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Original poster

Shakespearean Names?

53 replies

LadyCressida · 08/01/2010 11:09

My family have a tradition of using Shakespearean names but I'm not sure there are any left that are any good! Can anyone suggest any they think are nice?

I've had a good idea for a boy, but if I have a girl I am a bit stuck!

My name is Cressida and also already taken are Cordelia, Hermione, Ophelia, Phyllida and Imogen.

Perhaps I will just have to widen the theme to literary or mythological names...

Cheers!

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Original poster
LadyCressida · 08/01/2010 16:37

It reminds me of Jilly Cooper too! And I do feel lots of kicking so perhaps there is a potential polo player in there!

Hal got past my other half with remarkable ease and acceptance - it turned out it's because it's also the name of a computer in 2001 a space odyssey. Yes, I am married to a geek

OP posts:
mellifluouscauliflower · 08/01/2010 16:56

I really like Ariel..but obviously pronounced as in A-ree-elle rather than a popular brand of washing powder
I think it is OK for a boy or girl.

MrsY · 08/01/2010 18:12

Like Ariel for a boy. I also know a male Regan.

I love Dorcus, but for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers rather than Shakespeare! Wasn't allowed, though. sigh.

Think Viola is the nicest. Unusual but not weird!

GirlWiththeMouseyHair · 08/01/2010 21:13

I so wanted Lysander for a boy, but a bit obvious for a theatre director!

Am far too superstitious to use Goneril, Regan, Ophelia...hate the characters Miranda and Olivia and Hero

Favs are Juliet, Beatrice and Kate (Katherine)...mainly because I work in theatre so can't have an obvious shakespeare name

BUT I did nearly sneakily give DS middle name of Moth....

incandescent · 08/01/2010 21:18

Cleopatra is a tremendous name, even if you just put it on the birth cert and use Cleo until she's old/brave enough for the full version.

Or Flavia? Wasn't she one of Cleopatra's maids?

Viola and Portia also lovely.

lockets · 08/01/2010 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MaryMungo · 08/01/2010 21:53

Audrey

Juno

Judith

Susanna

I would love to have a Gertrude, DH not keen.

Glad I'm not the only one who likes the name Dorcas

natapillar · 08/01/2010 22:25

i will say Jessica,as that is my DD1s name and I loved it so much. Named after Shylocks daughter. only downside is when ppl NN her Jessie,which I hate!!

Original poster
LadyCressida · 09/01/2010 00:09

I'd love to be brave enough to call a girl Cleopatra - it is an awesome name and has lots of nice nicknames! - but it might be just a bit much.

Though checking facebook (my good test of whether people actually have these names!!) - there are loads of them! I am very surprised!

OP posts:
DorotheaPlenticlew · 09/01/2010 09:55

Oh, I'm longing to call DD Cleopatra now. Chances are she's going to pop out as a super-chunky, blonde Teutonic type if DS is anything to go by, so it might strike observers as a little odd, but heck.

Only one I can think of is Cleo Laine, (not sure of spelling of surname or whether her full name is Cleopatra). My mum had loads of her records when I was little.

Quite surprised there aren't more famous Cleopatras actually.

Northernlurker · 09/01/2010 10:01

I've got a Miranda, Rosalind and Beatrice - exactly for this reason. Viola was my other favourite. I don't think anybody has mentioned Celia have they?

brockleybelle · 09/01/2010 10:02

Portia.

incandescent · 09/01/2010 10:06

What about Octavia then? Cleopatra's Roman rival. Though she's a bit wet, I think she's quoted as being 'a statue, rather than a breather' or something.
Charmian, was Cleopatra's faithful maid, not Flavia.

(I think A & C might be my fave Shakespeare play!)

I wanted to call DD Cleopatra too, but her dad (and my mum) vetoed it. It's a name that requires a lot of living up to, though, which would be hard for an introverted child.

Facebook very reliable way of name checking!

AllThreeWays · 09/01/2010 10:07

I am a Juliet, but it didn't become Jules until I chose to use it in my 20's. Some people did use it before that but it didn't stick IYSWIM.
I love my name and it is instantly recognised as Shakespearian, BUT it is often misspelled (Juliette)
Ps I spell it Jewels

carciofi · 09/01/2010 10:10

I have an Emilia so that gets my vote. I also love Juliet.

littledawley · 09/01/2010 10:13

NorthernLurker - your children have such beautiful names!! They would have been my suggestions along with Viola and Celia. Love Celia as I love the nn Cece.

Northernlurker · 09/01/2010 14:33

Thanks

mrsmandm · 09/01/2010 16:52

Oh I love Cordelia, might have to use that one. Thing is our surname is double-barreled, so worried that would sound too posh.

natapillar · 09/01/2010 16:52

i know someone named Cleopatra,and shes a bitch! so that has put me off that name!

skidoodle · 09/01/2010 17:03

Ophelia

Lady Macbeth

PfftTheMagicDragon · 09/01/2010 17:06

Rosalind is lovely.

Hyze · 09/01/2010 17:29

Bianca

Hyze · 09/01/2010 17:44

Bianca, Helena, Mariana, Ursula, Slyvia, Tamora, Thaisa

bunnymother · 09/01/2010 17:53

Our DD is Cordelia, named after daughter in King Lear. I was afraid it would sound pretentious but liked it too much to care what others thought. However, being such a big name for a baby, we call her Delie. Another Cordelia was shortened to Coco, which I think is lovely.

SnowMuchToBits · 09/01/2010 17:59

I love Juliet and Miranda, and also like Rosalind and Isabella.

I have a relative called Harold who is a Hal for short, so I'm sure you could use it for Harry.