Hephzibah

[Flangelica]

Is this name outrageous? I've always loved it - knew one, nicknamed 'Ephy' which is also one of my favorite nicknames. And the meaning is lovely. But it's too much, isn't it?

Too late for me.
Gonna need grandchildren 😁

<eagerly awaiting rush of Tziporah-named babies>

I was very, very sorely tempted to call my daughter 'Ephedra', it would have resulted in nickname, Effie, no doubt but I like that. Given though what the plant's properties are it may also have resulted in 'Zippy'? Win-win!

Alas, I didn't. It's too late for another one and she won't stand for re-naming now, I know it!

I love it.

When I was little I had a great aunt Hepzibah, known as Epsy. (long enough ago for this name to be popular again).

Actually it is my current favourite girls name were I to be expecting one.

It’s an Old Testament name, so arguably no more Jewish than Rachel or Deborah or Miriam.

The one in our family was Methodist too. Quite typical for so-called ‘low church’ name rather than saints names. Think Amish, and Cold Comfort Farm names: Amos, Reuben, Seth for boys.

For the poster who thought it more Jacob R-M style: my aunt was a Sheffield steel factory worker.

Diarmuid Gavin called his daughter this but she's known as Eppie

Agreed; it's an Old Testament name so no weirder for a Christian to use than a Jewish person 😊

Hepp-zee-bar.

Love it!

It’s not outrageous.

I was nearly a Hephzibah.

I ADORE Hephzibah! I wanted it for DD but he said it was too out-there (even though we're Jewish!)

Incidentally, my Hebrew-speaking DH says it "Heff-ZEE-bah" with the emphasis on the second syllable. I grew up pronouncing it HEPP-zeebar.

I wanted this for my first-born. Hard “no” from DH. On reflection, it would have been too much for her (or DD2 come to think of it - even though she has a much bigger personality).

It makes me think of Pollyanna telling Nancy (who hates her name and wishes it was something more interesting), "At least your name isn't Hephzibah! Can you think of anything more awful?" or words to that effect.

It works and Nancy is relieved and glad to be called Nancy after that.

Personally I like Hephzibah as I love interesting names, but I wouldn't bestow it on my own daughter.

It’s a ridiculous name and I’ve never come across anyone Jewish with the name, so def not one on most Jewish peoples radar

Oh I love an old testament name!

Hephzibah is pretty awesome but just pipped to the post for me by Tziphora which I've never heard before but is definitely going to be the name of my next kitten....

I knew one at school, but everyone called her Zippy or Zipper

I love it, its very Welsh though. Certain;y the older generation in my family may have had a few of them but not recently, a bit like Edith or Elsie now.
I think it needs to make a comeback especially if you have Welsh roots.

I should add the Welsh were quite keen on the more obscure bible names for their children. I had a childhood book with it in, something about a screaming skull I think.

I’ve loved it since reading Carrie’s War as a child.

If I didn't read the thread topic I'd have thought it was some sort of infection or a new strain of covid 😬 sorry
It's too out there for me IMO

YES carries war that was the book - thanks 😁I must read it again. It had Mrs Gotobed in it to.

Honestly, all I can hear now is a German person saying 'Help! The bar!' 🤷🍻

Ahh, I was reading this thread, trying to remember what I'd seen or read as a child where this was used as an exemplar of an ugly name - must have been that! I think that must have stuck and influenced me, as I now find it a really unappealing name.

I like it😀