Help! doubts about my baby girl's unusual name

[katie789]

For nine months my DH and I studied baby name books, only to still be discussing the shortlist post-delivery in the labour room!

We decided on Ianthe (taking the 'ee-ann-thee' pronounciation, after guidance from a Greek friend), which had always been my DH's favourite. I have loved having an unusual name myself, and also loved the mythological meaning to the name.
We thought we could use Thea for short.

Now she's five weeks old (and already registered too), and I'm really worried whether I've made the right decision, mostly because DH was the driving force behind the name. My family hated it to start with, but are sweetly using it now and learning to love the name; friends have been kind about it, but perhaps just being nice?

Already getting a clutch of blank looks when I tell people (doctor's receptionists, HV, midwifes, etc) the name. She's got two middle names (one slightly unusual, one well-known), but I wouldn't prefer them as first names.

I feel awkward using it at the moment, but I couldn't say why. And all I can think about during these long sleep-deprived nights is whether we made the right choice.
I suppose I'm looking for reassurance really - will I grow to love the name on her?

I see it crop up as a suggestion on this board a lot, but does anyone else really see it as a good choice?

PS. Sorry for rambling post - my brain is addled!

It's a lovely name. People will be initially be a little confuse with the pronunciation but will get used to it!
We have just named our newborn daughter a slightly unusual name (though a v old and not made up one) and have had generally positive reactions but some slightly bemused ones from people who have clearly never heard of it!!

Congratulations on your new baby! Ianthe is a lovely name, I've never heard of it, but it's easy to pronounce and spell, and very very pretty. Stick to it and have no regrets!

I really like it - stick to it,and comgratulations too

Ah, don't be doubting your choices.
If it suits her fab. If not she'll grow into it. Like most here, think it's very pretty name.
I said I-an-thee when reading it first, but now I know. Thea very very lovely name. Jsut use Thea and have Ianthe on b.cert.?

I felt odd about my baby's name until she was several months old, it seemed to long and grown up for such a small baby. We used a nickname and a short form of her name and that helped.

Oh btw - I would pronounce it as you pronounce it, but that's possibly because I knew a Greek girl called Trianthe (pronounced the same). Always liked Trianthe too - means 3 flowers apparently which is pretty.

It's a gorgeous name, really lovely.
I found it funny saying DS1's name for a few weeks when he was born and also felt odd hearing other people use it. No idea why as his name isnt unusual at all. Must be a normal feeling whatever the name!

was just going to second what others have said with DD1 it took a while for her name to sink in, going from a silly (and private) bump name to a real name was strange and took a lot of getting used to.

Thank-you so much to you all for very sweet and positive responses - I'm normally a lurker rather than a poster on mumsnet, but I'm really touched by your comments.

Ianthe is squirming in my arms as I type so will keep it brief, but I feel much more confident about her name now. Some of your experiences really strike a chord - feeling self-conscious telling folk her name, and calling her 'the baby/little girl etc etc' instead of using her name myself. And the fact it was DH who 'found' the name first.

My greek friend says both the 'aye' and 'ee' pronounciations can be used. We prefer the 'ee', but not adverse to changing it. Will think on that...

Better go, loud screams now! Thanks again everyone,

I love it, and it was my top choice for DD but DH wouldn't go along with it. I thought it was eye-an-thee too ? Great name!

I think it's lovely

There is an Ianthe at school with my ds altho' with the other promunciation.I think it is beautiful.I had and still occiasionaly hve these feelings aout ds3 who is called Guy and also for th ,matter ds2s which is very common so I think it happens to all of us,although oddly I never think it about ds1s name

People can be a bit silly about unusual names. DD has quite an unusual name some people love it some hate it some are just confused! I was a bit worried at first and she was 'the baby with no name' for ages. Now she owns it. At leaast she wont be in the same position as me whereby there were 5 girls with my name in my class at school.

Oh yeah I like it-well done for having an imagination!

It is absolutely gorgeous! I also love Thea (and I have one to prove it )

Its beautiful xx

I like it and would pronounce it eye-an-they (like Iolanthe without the ol). It's really pretty without being too girly girly.

I think Ianthe is a beautiful name, my DD was almost called Ianthe (I would pronounce it eye-an-thee).

love it

i love it pronounced eye-anth-ee

Keep it.

I think Ianthe is pretty, and Thea is even better. Keep it!

It's a lovely name.

You'll get used to it Katie789.

DD has an unusual (and ponce-tastic) name and it took me a while to get used to repeating it and spelling it out but I just do it now without thinking and I don't regret it at all.

Ianthe is lovely, and I would pronounce it the way you do.