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Original poster

Sorry, more baby name dilemmas.... how would you pronounce this?

54 replies

murcimari · 04/03/2007 20:57

Hi. We're expecting baby No2 and we like the name Borggia for a girl...I took it from an old student of mine whose family originated from Sri Lanka, but she was born in France. I don't know if it's a typical Tamil name, or short for a longer name (Sri Lankan names are notoriously long). Tried to search on the net, but couldn't find it as a first name. Obviously, I know how she pronounced it, but would be interested to know if you would pronounce it the same. Wouldn't want to name our baby something that was totally weird and unpronounceable.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

lemonaid · 04/03/2007 22:41

Where do you find a UK top 300, anyway? I've only ever seen a top 100 boys and top 100 girls...

katelyle · 04/03/2007 22:44

It's fine - up to a point - to choose soemthing unusual, but not a good idea, IMHO to have a name that for the rest of her life, she'll be saying "No, not Georgia, it's Borgia" I think an unusual name has to not sound like an ordinary one.It's like wierd spellings. I just think it must be really boring to spend your life saying "No, it's is Kieran, but it's spelt Kyran" Or, like my dd's friend, who's Alicia, but it's spelt Aleesha. How about Halcyon? Or Iris? Or Cleindori? All names I considered, but chickened out of.

themildmanneredjanitor · 04/03/2007 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shonaspurtle · 04/03/2007 22:53

Well, here's a list of all the names given to babies in Scotland last year. Pity the two boys who were registered as "A"...

Lots of unusual names and made up spellings in there.

As someone who has spent her life with a name that can either be spelled correctly or pronounced correctly but never both (and which Cod thinks is poncey ), can I beg you to reconsider

shonaspurtle · 04/03/2007 22:54

And I also think Clara is a beautiful name.

shonaspurtle · 04/03/2007 22:55

oops forgot the link

PeachesMcLean · 04/03/2007 22:55

DH informs me the Borg are from Star Trek Next Generation.

I wouldn't risk that association

Original poster

murcimari · 04/03/2007 23:15

Yes, Clara is absolutely gorgeous, but...I?ve got a feeling it?s the next Olivia or Grace. Sorry, really don?t mean to offend anyone, it's not you, it's me!!
Star Trek association LOL ? dh would probably love that!
shona - thanks for the Scottish name list. Some of those names even I find weird .

By the way, the top 300 list can be found here: www.babyplanners.co.uk/

Oh, I do hope this girl is a boy !

OP posts:

hunkermunker · 04/03/2007 23:21

How about Penelope?

Or Toad?

nathaliea · 04/03/2007 23:24

what about mia or maya

Marina · 04/03/2007 23:26

Shona, I'll have you know that dd's imaginary friend is called "A". She could be Scottish, it seems. But as we live in SE London it must be spelled "Eh", I think
OP - another one who would immediately think of the psycho Borgia clan. But remember a lot of us are of an age to remember the BBC's absolutely dreadful miniseries about the lives of the Borgias...

Spidermama · 04/03/2007 23:27

I think Borggia is a lovely name. I've never heard of the murderers and her generation won't have either. Anyway, she's not going to be a murderer, with any luck, so she'll be your very own Borggia.

ScottishThistle · 04/03/2007 23:32

I like Borggia, very like Georgia which I also like...if you like it, go ahead...be a bit different!

katelyle · 04/03/2007 23:45

We called our dd grace 11 years ago - we thought it would be unusual but not odd. Now every seconf 10 year old is called grace. I thin it's called riding the zeitgeist! I still love Halcyon - it has such lovely meanings!

Lemmiwinks · 04/03/2007 23:50

Spidermama, I'm sorry but I just had to respond to your comment - I'm unclear as to what generation you are referring to in regards to needing to have heard of the Borgia Pope and his dynasty? I'm in my early twenties and I think many other people with a basic education, regardless of their age, would have also heard of the Borgia Pope not because of a "generational thing" (seeing as he was alive in the 1400's and certainly no one is going to know him from current events on Sky News) but simply thru paying attention in history class! I know I'm probably being a bit harsh here, and I apoligise, but I feel strongly that when choosing your child's name it is very important to take into account the connotations and the meaning of a name you choose. It's unfair not to. It's perfectly reasonable to not know the origins or history of every name but as a parent it's your responsibility to investigate and research it. But that's just my opinion and you are of course allowed to like the name as a forename, regardless!

ScottishThistle · 04/03/2007 23:57

Lemmiwinks, I've never heard of the name Borgia!

I believe you should choose your child's name because you like it & forget about history & all other twaddle connected to it!

Lemmiwinks · 05/03/2007 00:09

Ok, I hear you, fair enough, but what if you just absolutely love the name Genghis Kahn or Adolf Hitler? It's still your perogative to name your child whatever you like (well as long as it's not going to get you in trouble with the law) but you have to be aware that people will have a reaction to it. Still, to each their own Maybe little Borgia will grow up to be a Hollywood star and then her name won't stand out amongst Apple Martin, Pilot Inspektor Lee and Audio Science Sossamon to name but a few!

Spidermama · 05/03/2007 10:41

Lemmi
WTF is the Sky News reference supposed to be about. Blatant snobbery.

I never thought I'd need to say this to grown ups who weren't debating whether or not to employ me but I have a BA (hons)degree and a Post Grad diploma. I've worked as a journalist for the BBC for over ten years. I have not heard of Borgia, in history lessons or anywhere else. This could well be because I'm not interested in history.

Keep your attempted snobbish put-downs to yourself please. They do no good to anyone.

Lemmiwinks · 05/03/2007 15:24

Spidermama, chill out! "Blatant snobbery"? I'm not going to comment about the BBC here, I'm just not going to go there... However, I could say the same for you having disdain for people knowing things that you don't and deeming it totally unimportant knowledge if you, as a journalist at the BBC (sorry, not supposed to go there!) have never heard of it b/c you have no interest in history. I'm sorry, I just had to get that off my chest. But in response to you feeling that is how I meant what I was saying, I'm truly sorry if my comments were taken that way, I swear it wasn't meant to be taken in anyway at all snobbishly. If you read the rest of this thread there are loads of other people here (let alone in the world) who have also heard of the Borgia dynasty so it's not just "snobby" old me. I promise that you don't need to be a "snob" to have heard of them! But I really do apologise if it came across at like that, I really didn't mean for it to. Let's just call a truce on this one and agree to disagree

fryalot · 05/03/2007 15:28

blimey, I never thought it would kick off on a baby names thread!!! Should have brought my hard hat.

fwiw, I've heard of the Borgias. I think there was a tv dramatisation in the late 70s.

I don't know what channel it was on though, so not being snobby!

nailpolish · 05/03/2007 15:32

i have a friend called Myra and she hesitates ever so slightly when asked her name as she knows what the look on the other persons face will be

but as her friend i have to say i am just used to it now

LaidbackinEngland · 05/03/2007 15:47

HI - just returned from living in Sri Lanka and did not come across this name at all. Don't think it is Sri Lankan I'm afraid

I am due in 5 days and was looking at some names for DS3 .... found the Polish boys name Boleslaw .... i.e. Coleslaw with a 'B' -but presumably it is pronounces 'Boleslav'.

Anyway won't be using that name - too cabbagy

nailpolish · 05/03/2007 15:48

lol

jdd0709 · 05/03/2007 16:00

Why not Beorgia to make sure it is pronounced properly. I have to say I quite like Borgia - I think with the 2 g's it would def get pronounce borg-ia. I agree that unusual names are much more interesting as long as not too wacky - I think you can always find some negative historical association if you look for one - but as soon as you know a new baby as that name for a few weeks you will forget it - go for what you want - it is up to the parents and you will never please everyone. I am in this situation at the moment (being pg, liking unusual names, everyone telling me what I can and can't name my child) and frankly, I think it is rude and presumptious. If you ask for advice and opinions like here then fair enough but otherwise, keep out! (to all my relatives .....)

sweetkitty · 05/03/2007 16:02

Thanks for the Scottish names link, I thought DD2's name (Talia) was unusual but there were 11 other Talia's born in Scotland last year (parents with good taste too

back to original poster TBH I don't like Borgia either (hadn't heard of the historical connection either but I'm a scientist not a historian) but names are very personal and it's your baby.

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