I have a daughter named [name]Rowena[/name] (Rowes) and we are pregnant with what could be our second daughter and we both love [name]Genevra[/name] ([name]Ginny[/name]) as a first name. We crossed it off the list because of the [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] connection, but then it was recommended to us twice on nameberry so it could possibly be back on the list.
So is [name]Rowena[/name] and [name]Genevra[/name] too close or too [name]Harry[/name] Potterish?
[name]Rowena[/name] and [name]Genevra[/name] are lovely together. I don’t think the general public would connect the two back to [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]. [name]Ever[/name]. Only true [name]Potter[/name] fans know the first name of the founder of Ravenclaw House and [name]Ginny[/name] Weasley’s full first name.
Too true! You don’t even know how happy I am! I love [name]Genevra[/name] and was so sad to cross it off the list!
As southernmaple said, the world mostly knows the character as [name]Ginny[/name] and not [name]Ginevra[/name].
But if that worries you too much have you considered [name]Geneva[/name]?
I do like [name]Geneva[/name], but [name]Genevra[/name] just has an added sass to it that I love!
It is a bit [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name].
I’d prefer [name]Geneva[/name] over [name]Genevra[/name] anyday personally.
A friend of mine announced to me recently that she was considering the name [name]Harry[/name] [name]James[/name] for her unborn son. She had no idea [name]James[/name] was [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]'s middle name until I told her, and he’s the title character! Like others have said, I’m sure only true [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] fans would notice, and they either wouldn’t care or would be jealous that you were brave enough to do it.
Only true [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] fans, like me, would know. However, that said, there are a lot of us out there and it just screams [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] to me. With that said, it’s not a bad connection, but if it’s going to bother you when someone says “oh like [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]” or “you must be [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] fans” then I would cross it off.
I wouldn’t have had a clue that [name]Genevra[/name] is from HP, and honestly I can’t see how it matters. It’s an awesome name: use it if you love it!
Oh, wow…to show how old I am, I read “[name]Harry[/name] [name]James[/name]” and thought, “Big Band”!! I didn’t even consider [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] right off!
I think the name [name]Genevra[/name] is so beautiful. It works well with [name]Rowena[/name], and I say go for it.
I think [name]Ginny[/name]'s formal name is actually spelled [name]Ginevra[/name], so spelling it [name]Genevra[/name] helps make the HP reference not quite so obvious. And like others said, only the super fans will probably make the connection. [name]Genevra[/name] and [name]Rowena[/name] go wonderfully together. (I would recommend not using [name]Ginny[/name]/[name]Genny[/name] as a nickname, though. Maybe just [name]Gen[/name]?)
I think it is fine!
Guys, it’s not an obvious connection. I would bet less than 15% of people who meet them would think about it. Then about 5% would mention it. Especially since she has other children besides those two.
Okay I’m so sorry, but I think it is a bit obvious. [name]Rowena[/name] and [name]Genevra[/name] are both beautiful names, but together they might be too blatantly [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]. Maybe move one to the middle? But if you aren’t too worried about a small percentage of people (like me) who will understand the reference, go for it, because the names sound gorgeous together.
I never ever would have known! It’s completely fine. A few people might know, they might ask about it. Who cares???!! Most people will never even know. [name]Don[/name]'t give up a name you love because of this.
I didn’t see the connection at first. I think they sound gorgeous together.
I think they are beautiful, unique, and inspired choices. I had no idea that [name]Ginny[/name]'s full name was [name]Ginevra[/name] until reading this thread, so I never would have made the connection. Due to the spelling difference, [name]Genevra[/name] further distances that connection. It seems more like [name]Geneva[/name] with a twist than a blatant [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] reference. And even if people realize that both names are in the book and comment on them (I don’t think nameberry is a good representation of the frequency of this actually happening in real life, because most here are already nerds of the naming sort and there is a much higher chance of cross-nerdery into [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] realms ^_^), is that such a bad thing? [name]Rowena[/name] Ravenclaw and [name]Ginny[/name] Weasley are powerful and inspiring role models, as are most of the [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] women. There are far worse associations in the world!
I think the bottom line is, follow your heart and go with what you love. It is a lot easier to explain falling in love with a name so much that you had to have it for your little girl, than having to explain to her that you named her [name]Jane[/name] [name]Doe[/name] because the name you were really in love with was risky and so you felt you had to settle 
At least that is my personal opinion.
First of all, I love that your screen name is reepicheep, and I love that the poster above me has [name]Narnia[/name] and [name]Caspian[/name] on her list. Is Illyria tied to [name]Narnia[/name]? I can’t quite remember. And I’ve read those books multiple times.
I have not read HP. I have seen the movies. I do not remember [name]Rowena[/name], and only remembered that [name]Ginny[/name] was a name when I read it. No idea she was a [name]Genevra[/name] or [name]Ginevra[/name]. I can’t see this being a problem really. Especially since it seems like you love the names on their own - it’s not like you’re just picking them because they’re both characters. And with you calling [name]Rowena[/name] Rowes, you have more distance, and from what I gather it’s not like the characters are sisters or anything. [name]Even[/name] that’s not so bad since you don’t (I don’t think?) have other HP names in your kids. I wouldn’t bat an eye at sisters [name]Susan[/name] and [name]Lucy[/name], granted they’re more common names than [name]Genevra[/name] and [name]Rowena[/name], but still. I’d bat an eye at [name]Susan[/name], [name]Lucy[/name], [name]Peter[/name], and [name]Edmund[/name], sure. Although I’d also smile : D.
If [name]Genevra[/name]'s your love, use it!
So I love me some [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]. [name]Read[/name] the books, saw the movies. Didn’t immediately make the connection. And even if someone does, is that so bad? Tons of people name children from names they read in books, see on TV, read in the Bible, heard in a song, etc. If you like the names, use them.
No, Illyria was the name of an ancient kingdom where Albania is.