Is this a terrible name?

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DH and I have just had a huge (lighthearted!) barney about what to call DD, due in summer. I love the name Ophelia and I know she's a tragic Shakespearean character but still love it and would happily use it (although obviously we won't use it as we won't both be in agreement!)

DH is adamant that it's a terrible name and doesn't think that anyone else would feel like me (ie make the connection but still think it's a beautiful name).

Naturally, the only thing for it is to throw it open to mumsnetters

It's very 'oh aren't we so very literary'.

I can't imagine a kid called Ophelia coming home from school with torn tights, hair all over the place, and half her lunch dropped down her jumper. It doesn't feel like a name you'd want the burden of carrying every day.

I know one called Philly. She's super sweet and mo one has ever been unkind about her name.

No sorry not keen. I know a girl called phoebe who is lovely and her friends call her pheebs.

Aurelia sounds similar and has a nice meaning?

It's fairly commonly used in aspirational circles now, so I don't think people of your generation or your child's generation would find it odd.

Personally, it's a name so resonant of tragedy that I wouldn't begin to consider it.

It’s not good. The Shakespearean connotations are terrible. It’s not like she’s a noble and strong yet doomed character like Cordelia or Juliet. She’s just a bit - I hesitate to say - wet.

I know a couple of Ophelias. Good name. I'd steer clear of Titania or Desdemona, though.

I think it's pretty

I chose it for my first daughter, now nearly 3 so of course I love the name! Aware of the fate of the character in Hamlet but just loved the name and my husband and I agreed on it instantly and didn't ever consider another name. So as much as I love the name I couldn't recommend it for you if your husband isn't on board as you'd never hear the end of it!

Lovely name!

Yep.

I like it.
My favourite Shakespearean name is Perdita.

I think it's nice

This made me laugh: "or worse, Feely?" We actually call our daughter Feely Beely! And it's cute, she's not even 3. People call their children all kinds of things - as if this is the worse you could imagine. It never ceases to amaze me how judgemental people are on here. And you know it's from someone who has called their child the most unimaginative names imaginable.

I have 2 girls called Ophelia and Perdita (bit of a Shakespeare buff!)

This. And, sorry op, but I always think people who use the name are a bit dumb coz they are using a clearly Shakespearean name, and yet they clearly haven’t actually read hamlet, otherwise they’d just… know.

I think it is a bit trying to hard to be different.

I think it's a very nice name. It's not overly common and it's a lot nicer than some unusual names.

What about Euphemia?

I worked with an Ophelia back in the 80s, I thought it was a very unusual name (I knew of the Shakespeare connection). It’s ok but I’ve never been keen on those type of sounding names (Amelia, Camelia, Jamelia etc) I didn’t realise it’s become popular recently. It sounds posh, if that’s what you’re going for.

I've taught an ophelia, lovely girl and lovely name 🙂. I love the nickname fee too 😄

Just to correct an often trotted out assumption on Mumsnet. I have read, seen and studied Hamlet (English Literature graduate) and still named my daughter Ophelia. Nobody even raises an eyebrow if you call your daughter Juliet or Tess but for some reason Ophelia seems to raise universal disdain. No idea why it bothers people so much. It's a beautiful name.

Ophelia is a very trendy name. If it continues to rise as it it has it will be in the top hundred when the next data set is released.
names.darkgreener.com/#ophelia

I don’t think the tragic character is an off putting thing to most people who are naming babies. Reclaimed names (such as Delilah) and mythological names are huge trends, and those names often don’t come with cheery backstories. Personally the sudden and significant rise in popularity would bother me more than the history.

@DemBonesDemBones Me too 😁

I think it's nice, though the "I feel ya" jokes would put me off, personally. I honestly don't think the Shakespeare thing is a big deal - Shakespeare didn't invent the name, and even if he did, lots of names have negative connotations. Most people won't pay it any mind.