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

Naming Athena’s little sister

68 replies

RebeccaJM · 25/08/2023 16:35

Hi lovely people,

We’re expecting a second baby girl in December, big sister is named Athena.

She will have two surnames (mine and DH’s, Iberian style not double barrelled) and our surnames are both a bit unusual / difficult for people in the UK.

We’re looking for a girl’s name that goes with Athena, probably is more Western / classical, and ideally quite easy to spell and pronounce, to smooth her way a bit given her surnames.

We prob would not go with another Greek goddess name, as Athena had beef with all her siblings, most of the nymphs and half the Greek canon! We also wouldn’t choose any names attached to tragic / unhappy figures (ie no Electra, Antigone, Cassandra, Persephone, Ophelia etc).

So far we like:
Aurelia
Lyra
Shira
Elissa

Would love any suggestions! Thank you!

OP posts:
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Sandysandwich · 25/08/2023 18:02

Orianna
Ramona

TheIsaacs · 25/08/2023 18:02

How about goddess names from other cultures than Greek?

Freya- Norse
Aurora- Roman
Flora- Roman
Rhiannon- Celtic
Brigid- Irish

Whatsthepoint1234 · 25/08/2023 18:48

I’ve got even more additions:
Ariel
Iara (ee-yah-ra)
Saba
Dalia (kink to Baltic mythology)
Nimue (nay-muw from Arthurian legend)
Storm
Talia
Etna
Hope

squeaker50 · 25/08/2023 18:53

Tracey or Sharon

Bobbybobbins · 25/08/2023 18:54

Xantia
Celeste
Estella

homewiththefurys · 25/08/2023 20:47

Venezuela or Valencia

lljkk · 25/08/2023 21:04

Angela. Works in Iberian places too.

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 25/08/2023 21:11

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

SeriousLeigh · 25/08/2023 21:11

Amara

FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 25/08/2023 21:21

I love the Greek spelling of Dafni.
Sophia
Ismini
Cristina

BlurMeUp · 25/08/2023 21:22

Thalia
Flora
or
Faye

would be my choices.

Jeelypieces20storeys · 25/08/2023 21:24

My immediate thoughts were Xanthe, Zoe or Eve, but also like Lycra from your list.

Katjolo · 25/08/2023 21:25

Juno

Jeelypieces20storeys · 25/08/2023 21:25

Lyra, sorry!

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 25/08/2023 21:26

Constance
Constantia
Aria
Venus

wellingtonsandwaffles · 25/08/2023 21:29

Iris
Fenella
Arietta
Serena

Bluejaybean · 25/08/2023 21:41

Helena or Elena

Longdarkcloud · 25/08/2023 22:01

Beatrice
Cressida
Helena
Halina
Nicola
Philippa

wisherwasher · 25/08/2023 22:03

Thalia

JustDumped · 25/08/2023 22:06

I’m early 50s and I’m an Athena!

I love the name Aurelia x

ElizaWinter · 25/08/2023 22:12

Meadowflower2023 · 25/08/2023 17:00

Aurora

Yes Xanthe

User764 · 25/08/2023 22:23

Elissa is a lovely name but definitely a tragic/unhappy figure.

Penelope
Clio

RebeccaJM · 26/08/2023 10:27

Thanks everyone for the ideas, some really beautiful names here! We’re going to roll them round for a bit and see how they fit.

I love the name Amara, but we have one in our family already. (Such a beautiful name.)

I also really love Miranda, but I’m told that in the UK other kids will associate the name with the TV show (Miranda Hart) and she might be teased. Any thoughts on that?

PS User764 - true!! DH’s main objection to Elissa is that the Romans give Dido such a depressing end. But that could just be anti-Carthaginian propaganda about a badass Phoenician queen…

OP posts:
Delphigirl · 26/08/2023 10:42

How about Atalanta? She could outrun every man in the world …

Delphigirl · 26/08/2023 10:42

Ignore that re Miranda. One she has the name it will be hers.