Horatia or Harriet?

[RishiRich]

I think Horatia is dashing, Harriet is pretty. I prefer Horatia but it's a bit of a brave choice.

I thought of Miss Trunchbull too for some reason.

Change your own name to Horatia, op if you think it's so dashing.

Harriet, I've always liked that name.

Horatia sounds like the middle class version of Portia. It sounds pretentious to me.

A real mix, bit most posters seem set against Horatia. I like Hera. Honoria not so much. I once knew an awful girl called Esther so that puts me off Hestia, sadly.

My fave is still Horatia but I take on board the points about people not knowing how it's pronounced and the whore/ho jokes. That bit hadn't even occurred to me TBH.

Horatia is...ok. I prefer Antonia which has a similar vibe

The Georgette Heyer Horatia is fabulous, but says of her name “It’s an odious name, isn’t it?”

She gets called Horry by her family, which wouldn’t be great.

It’s not a good name OP.

I’m not a fan of Harriet either tbh. Hera is good. Or Henrietta nn Hetty?

Rather love Horatia and a fabulous girl could carry it off brilliantly. I do remember, though, a very nerdy, unglamorous Venetia I once knew whose name was clearly a burden. It is hard to do but I wonder if a name needs to be kind to the little mousy types as well as the glorious Amazons

Hero is a great name for a boy or girl if you are looking for something from the classics.
I used to know a girl called Hero and she was rather fabulous!

Horatia is absolutely awful. I feel very sorry for anyone with that for a name. Really dire, don't do it!

Harriet is lovely.

I know two stunning Venetias. Prettier name than Horatia - less of a mouthful and easier to shorten.

Prefer Hera and Honor.

@Mysisterlivesinbicester
We have a Horatia at the school where I work. She is the most amazing little girl who totally owns the name. We love her and think her name suits her.

Harriet is dowdy and Horatia is hideous.

Hera is far lovelier. Go with that.

This.

Harriet

Nigella Lawson has a sister called Horatia. Both awful names. I'm not terribly keen on Harriet but it's not as bad as Horatia. OP, you sound as if you love Horatia and maybe you'd be disappointed if you didn't go for it. The whore thing is a load of crap so ignore that one but she'll get called Nelson

Don't pick a name for your daughter that she has to live up to.It's not fair on her.Put yourself in her 4 or 8 or 14 year old shoes and ask whether you would prefer Horatia to Emily say ,and even if you would then think about the shyest girl in the class and which name she would prefer. I don't hate Horatia but the name is for your child and not for you. I'm not meaning to be rude btw , I just have strong feelings on this.

I gave met one Horatia, in the year below me at school, I forgot as she changed her name socially at about age 8 to Chloe and then I believe she changed it legally as an adult. She was of the definitly of the opinion that it was ugly name to have to live with.
I recall it being a secret/a bit of a joke in seniors when people knew she had changed her name because her real one was so horrible, and people would try to guess what name it had been.

Harriet by a country mile! I think Horatia would be a difficult name to carry off.

I love Harriet! And Hester, Hettie and Hebe.

Horatia sounds too combative and masculine for me! A bit like Georgetta, Honoria, Athena, Adrianna, or Gloriana. Great for a ship, but not so much for a person. (I hope that doesn't offend anyone; just my personal opinion! )

I know a horrid Venetia so I wouldn't choose that. Not fond of Lavinia either.

What about Dora, Minerva, Alexa or Serena?
Actually not sure about Minerva either!

How about Miranda?

Or Marina? But I prefer the French version, Marine. Or Davina?

Or Daria, Saskia or Cassia/Kezia?

(Just don't call her Wisteria, Forsythia or Petunia! )