I’ve always loved the name [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] and I keep returning to it. The HP association has always made me really hesitant but as the original franchise fades I’m thinking it may be more usable especially in the UK where we are.
However I just wondered if people think of it as a name that can be ‘dated’? One of the main things I value in names is their ability to be timeless, suiting baby/girl/teenager/woman and not being linked back to a specific fad or period in time. Is [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] in danger of always being a name of the 2010’s?
If you think it is too linked to that period in time and the HP craziness, do you have any suggestions of timeless names that have a similar feel? For instance I love [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] and think it has a similar ‘vibe’ but have concerns about it being shortened to [name_u]Izzy[/name_u]…
Many thanks!
Edit:
Extra question- what do you think of Hennie as an informal, more casual nn for Hermione?
I think if you’re located in the UK it’s far more useable than say the USA or [name_f]Canada[/name_f] where that would be the only association.
From what I know (limited knowledge) it’s not a completely uncommon or unheard of name there. I think [name_f]Hennie[/name_f] is a cute nn for it. And no the name doesn’t sound dated, I think it’s timeless due to it’s origins in Greek Mythology.
As for [name_f]Isadora[/name_f], I agree it has a similar vibe, although it seems to fit in a lot easier with a lot of more popular names ([name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] etc.). As for your concerns, my two cents is this. A) If you pick a nn you like and use it from the start, it’s less likely that she will be called [name_u]Izzy[/name_u]. B) You can’t control nicknames. Eventually she will be off in the world and may get nicknamed [name_u]Izzy[/name_u], if she likes it, she will keep it. If she doesn’t she will correct them and say “Actually it’s [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]”
You know, it’s funny because at one point I might have said it’s too closely associated with [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] (despite the other mythological origins) and that it feels dated to that time period. However, a couple years ago I met a beautiful grown woman named [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] and she wore it extremely well. I mentioned something about how striking it was to hear that name on an adult whose parents chose it before the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] craze hit and she was like “yeah! I always liked my name and now I love it even more because of the character!” And her shining positivity about it just really made me love it.
Regarding the nickname question, I could see a few options working. I think [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] would be cute. Or [name_f]Maia[/name_f]/[name_f]Maya[/name_f]/[name_u]Mio[/name_u] (like the two middle syllables of the name).
I think [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] could be usable. It’s Shakespearean, literary and vintage and I think the fact it’s so distinctive means it’s hard to ‘date’ if that makes sense? It doesn’t seem tied to a particular era.
[name_f]Hennie[/name_f] is a cute nn!
I like [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] a lot!
Some other names that remind me of [name_f]Hermione[/name_f]:
[name_f]Evelina[/name_f]
[name_f]Cornelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
[name_f]Eliora[/name_f]
[name_f]Morwenna[/name_f]
[name_f]Ilaria[/name_f]
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f]
[name_f]Elspeth[/name_f]
Sorry if they’re not quite right in style
I think [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] is gorgeous, and definitely usable.
In regard to your concern about it potentially seeming ‘dated’ in years to come, I really don’t think it will. [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] is timeless. I have no doubt children, for decades to come, will read, watch and adore the series as much as we all did/do now, so no, I don’t believe it will link back to a specific decade at all. [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] has been going strong for a good 20 years, and I really don’t see it dying out in any sense, perhaps the hype yes, but never the beloved story.
[name_f]Hermione[/name_f] is a brilliant character, and I think any girl would be lucky to have such a fantastic literary character as a namesake.
Kids today still love HP
There may even be new books soon
If you don’t want the association I would skip it
It’s so seeped in the character
There are many lovely alternatives
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f]
[name_f]Isolde[/name_f]
[name_f]Selene[/name_f]
Thank you all for your replies! It’s so useful to hear other people’s opinions!
My husband and I named our daughter [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] in 2017 (in the US). I’ve always loved the series and character, but that wasn’t the only reason we chose it. Most of the response has been positive, and while we get a lot of feedback regarding the HP series, that association fades as people get to know our daughter. In fact, I was hesitant to use the name as well, but it’s been amazing to see how my association with the name is now more connected to my baby than to the character. She’s her own person, and she wears it well. We intended to nickname her [name_u]Hero[/name_u] and/or [name_f]Minnie[/name_f], but mostly we call her by her full name or Mione (which she’s starting to say!). Also, I think the HP connection is a positive one, and hopefully one that my daughter will happily identify with (especially considering how influential that series was to my husband and me). Though be prepared for a lot of baby gifts (clothing, toys, etc.) related to the series!