Portia?

[frazzledoldbag34]

I am considering this, although Annabel is at the top of the list as well. I think it's unusual and pretty. What do the wise ladies of mumsnet-land think?
(my husband also likes Mabel and Fiona. I like Topaz. We are considering these as middle names).

I think we must have similar taste. I considered Portia. (But children's Dad has one and I didn't want people to think it was Porsche. That would have been SO embarrassing). He wouldn't have minded though and would have sniggered at my Shakespearian pretensions.

I really like it. Not sure I don't prefer Annabel though. FWIW!

ps Annabel Topaz works really well, maybe becuase it's modest + eccentric. (like Annabel Skye)

But 'Portia Topaz' or 'Portia Mabel' is like having two pudding sin a row.

Fiona Mabel flows well. Not a huge fan of Fiona, knew too many growing up here in Ireland. But I really like Leonora Topaz or Leonora Mabel.

Portia - no, I wouldn't . Pretentious Sloaney c. 1980 sort of name. And agree that some people might mistake it for Porsche .

Annabel and Annabella are lovely names. Also Fiona. Not keen on Mabel or Topaz.

Gosh Liffey - my DH also has a porsche (which is also making me cautious about using Portia). BUT he has promised to swap it for something more suitable when DC3 arrives! Maybe one one of those S4 audi's - is that the fast one? So when the Porsche goes there would be no reason not to go for Portia......????

Annabel Topaz Mabel
Annabel Fiona Topaz
Portia Mabel Topaz
Portia Topaz Fiona

I need 3 names as my other 2 darlings have 3 names each.

Although I do like Skye Liffey - I know a few Skye's around here. And would really like Topaz as one of the middle names and Topaz Skye sounds a bit silly IMO?

hmm, nI agree Topaz Skye is too Zany. Not in the same league as Zuma Nesta but still.

I like a tiny bit of Zany. But not that much.

Less is more. According to that formula, imo Annabel Topaz is fabulous.

ps Annabel Portia Topaz works well too. After Annabel, it seems more obvious somehow that the name would be definitely Portia and no way Porsche.

If it were Topaz Portia, my ear might hear Topaz Porsche.

I like Portia for its Shakespearean role model, but sadly the car will come to many minds on first hearing it. Also quite like Mercedes but same applies in spades!

I like Topaz and Fiona, but am with Liffey. One unusual and one more familiar, in case they don't want to stand out. I have an unusual first name, and my second is Fiona. Never gone by it though!

Sorry it has conotations of tarquin with it

I much prefer Annabel

I agree with Liffey Annabel Portia Topaz is the best one so far. I do like Portia but I think people will forever think of the car and not the Shakespeare character.

I absolutely love Mabel, but I don't think it works at all with Annabel - both ending in 'bel' it sounds odd. You could do Araminta Topaz Mabel....

Lucky you being allowed 3 names for your DCs. I had to battle with DH to be allowed 2. I went for slightly unusual / possibly zany to some ears combined with classic Shakespearian so I am keen on that type of combination. Think I will go down the same route this time.

LOL at Tarquin noonki (apologies to any Tarquins reading this but it just makes me giggle)
Reminds me of a story I heard about two men my MIL knows called Harvey Sunshine and Fabian Hercules. Fabulously camp names IMO! Tarquin would fit quite well. Am not sure Portia is quite the female equivalent though?

Err - I can actually see what she means. Portia does have something a little Tarquinesque about it.

oh dear.

Posh.

Posh = good though surely?
Better than Chav? (whatever THAT means?) !!

Whatever floats your boat. I'm personally not keen on Portia / Arabella / Camilla type names. Bit Sloaney for me.

in this day and age, (outside of MN of course) it is worse to be Posh than Chavy!

I met somebody once on a course i did with this name and she HATED it. she used her middle name instead and hated her parents for naming her portia cz sshe still had to use it on her IDs.

Mercedes?

Just back from my scan - it definitely looks more like an Annabel than a Portia.
DH thought he saw a willy - turned out to be the cord!

Annabel Topaz Portia might just be it!

Hmm, the meaning is not fantastic though, but it does sound like a nice name: Portia