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Baby names

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

Original poster

Zephyr for a girl

115 replies

mhck · 17/04/2023 10:45

I gave birth to a baby girl a week ago. My husband and I both love the name Zephyr and would like to give her this name. Years ago I knew a woman in the US named Zephyr so to me it's always been a name I've seen as a girl's name. Having looked into the name more it seems that in Europe it is mostly used as a boys name, although there are also some who see it as a unisex name as it is in the US.

I love the name and would really love to use it for our girl but I'm filled with doubt over whether the name is too much a boys name...

If we go for Zephyr I imagine her nickname would be Zeffie/Zephy.

Would really welcome hearing thought on Zephyr as a girl's name. Thanks so much!

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Showersugar · 17/04/2023 10:47

Congratulations! Lovely name, I think it works.

Skybluepinky · 17/04/2023 10:49

Not a fan, reminds me of the Red Hot Chilli peppers song. X

fairycupcakes · 17/04/2023 10:50

It’s “out there” but I actually really like it!! Zephy as a nn is super cute aswell!! Congratulations and I hope you, baby & family are all doing well x

Kanaloa · 17/04/2023 10:52

I’m not keen on it. There’s nothing terribly wrong with it but I don’t like it. I think I feel equally the same about it for a boy or for a girl.

DorisParchment · 17/04/2023 11:00

How about Zefira instead? It’s a Hebrew girl’s name.

viques · 17/04/2023 11:02

Sorry OP, but in my family the word zephyr is a family word for a fart ever since we discovered the definition of a Zephyr as “ a warm wind from the south”. So it’s a no from me.

Congratulations on your lovely new baby though.

Mycatisaqueen · 17/04/2023 11:04

DorisParchment · 17/04/2023 11:00

How about Zefira instead? It’s a Hebrew girl’s name.

Nice, but it sounds like a (Zafira) car as well - Ford Zephyrs were around in the 70s... maybe keep for a middle name.

BridieConvert · 17/04/2023 11:04

I actually really like it!

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 17/04/2023 15:42

I think it's awful personally.

Londonlady1423 · 17/04/2023 15:44

I haven't heard of it except the RHCPs song Zephyr song! I wouldnt personally use as it's too out there for me. But if you like it go for it, I've heard stranger names and once she's called it it will become her name if you know what I mean

Nannyfannybanny · 17/04/2023 15:45

It's horrible, unless you are talking about a warm wind or a car

KillerSandy · 17/04/2023 15:45

It's a car! Like calling a child Mondeo.

defi · 17/04/2023 15:45

I love it but I'm a massive rhcp fan

AndTheSurveySays · 17/04/2023 15:46

It's a horrible name.

TheSnowyOwl · 17/04/2023 15:47

viques · 17/04/2023 11:02

Sorry OP, but in my family the word zephyr is a family word for a fart ever since we discovered the definition of a Zephyr as “ a warm wind from the south”. So it’s a no from me.

Congratulations on your lovely new baby though.

I think that’s true for a lot of people. It’s a name I would completely avoid.

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/04/2023 15:47

I do think Z names tend to be more male in the UK. But it's nice enough. And unusual so people probably won't make sex-assumptions.

BonnieGlasses · 17/04/2023 15:48

Maybe your American friend was named after the California Zephyr train. It's not a good name for a person.

User1794537 · 17/04/2023 15:50

As in Ford Zephyr

Bichette · 17/04/2023 15:58

I quite like it, but prefer Zelda.

Ialalaaaa · 17/04/2023 15:58

Have you considered adding a very feminine middle name? To make it more obvious she's a girl when her name is called etc? Or even (complete MN no-go 😱) hyphenate it, so the full feminine name will always show on name lists/records? I also otherwise would have assumed a boy.

Zephyr-Lyla
Zephyr-Rose
Zephyr Leah
Zephyr Lynn
Zephyr Mia

Highworth · 17/04/2023 16:03

Needs a brother called Zodiac.
I may be showing my age…

DustyLee123 · 17/04/2023 16:04

Reminds me of a car .

Velvetbee · 17/04/2023 16:05

Love it.

TheIsleOfTheLost · 17/04/2023 16:07

I used to know a lady called Zepherine when living in Europe. You could shorten that to Zephyr.

Choconut · 17/04/2023 16:09

I think it's awful as a name, would you change your name to Zephyr?