 17:21

Love it

TatianaBis · 10/02/2022 17:29

I also know a Pheobe. Less keen on that one!

Does she pronounce it Feeoby or Feeobe?

PatchworkElmer · 10/02/2022 17:30

I think it’s a lovely classic name. Well known enough that it’s not ‘out there’, but also more unusual than a lot of other names doing the rounds at the moment- I doubt there’s be another in her class.

Retisestress · 10/02/2022 17:32

I really love the name …my son was going to be named Phoebe if he had been a girlie.

BiscuitLover3678 · 10/02/2022 17:34

@OffToButtonM00n

Strong contender for DD, however, I’ve recently been having some reservations as although it gets a lot of love on name forums, I’ve had quite a few crinkled noses IRL when ‘road testing’.
  1. Will it forever have the ‘kooky’ Friends association attached to it?
  1. There are a few cruel nicknames I can think of which worry me slightly like Pee-bee, Fleabee, Feeble and Phoebe-jeebies.
  1. Does it travel well if she wanted to live or study abroad?

Any Phoebe mums out there that can reassure me?! I do love it but just having a wobble.

  1. That’s not a bad thing!
  2. Anything can have a bad nickname. You should see the names out there in schools. This really wouldn’t worry me.
  3. I’m less sure of these but it’s get overable

I’ve know a few so it’s really not that unusual a name.

SchoolWillBeUpShitCreek · 10/02/2022 17:34

My favourite name , ever!

Pamlar · 10/02/2022 18:05

I love it. I don't think the friends connection spoils it.
It's a great name imo and works for all ages

CazM2012 · 10/02/2022 18:10

I have a phoebe, generally shortened to phoebs, obviously we love it Grin not huge friends fans (and didn’t realise we named all 4 DC the same as some characters from friends till a couple of years after youngest was born)
She was taught how to spell her name from quite young and has corrected any wrong spelling herself since she could read it, but then one of my other DD has a very easy to spell name and people add random I’s E’s and Y’s sometimes Hmm so I wouldn’t worry too much.

Roselilly36 · 10/02/2022 18:28

I like it OP, great choice.

FuzzyPenguin · 10/02/2022 18:31

Phoebe was my girls name. Have loved it since I read the book Phoebe Beeabe and her hot water bottles. Beautiful timeless name

MarshaBradyo · 10/02/2022 18:33

I like it

I don’t have one though

Ghastlyghoul · 10/02/2022 18:36

I think it’s great. I wouldn’t give a thought to the Friends connotation. I don’t think it’s going to be anything she or her peers even register. And even if people do, so what. It’s a fine name and one that you like so go for it,

iwishiwasonhol · 10/02/2022 18:48

my ds was going to Phoebe ,i never thought about the friends connection ,mine was more of a charmed connection thats why my ds is called Cole

Meandthesky · 10/02/2022 19:39

I love it

I’ve known a few who have all been really lovely girls, so have only good associations with it

Jellycatrabbit · 10/02/2022 19:50

@TatianaBis

I also know a Pheobe. Less keen on that one!

Does she pronounce it Feeoby or Feeobe?

Just the same as Phoebe ( I suspect due ti uncertainty over the traditional spelling rather than any attempt to be different)
bloominglovelyorange · 10/02/2022 19:54

I love it! One of my favourite names
You can put yourself off almost any name
if you overthink and read forums
Stick with it

Littlehouseonthefairy · 10/02/2022 19:57

I hear 'phee bee' in an annoying sing songy weak voice.
But I would no longer care what anybody else thinks about a name I loved. I listened to the nay sayers and used a different name for my DC. I regret it big time. Use what you love.

TatianaBis · 10/02/2022 20:01

@Jellycatrabbit

Surely you’d clear up uncertainty over spelling before you named your kid? And having spelt it wrong why didn’t they just correct it?

eddiemairswife · 10/02/2022 20:06

When I was in the Junior School, the Seniors put on a production of Quality Street. I had never heard the name before, but I really liked it. I still do.

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 10/02/2022 20:06

I have a 10 year old Phoebe and I love the name. We call her Phoebs, Froobs and Froobie Grin
I don't think she has ever had any bullying or teasing over her name. I couldn't decide between Phoebe and Sophie and I am so pleased we went with Phoebe as there as so many Sophie and Sophias around.
Noone has ever mentioned a Friend's connection to her.
Do go with the name you love. Like a PP I didn't go with what I really wanted for my son's name and I still feel a bit sad over that.