Stuck between two names

[squishousdelicious]

Expecting a little girl in the autumn and we're stuck between two names! We go for more unusual names, so I know they won't be to everyone's taste and I don't particularly care if people don't like them or wouldn't choose them for their own children.

I'm interested to hear thoughts on the names, potential for nicknames etc. Surname begins with M. Middle names are chosen based on family names, beginning with E and J, but not sure on the order yet.

So: Persephone or Octavia?

Love Persephone ❤️

I really like both of these names. Slightly prefer Octavia though!

I prefer Octavia - it was on my list. I don't like thr way Persephone looks and I don't like the four-syllable pronunciation in English (in my language it'd be pronounced Per-seff-onn.) Sephie is nice as a nickname but I prefer it as a shortening for Séraphine.

So definitely Octavia, it's cool and kick-ass.

Persephone, fabulous name.

Both are gorgeous. I think I slightly prefer Octavia though. Only slightly!

Octavia.

Both are nice. I think I would choose Octavia.
Don’t see any issue with the initials combination.
For nicknames, I would use Percy/Sephie or Tia/Vivi.

I think Octavia needs to be the eigth child, born on the 8th or in August.

I like Persephone. The two I have known have been called Percy.

Octavia is very Jilly Cooper. Persephone will be hard to pronounce or spell!

Both a bit pretentious, sorry. I'd go for Persephone and she can be a Seffie if she wants to be cool. Nothing can be done with Octavia to that end.

Love both. Would probably go with Persephone, although you are setting her up there with a lifetime of incorrect spelling and pronunciation..

Persephone - never knew how to pronounce it, it’s quite nice better than Octavia.

I read it as purse-a-phone so I’d worry about others mispronouncing it too.

Octavia. Strong but pretty. I knew one who went by Tay which I liked. I want to like Persephone but I read it as Percy-phone which puts me off.

I prefer Persephone but it is quite a mouthful and some people won’t know how to say it - so Octavia is possibly a safer choice unless you’re going to use a nn like Seph? There aren’t any very nice options though

I love Persephone but do still have a former colleagues words in my head as I say that “what’s her sister called? Bagkeys?”

Things to remember as you leave the house.

I know a Persephone who goes by Percy. It’s such a lovely name.

😂

I prefer Persephone, I have never met one. Could be Percie or Sephie. Love Sephie

I like Octavia too. I know two, one goes by Tavi and one Tavia, guess she could be Octi too. Tavi is nice.

Octavia feels a bit more formal, primarily and proper, like she would be a bit rigid and stand offish wherea Persephobe would be more friendly and personable and Sephie would be cheeky and in search of adventure.

In response to the difficulty with spelling/pronunciation of Persephone: i totally understand the concern. However, my own name (more unusual than not, though slightly higher ranked on the latest name list) is pretty phonetic in terms of how to say it, yet I've lived a life time of people saying and spelling it wrong or just calling me entirely the wrong name. If I can live with it, I can teach my daughter too as well, and at least her name may warrant it where mine didn't!

They are both quite grand names, but I do like them. I think Persephone lends itself better to less grand-sounding shortenings for daily use (Percy, Sephie, etc.).

Octavia NN “ Tavy”

I love Autumn!

My neighbours children are Octavia and Persephone. Their sister is Genevieve.

I like both. I’m surprised at those saying they wouldn’t know how to pronounce Persephone. I’d go for Octavia as easier to live with. You can shorten to Tavie.

This really.

I know people like to pretend this isn't a thing, but it is. My cousin has called her children very pretentious names. She thinks it makes her sound more well off and elevates her social status. She's very keep up with the Joneses.

I happen to know this, because I know what she's like. The wider issue is people who don't know her automatically think this is the case. So regardless of whether there's any basis to the judgement, she would still get the same eye rolls and people giving her a wide berth because they just expect her to be a bit of a knob. I see the looks, when we arrive at places with the kids, and she announces two typically pretentious names. We went to a craft session with all of them the other day. You can see the staff literally give each other looks like "ohhhh, this woman's going to be a pain in the arse" and a couple of the other parents smirk. People then literally avoid her and don't strike up conversation. It sounds quite dramatic, but it's noticeable.

I know you're entitled to call your child pretty much what you like. But it doesn't just affect you.