Isis, Bellatrix, Pandora, Ophelia... lovely, yes...but not on my daughter?

Girl Names
1

I love the name [name_f]Isis[/name_f]. Exotic, strong, ultra-feminine and archaic. Yet, I don’t think I’d name a daughter [name_f]Isis[/name_f], even though I love it…I guess for the same reasons I wouldn’t name my daughter [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Pandora[/name_f], [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] etc …I think because the ‘dark themed’ undertones/ associations of these names detract from its suitability as a child’s name…well, at least for me…

Am I reading too much into it?? Are these names still useable for the vast majority of NBs? Or, do they exude the same, “…lovely name, just not on my daughter” response?

Alternatively, do you have a list of names you love but can’t use because something about them makes them off-limits/ off-putting?

2

I agree 100% I love word names so some of my likes cross the boundaries of good taste but I’m a stickler for not wanting anything with a dark theme.

3

No, I still think [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] is totally usable. The others I’d have to agree with you on, though. :slight_smile:

4

For me [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Isis[/name_f] and [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] would still be usable. [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] not so much. I think of [name_f]Pandora[/name_f]'s box all the time.

6

I think they’re usable (maybe not [name_f]Isis[/name_f]), but I tend to not care about associations once I actually hear a name on a real person. Especially mythological or fictional ones, although it depends on how much I love the name. For instance I heard of and liked [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] before reading the series, so (despite the character) I still quite like it, plus it has an astronomy connection. Otherwise I personally have to dislike the personality of the character to see a name as unusable ([name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], [name_f]Bella[/name_f]). Or a name linked to something/someone negative in the modern world ([name_f]Isis[/name_f], [name_m]Adolf[/name_m] etc.).

But in general I seem to be drawn to names with not so great associations; [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] is my favourite name, [name_f]Morgana[/name_f]'s pretty high, [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is on my list (but replaced by [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] as a first), and [name_f]Lillith[/name_f] ([name_f]Lilith[/name_f]) is on my favourites list. I’m probably not the best person to ask. :stuck_out_tongue:

7

I have [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] on my list, I love it! I’d also use [name_f]Isis[/name_f] and [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], they seem fine. Not [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] however, as I’m English and the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] films are extremely popular here.

I can’t think of any other names, except from [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f], that I wouldn’t use because of its darkness.

8

I think [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], [name_f]Isis[/name_f] and probably [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] are useable. Not too sure about [name_f]Pandora[/name_f]…what a shame because it’s a lovely name.

9

So very interesting to read everyone’s responses :slight_smile: Some of you confirm my hesitancy in using these names and others think certain names are quite useable…

Raindaygarden - Interesting to read you also feel like these names (and other similarly “iffy” names) are just unsuitable for children…so, perhaps no matter how many times I dismiss my reservations or attempt to find justifications to use them, the “doubt” will always taint my enjoyment of them…but I really want to throw caution to the wind and say heck, ‘I love these names and I love them on others so I’ll use them’, but then, I just think about the negative associations and my enthusiasm wanes once again…wanted to see whether I’m being pedantic, conscientious, ridiculous etc.

Steampunkleo - I admit, it was good to see you think [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] is useable…wish I could muster that same feeling consistently without any doubts.

Little_Billie - Interesting that you consider [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] unusable and the rest fine…I guess you must recall a particularly bad version of the [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] myth lol!

Tfzolghadr - I agree, [name_f]Roxane[/name_f], the wife of [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] the Great, isn’t a namesake you would want to bestow on a child - not much sisterhood going on with her.

Myosotis - Good to see you’re drawn to some of these names too and find most useable…I think that’s great…they’re such wonderful names, I’m glad to see people embrace them…they really are gorgeous - especially when I hear it on others in person or read it on NB lists/ signatures like your own.

Eoxima - So interesting you’d use all of them except [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f]… haven’t read the HP series but heard about [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] elsewhere…it was my nieces and nephews that turned their collective noses up at the name [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f]…so, this name doesn’t give off bad vibes for me personally, but to family members, which is why I find myself reluctantly letting it go…but nice to hear you have [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] on your list too…great name, so too [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] and [name_f]Isis[/name_f]!

Jessieo - You’re like Little_Billie i.e. all but [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] are fine…it’s so fascinating to see how diverse people’s opinions re which names are fine and which names are off-limits for one’s own children. Yes, [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] is lovely, I agree with you.

Thanx NBs for your very helpful, interesting P.O.Vs and comments :slight_smile: xx

10

[name_f]Isis[/name_f] makes me cringe now, I used to love it but now all I think of is the terrorist group. [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] is pretty, but it just reminds of the jewlery store, and the girl who released evil into the world in the ancient Greek myth. [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] reminds me of the evil witch in [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], but I think [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] is usable. As for my own unusable names…

[name_u]Artemis[/name_u], although this is a guilty pleasure name, my family and friends are religious and would not like it at all if I named my child after a goddess.

[name_f]Ella[/name_f], it’s really pretty, not to mention the go-to nickname for so many names, but it was the name of a girl who tormented me in high school.

aaliyah/alia/aliyah, this one has a nice sound, but all the variations would be such a burden on a child.

[name_f]Elena[/name_f], this is my grandmothers name, so it’s very sentimental, but as a greek, there it’s pronounced E-[name_m]LEN[/name_m]-A like [name_m]LEN[/name_m] as in [name_m]Lenny[/name_m]. And I don’t think I could stand everyone calling my daughter E-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-NA because it would feel like it lost the beauty of my grandmothers name.

[name_f]Madge[/name_f], [name_f]Paige[/name_f], [name_u]Paget[/name_u], [name_f]Minerva[/name_f], [name_u]Piper[/name_u] etc. Basically every name not pronounceable in the romantic language group due to close relatives.

11

I think that there are names that you just can’t see in your own kids for whatever reason. Sometimes it seems like they’re too this or too that but in the end they’re just not for you even when other people tell you that those names are perfectly fine. Personally I can totally see my future daughter as an [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], it’s actually one of the few names I can actually see myself using. I don’t think the names you mentioned are too dark even though [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] is a bit too much for my liking.

12

I adore [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], though her tragic association is definitely the one major flaw I see in the name. [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] I find usable, as I’ve seen in used in a variety of books etc. which lessen the strength of the box association. The others I feel are too much. Perhaps [name_f]Iris[/name_f] instead of [name_f]Isis[/name_f]?

13

I wouldn’t use [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f], mostly down to personal taste. It’s too tied to [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] for me, although the fact the character is bad doesn’t bother me.

[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] is 100% fine.

[name_f]Pandora[/name_f] is questionable but I like it.

[name_f]Isis[/name_f], I absolutely adore and would think it’s entirely usable. BUT with the recent media coverage of the terrorist group [name_f]ISIS[/name_f] I’m super worried that it’ll be spoiled forever. I know a little [name_f]Isis[/name_f] and she’s absolutely gorgeous (her dad is Egyptian, she was named after the [name_f]Goddess[/name_f], so I wouldn’t worry about the myth being too negative)

14

Opheliaflora - I think it’s wonderful you’d choose [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] for a daughter’s name! It’s a beautiful name. I just get ‘twitchy’ about it when I think of personally using it for a child…I’m not sure why I have such persistent reservations with these names…but I do…but I’m glad to hear you don’t think there should be any reason not to use these names…that’s a breath of fresh air :slight_smile:

Bibliophile - Great to hear you have no objection to [name_f]Pandora[/name_f]…and yes, [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] does have that tragic Shakespearean legacy…but should that be enough to discount a name? As for [name_f]Iris[/name_f], I just don’t find it as pleasing to me as the name [name_f]Isis[/name_f], otherwise, it would be a great suggestion and name alternative. Cheers :slight_smile:

Oliviasarah- Interesting to read your P.O.V…[name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] and [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] are more or less okay with you, but [name_f]Isis[/name_f] is now out-of-bounds because of prevailing news events in the media…yes, I guess [name_f]Isis[/name_f] would now be questionable to consider for a child…which I think is sad, especially because the “religious organization” that supposedly appropriated the term [name_f]ISIS[/name_f], religiously object to any mythological namesakes…thus, I doubt whether an “Islamic” military organization called “[name_f]ISIS[/name_f]” exists…such shady organizations probably have some other name(s) but [name_f]ISIS[/name_f] is “catchy” for the fear-mongering Western media outlets wanting to increase their audience numbers…so yes, you’re right, [name_f]Isis[/name_f] would be seen as by many as totally inappropriate & frowned-upon for a baby’s name right now, at least in the immediate future…thanks for your comment :slight_smile:

15

I know a lovely [name_f]Pandora[/name_f] (nn Pandy or Panda), and she has (not to my knowledge) never had the dark association with [name_f]Pandora[/name_f]'s box. Still, I wouldn’t use it because of the Greek myth. [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is too Lestrange for me, and I don’t like it that much anyway (I like Belladonna though, but I wouldn’t use it because of the poison factor.). [name_f]Isis[/name_f] I don’t have a problem with: yes, she was an Egyptian death goddess, but also a goddess of rebirth. You have to remember that to Ancient Egyptians (as far as we know), death was pretty much what they were preparing for their whole lives, and she was a favoured goddess.

I adore the name [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], but the connection to [name_m]Hamlet[/name_m] is too much, especially as I am a big [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] fan- and [name_m]Hamlet[/name_m] is one of my favourite plays. I have read it so many times now. For this reason, I prefer the [name_f]Ofelia[/name_f] spelling. I actually prefer that anyway.

[name_f]My[/name_f] list of love it, but wouldn’t use it (for fairly obvious reasons):
Girls:
[name_f]Santa[/name_f]- (for either. Why [name_f]Santa[/name_f] [name_m]Claus[/name_m]? Why? It is such a gorgeous name.)
Goldberry- ([name_m]Tom[/name_m] Bombadil’s wife in LOTR. I love it- but my future daughter would probably stab me if I named her that. I usually hate names with ‘gold’ in them, but I love this.)
Rosebud- (Ditto the future daughter hatred.)
[name_f]Aphrodite[/name_f]-(a bit much for anyone. She is the Greek goddess of beauty and love: THE most beautiful thing ever. And she seemed a bit sly, etc.)
[name_f]Lupe[/name_f] (too close to loopy.)
Badger (‘Quit badgering me!’)
Ducky
[name_f]Thisbe[/name_f] (she was basically [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]. I don’t like those sorts of namesakes. Wonderful name though.)
Thaïs (too difficult.)

Boys:
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]- (I know. I can’t help it. I saw it on the top 1000 for boy’s in the 1890’s, and I love it, especially in the combo [name_m]Henry[/name_m] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f].)
Lemony- (a description, not a name, in spite of Lemony Snickets- I’m guessing that is a pseudonym. Lemony Snicket’s sounds like a type of biscuit though.)
[name_m]Jiminy[/name_m] - (I wouldn’t want them to go through life being called [name_m]Jiminy[/name_m] [name_f]Cricket[/name_f] and hating me for it.)
[name_f]Snow[/name_f]- (I have never seen GOT, I’ve only read half of the 1st book, and don’t particularly like [name_f]Snow[/name_f] White as a character.)

16

Thanks for your reply Nooshi :slight_smile:

It’s always lovely to hear a girl called [name_f]Pandora[/name_f], such a lovely name. I also love the name Belladonna (because it’s a great sounding name and because of the [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] Nicks association)…but like you, I’m not enthusiastic about the nightshade aspect lol!
Interesting that [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is not a great name for you but [name_f]Isis[/name_f] is fine and so too [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]…it seems everyone’s opinion on a name differs for various reasons…it’s never the same reason – which is to be expected of course…but it’s still fascinating that we all perceive a name so differently…

Re [name_f]Ofelia[/name_f], that’s a nice name…but I do like the traditional spelling…

Re your list of “off-limit” fav names, here are my thoughts:

[name_f]Santa[/name_f]- never considered it before…
Goldberry- yes, I can see the appeal too…
Rosebud- and this too is a lovely name…
[name_f]Aphrodite[/name_f] - great namesake, maybe a middle?
[name_f]Lupe[/name_f] - lol, yes, indeed, far too close to “loopy”, but then so is [name_f]Luna[/name_f]!
Badger - this is a surprising name… quirky to say the least :slight_smile:
Ducky - ha! I like Kitten so why not Ducky :slight_smile:
[name_f]Thisbe[/name_f] - mmmm…not sure about this one…
Thaïs - looks nice on paper…

Boys:
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f] - I can see the appeal
Lemony - different…
[name_m]Jiminy[/name_m] - fun…but not quite grown-up for a masculine adult male…
[name_f]Snow[/name_f] - love it!

Thanx for sharing your list and your feedback Nooshi :slight_smile: !!!