I really like the name [name_f]Peony[/name_f] - the flowers have a personal connection for me (my grandmother used to live in a huge house with massive gardens - and peonies were always growing there because they were some of my grandfather’s favourite flowers (apart from daisies), he passed away when I was 15), but I’m worried it might be open for teasing (although [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] ends in the same problematic sound, and [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]'s ok to use).
I love the flower (it is one of my favorites too) but I find it a bit awkward for a first name. Maybe you could use it as a nickname for [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] or [name_f]Penelope[/name_f].
Gorgeous flower, teasable name. For me [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is Puh-[name_f]NELL[/name_f]-uh-pee and [name_f]Peony[/name_f] is PEE-O-nee. The Pee part is first & foremost and has more stress/emphasis on it. I think the N that comes after also makes it easy to turn into a penis joke, it could be said like “Peeny”. I would use it in the middle if it was especially meaningful. [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] is nicer imo.
Of course, I do think that names are more varied and name based teasing is less popular than it was when I was in school. I just see an invitation for potty humor that would put me off. Good luck!
[name_f]Peony[/name_f] is quite dainty and pretty, but seems a bit cutesy for an adult. I have a hard time imagining it on someone who isn’t an absolute sweetheart- someone grumpy or pessimistic or whatever. IDK, it just seems so cheerful to me. I think it’d be better as a fun middle though, with a traditional/classic first. Something like [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f] or [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f] would be lovely. Using [name_f]Peony[/name_f] would be a great way to honour both your grandparents too. If you’re using it as a first, other “modern” sounding names, or subtle nature names, would be nice: e.g. [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], [name_u]Hudson[/name_u], [name_u]Harper[/name_u], [name_f]Lark[/name_f], [name_u]Wren[/name_u].
I think [name_f]Peony[/name_f] is really pretty. But, as others have pointed out, there is a potential for teasing nicknames. I agree that having it as middle name might be a great way to honor your grandparents, while pairing it with a more substantial first name. For example, I love bonfireazalea’s suggestions of [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f] and [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f].
Honestly, I think most people would feel awkward with [name_f]Peony[/name_f] as a first name. It’s not just the pee sound, it’s the pee on me sound. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] little flower, and I can appreciate the prettiness of the name, but it’s middle only in my opinion. I don’t know many 12 year old boys who could resist the temptation to tease, and I usually say that teasing potential of a name doesn’t matter. In this case, I think it does.
Thanks everyone, I think I will keep [name_f]Peony[/name_f] in the middle spot - really liking the suggestion of [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f] because [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is my mother’s name and [name_f]Peony[/name_f] would be honouring her parents. However, then I’d need to honour my dad’s side and his name is trickier. What do you guys think of [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] (Mad-el-lyn) [name_f]Peony[/name_f] or [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] [name_f]Peony[/name_f]?
I love [name_f]Peony[/name_f], but I worry a lot about the potential for teasing. It also reminds me of [name_f]Peony[/name_f] [name_m]Lim[/name_m], so it’s nice to know that there’s at least one person out there wearing the name [name_f]Peony[/name_f] and doing well for herself.
I think that [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f], [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f], and [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] [name_f]Peony[/name_f] all sound great!
I too love peonies, they are one of my favorites! I agree that as a name it’s a little close to “pee on me” for comfort, though.
[name_f]Peony[/name_f] as a nn for [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] or [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] would work, and [name_f]Peony[/name_f] as a middle name would be lovely.
[name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] [name_f]Peony[/name_f] is lovely, and my favorite out of the three you listed. Such a shame that the pretty flower has such an awkward sound for a name. I love Peonies, but it just opens too many teasing doors. Sigh…
Actually, I wouldn’t ever give a child/consider a name that I wouldn’t like to have - so yes, I would like it if [name_f]Peony[/name_f] was my name - especially if I knew it had a sentimental meaning.