Is this firmly in the guilty pleasure zone or a quirky middle name choice?
[name_f]Persephone[/name_f] has become a new guilty pleasure of mine. I couldn’t see myself using it as a first name because the names I like for first names tend to be more traditional names like [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] and [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]. It doesn’t fit with them at all. I have been thinking of adding quirkier names in the middle such as [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] to spice up the combinations.
I was firmly against [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] as a real name for a long time. But when I realized it could be an avenue to nn [name_u]Peri[/name_u], I changed my tune. That being said, a somewhat unusual middle name when coupled with a traditional first name should always be okay, provided they flow well.
[name_f]Persephone[/name_f]
It’s effortless choice, very classic. She’s a lovely name with a lot of class. I can so see [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] as a great first and middle name but I think I have been influenced by nameberry as this name is flying around everywhere which makes me fall for [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] even harder and see her as a potential choice rather than a GP. I think she could work a short first name. Like [name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] or [name_u]Joyce[/name_u] [name_f]Persephone[/name_f].
: )
The name itself is pretty, but I wouldn’t want my child named after a flimsy goddess who is kidnapped and trapped in the Underworld, married without consent, and powerless to leave until springtime. I have a similar issue; I adore the name [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], but the Shakespearean maiden was exceptionally tragic. Classic names like [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] don’t have that specific connotation.
This… and the fact that I see phone in the name is why I won’t use it up front as a first. That being said it is a pretty name that I think is usable (though strongly associated with the mythological figure), so I won’t quite classify it as guilty pleasure. I think middle name is a perfect spot for it.
I think this name is ok. I would never use it, but I can appreciate the beauty in it.
That being said, I don’t think it would make the best combination with the classic names you like; [name_f]Madeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]. With the right name though, maybe it could be cool and edgy? [name_m]Just[/name_m] depends on the name you would pair it with I think!
I think it is usable and I don’t think many people actually know the story of the mythological figure.
You have to remember that Nameberry is loaded with name nerds (which is fantastic) but it doesn’t mirror our society. People who spend hours looking at names, searching for names and reading the stories behind them will know much more than the “average” human being. So they wouldn’t think, oh the poor child is named after… but they’d judge it by how much they like the sound (etc.).
So I don’t really think it’s a “risky” name.
I personally wouldn’t use [name_f]Persephone[/name_f], because when I first read it, I wouldn’t know how to pronounce it and I believe that others would have the same issue. For a middle name it is a great choice though!
I may be biased because my husband works with a woman named [name_f]Athena[/name_f] who has a daughter named [name_f]Persephone[/name_f], but it doesn’t seem that odd to me even as a first name. It’s most definitely usable as a middle name, you can get away with a lot in the middle.
I actually plan on using [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] as a FIRST name for a first-born daughter. If [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] can play in the sun, so can [name_f]Persephone[/name_f], which is much prettier, imo.
My daughters name is [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] so obviously I think it’s usable. My real life experience… Only 2 people in 5 months has known who [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] was but didn’t know the mythology. They just knew “Isn’t she a Greek goddess?” EVERYONE has gushed over how beautiful it is and how unique and pretty (and not in that way where you know they’re lying). The only people who have mispronounced it have been older than 50 and they said “perstephanie” and all the new people who read her name (doctors, nurses etc) have pronounced it properly, even the ones who didn’t know the mythology.
Also, her name potentially means something to do with sound as -phone denotes sound in Greek. She isn’t flimsy. She was one of the most beautiful goddesses and everyone wanted her. In [name_m]Homer[/name_m], [name_m]Zeus[/name_m] allowed Hades, who loved her, to take her (therefore she wasn’t truly kidnapped, but given to him by her father as was a common thing in those days). She lived in the underworld while her mother fought to get her back and ultimately triumphed. She was released and Hades gave her a pomegranate, and when she ate it, it bound her to the Underworld. She is only in the underworld during the [name_u]Winter[/name_u] but she’s allowed out the other 3 seasons. She is considered the goddess of spring growth. Her story is about being strong, persevering through your hardships…those sorts of things. [name_m]Homer[/name_m] describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the underworld.
Anyway, I think it’s beautiful and everyone who’s met her has gushed about how beautiful her name is. It has nicknames [name_u]Percy[/name_u], Seph, Sephy, [name_f]Effie[/name_f], [name_u]Perry[/name_u], Pony, etc.
I definitely agree about [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] working with shorter names. I’ve really like it with [name_u]June[/name_u] and [name_f]Alice[/name_f].
Thanks Dantea!
I was hoping you would weigh in on [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] considering it’s your daughters name. It’s great to hear about personal experiences with [name_f]Persephone[/name_f].
I think [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] is definitely usable. It’s beautiful, striking, dramatic, strong and has a ton of history behind it. People can and will learn to spell and pronounce any name- I live in a very multicultural area so I’m always encountering new ethnic names that I have no idea how to say/spell at first, but eventually when I get to know people I learn their names.
I love the name [name_f]Persephone[/name_f]! I think it so fun and different. Its sweet and sassy and can fit a wide array of people. I love the nickname [name_u]Percy[/name_u]! Plus the history just adds to it. The myth of [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] is so beautiful and sad but happy at the same time. I especially love the connection to springtime and to a spring time baby. I think it would be a great choice but not everyone is bold enough to use it, which works to us berries’ advantage. The child would be the only one in her class. I can’t find anything wrong with the name.