Nickname options, favorite middle names to go with it?
My biggest hangup isn’t even the [name]Hamlet[/name] reference, it’s that our surname ends in -a (“uh” sound). I tend to avoid names that end in -a because of this. Is that just my silly personal naming rule, or do you tend to do the same thing, too - avoid first names that end in the same sound as your last?
I agree with you about avoiding names ending with -uh. On one hand, I think [name]Ophelia[/name] could be a great name, but on the other hand, I might worry about middle school “feel ya” jokes.
I agree with you about avoiding names ending with -uh. On one hand, I think [name]Ophelia[/name] could be a great name, but on the other hand, I might worry about middle school “feel ya” jokes.
eplj
Thanks for responding, eplj!
[name]Glad[/name] to hear it’s not just my own crazy thing.
I do worry some about teasability, though my desire to give them a name that will serve them well outside of cruel schoolyard antics outweighs it, I think. Kids find a way to tease, regardless of whether the name makes it easy for them. I know I got plenty of teasing, name-related and otherwise.
That’s true. If you think too much about teasability you’ll rule out every name. I’ve had that discussion with my husband several times. I think [name]Ophelia[/name] would be very striking with a short, simple last name.
I think it’s too much for a first name. The (Ped)[name]Ophelia[/name] jokes are just too glaring for me. If you really love it though I think it would make a great middle.
No, I don’t think it’s too heavy for a little girl.
I’ve posted this many times: I think [name]Ophelia[/name] is an absolutely gorgeous name, and it is so unusual but I don’t think that it’s too out there. I firmly believe that [name]Ophelia[/name] from [name]Hamlet[/name] was a strong character who has been thus mistreated and misrepresented - after reading [name]Lisa[/name] Klein’s “[name]Ophelia[/name]” I feel like it should be an inspiriation for any girl who is going through a hard time, or any girl at all.
As for the surname, I’m personally not sure. I agree that any name has the possibility of being a tease-enducer: frankly, I agree that they’ll find a way. The thing that irritates me is that it’s o-phee-lee-a, not o-feel-eya or whatever. >.>;
So I’m all for it. It’s beautiful, different and has substance.
NOTE: as for the (ped)[name]Ophelia[/name] jokes, I’m not sure. There are lots of ‘ophelias’, if you will, and I personally didn’t think of it at all. It would make a fantastic middle name just as much as a first name, too!
I love the name. I think kids will find a way to tease with ANY name, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. It is a cute name on a baby/toddler/young girl, and a beautiful name for an adult, too.
[name]Every[/name] time someone has asked about this name I feel the need to respond because I would hate to see you become deterred from this gorgeous name due to possible teasing issues. Children can tease one another despite what their name is, so that’s really not a factor for me unless the name is something like [name]Hyman[/name]. (I just saw that in another post! Eeek!) Someone else mentioned that [name]Ophelia[/name] is very “striking” and that’s exactly how I feel about it. It’s an incredibly beautiful, feminine, uncommon name that even I would love to have myself. For nicknames, it’s a bit difficult, but I like [name]Fee[/name], or maybe even [name]Fifi[/name] for something fun when she’s really little. But you don’t really need a nickname with a short, lovely name like this. [name]Don[/name]'t be discouraged by those who don’t like [name]Ophelia[/name]! I honestly would never have thought of the “I’ll feel ya” or “pedophelia” references unless I had read them before on nameberry. I love your choice! Good luck!
My honest thoughts on [name]Ophelia[/name] are it’s an absolutely beautiful name that is underutilized! I don’t think it has any more teasing potential than any other name.
But, I would be concerned about a rhyming/similar sounding first and last name. I won’t consider -ette or -etta names, because our last name ends with -ette.
I love the name [name]Ophelia[/name], but would never use it on a child. It is prone to teasing. The “oaf” part in the beginning, plus the others mentioned above… It also doesn’t have many good nicknames. But to each his own!
[name]Ophelia[/name] hasn’t been our front-runner because of the common -a ending between it and our last name. It’s a long-time fave of mine, though, from before my marriage (and therefore before I knew what last name the kiddo would have).
My fave nn was Ophie (kinda like [name]Sophie[/name]) for quite a while, until I said it out loud - Oafy. Ugh, haha.
Anyway, thanks for all the thoughts! I fully agree that it’s a long-overlooked and underused name, and I actually really love the reference to [name]Hamlet[/name]'s [name]Ophelia[/name], one of the most fascinating characters out there (I don’t care that she’s not the picture of happiness). It’s a shoo-in as a middle for quite a few of our first name choices, but I don’t think I’d ever get over that -a.
Wonderful name. I would love to see it used. Agree with other posters – one can’t discard all names that might inspire teasing. I know a woman named [name]Amy[/name] who said kids tried to use Aim Toothpaste against her – which rather proves some kids are looking for ammo and will find it – anywhere and everywhere.
I think the Shakespearean character is largely misunderstood. I’m glad to see women are changing that by telling their side of the story (the novel mentioned).
As for the name – reminds me of [name]Sophia[/name] – yet not wildly popular and not seen everywhere. Beautiful. Delicate. Strong. Striking. Unusual. [name]Ophelia[/name].
(For sake of full disclosure, I used this for a dog. Started as a joke, but I came to genuinely love the name. [name]Simon[/name] and Garfunkel had a song at that time, “[name]Cecilia[/name], you’re breaking my heart.” My brother used to sing it to my dog substituting “[name]Ophelia[/name]” for “[name]Cecilia[/name].” It was darling, makes a sweet memory.)