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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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Greenfairydust · 18/04/2023 08:25

Nope.

She will spend her life having to spell this to everyone...( I get that every single time and it does get seriously tedious)

And It just doesn't sound great either.

I would keep it as a middle name only.

EllenLRipley · 18/04/2023 08:33

I know 2 boys called Zephyr.

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 18/04/2023 08:35

If you love it then go for it.
My initial thought was ‘sounds like a Bond girl’.

WhatHoMarjorie · 18/04/2023 11:16

I know an adult Zephyr. Wouldn't be my favourite name in the world but she seems to manage fine.

AutumnColours9 · 18/04/2023 22:40

Not keen at all

Reminded me of RHCP too

AngeloMysterioso · 18/04/2023 23:27

Skybluepinky · 17/04/2023 10:49

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

Fly away owwwwwwwn my zephyr…
it’s no Under The Bridge.

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 19/04/2023 01:01

AngeloMysterioso · 18/04/2023 23:27

Fly away owwwwwwwn my zephyr…
it’s no Under The Bridge.

Show quote history

It’s not… but ‘I feel it more than ever…’ 🎶

DiscoBeat · 19/04/2023 01:12

I love Zephyr or Zephany!

JusthereforXmas · 21/04/2023 11:09

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!

Since when was it it unisex in the US?

I have been using a US based name discussions board for decades and while it pops up fairly often I have NEVER seen it mentioned or even suggested as anything other than masculine (and honestly the BNOG on there can be insane at times but this one is all male).

To be honest its ugly even for a boy though, it just makes me think of fingerprinting but if you really must go that route then Zephyrine is a very rare french feminine name.

clpsmum · 21/04/2023 11:34

I love it

cricketcrit · 21/04/2023 11:53

I know a little girl called it. I love it . Zephie she is known as

PurpleishDahlia · 21/04/2023 12:21

It's a lovely name but for me it's definitely a male name, as I'm greek and I know it's a masculine word referring to the westerly wind. I'm sure non greek people would not be aware though.

Viviennemary · 21/04/2023 12:23

It's dire. One of the worst names I've heard yet. Who would call their child that. I think its about time a government list of approved names was set up. Other countries do this.

Oreosareawful · 21/04/2023 12:25

God no, its awful. Doesn't even sound like a name.

Epicstorm · 21/04/2023 12:51

I immediately thought of the Ford Zephyr. Sorry. It’s awful.

IAcceptCookies · 21/04/2023 13:03

Awful, sorry.

Would you like to be called Zephyr, OP?

clpsmum · 22/04/2023 09:38

Mumsnet really is the wrong place to ask I'm afraid. Unless you call her Eva, Sophia or Isla everyone will hate it. Go with zephyr

IAcceptCookies · 22/04/2023 09:49

clpsmum · 22/04/2023 09:38

Mumsnet really is the wrong place to ask I'm afraid. Unless you call her Eva, Sophia or Isla everyone will hate it. Go with zephyr

🤨

And yet the other suggestions have been Zepherine, Zelda, Phryne and Zilpa

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 22/04/2023 09:59

clpsmum · 22/04/2023 09:38

Mumsnet really is the wrong place to ask I'm afraid. Unless you call her Eva, Sophia or Isla everyone will hate it. Go with zephyr

Have a look at the current thread about Eva to test that theory.

CharlotteDoyle · 22/04/2023 10:06

Far back in my family tree was a lady (French) named Zepherine which I thought was lovely

clpsmum · 22/04/2023 10:08

@ZoyaTheDestroyer oh really is that out of favour now lol

clpsmum · 22/04/2023 10:09

@IAcceptCookies each to their own!

Luredbyapomegranate · 22/04/2023 10:44

The only one I know is an American woman. I like it.

Luredbyapomegranate · 22/04/2023 10:45

clpsmum · 22/04/2023 09:38

Mumsnet really is the wrong place to ask I'm afraid. Unless you call her Eva, Sophia or Isla everyone will hate it. Go with zephyr

If you suggested those names everyone would tell you they were nice but way overused.

Doveyouknow · 22/04/2023 10:58

I know a couple of zephyrs - both boys so I think of it as boys name.