Is Portia too weird a name for my baby girl? Sanity check...

[Apteryx]

Hi,
I am thinking of naming our impending daughter Portia. I've always loved the name, but I have some reservations about it being too "out there", or her being hassled with tedious comments about it being like the car - Porsche.
What do Mumsnetters think?

think its fine

but also agree with custardo

Thanks Guys (specially to the "nays" for being diplomatic)- I guess you'd describe us as "uncomfortably middle class", so the idea of appearing posh makes me squirm. We live in Australia and I don't think a posh sounding name will be such an issue here - we'll go for it.
BTW - it was Shakespeare that inspired me!

I love it, and the Shakespeare connection. However, in my part of the world, I would constantly be saying, 'She's called Portia, as in Shakespeare, not the car'...I'm from Essex!

Do you? I didn't know that where abouts? Im in WA but am very English really.

lovely ...have sshakespearian one myself dontcha know

yes shakespeare-y here too

I have Shakespeare family member name and all, can I be in the club?

and me.

I think Portia is lovely. Before I knew the Shakespeare ref I always associated it with a porcupine in a comic my brother used to get called the Get Along Gang. But even then I loved the name.

If I didn't already have a daughter with P as her initial I might have been tempted to nick it off you and add it to my list.

\link{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portia_%28disambiguation%29\Portia according to wikipedia}

It's not weird. If you like it, go for it. I think it's quite pretty

Also heartily approve of Shakespearean names

suzywong - I'm in Melbourne, been to Perth a couple of times recently as my DH has been doing some work there. I come to Mumsnet for my news and views on parenting, even though I have to guess the cultural gaps (without local knowledge. e.g. Waitrose). I've come across nothing like so good in Aus - shame really. I've seen you post regularily suzywong, now I can keep an eye on you .
BTW I am thrilled with the reactions to my question from mumsnets.

I think it sounds pretentious - although hasten to add I am not implying that you are pretentious. Just thought I would give you my honest gut feelings....

My Rhodesian Ridgeback is called Portia We call her Portia Pig...

Dd has Shakespearean name, we almost didn't do it for various reasons but now I'm SO glad we did.
Portia is lovely.

Mary.

Mary is a nice name.

Portia is a lovely name. Educated people will immediately think 'Shakepseare - cool', uneducated people will think 'Porsche - cool!'.

my sister went to college with a girl called Portia i thought it was really feminine and exotic. My other sister wanted me to call my baby Phaedra.

rofl prettycandles - how egalitarian!

(am busily thinking of other names that fit this criteria)

I met a mum once who called her daughter Ariel. After The Tempest I thought but no, The Little Mermaid apparently.

I think it's beautiful - her speech on the 'quality of mercy' in the play would be lovely at her christening/naming ceremony too

better than the washing powder cupcakes

I wanted Morticia for my dd, but I was talked out of it!

I think that you should reconsider, seriously. Sorry!

I knew a Portia. At least you're spelling it correctly. Saw a birth announcement for a Porsher once.

I love the name. It was on my list when I didn't know I was going to have three boys in a row. I did look it up though and was put off because it means 'pig like' which is slightly unfortunate.