[name_f]Philomena[/name_f] and [name_f]Filomena[/name_f] are both names we have been throwing around as well. [name_f]Filomena[/name_f] is a spelling a lot more intuitive and in-tune with my Italian heritage. Filò or [name_f]Fifi[/name_f] would be the nicknames. We already have a daughter named [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] “[name_f]Fina[/name_f]” and think [name_f]Fina[/name_f] and Filò would be adorable.
I don’t think it’s too much, although it is a little close in sound to [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] for my taste. Other than that though, it’s got no more syllables than [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], and it’s relatively easy to read and pronounce.
[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name!
It’s a really beautiful name, I like Filli (Might be too horse, or the city?), but beyond those associations it’s a really cute NN. Not really a fan of [name_f]Fifi[/name_f], but I do know someone with the NN (in her late 20s, in my circle she is almost exclusively called this, so it’s no “weird” or poodle-ish to me, just wouldn’t be my preferred nickname). I am curious as to how Filò is pronounced. I think it’s just different enough from [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] to work.
Same as pp: I don’t like [name_f]Fifi[/name_f], and I think [name_f]Philomena[/name_f] is too close to [name_f]Josephine[/name_f]! Otherwise, I think people will call her [name_u]Phil[/name_u] which will be unavoidable (esp as she goes into school). It’s nms, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t work.
Personally I think it’s too much for a baby girl
The name [name_f]Fifi[/name_f] makes her sound like a dog, especially compared to [name_f]Fina[/name_f], and I doubt it would age up well
She will probably start going by something like [name_u]Phil[/name_u] or maybe [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] before she even starts middle school
I agree that it sounds too similar to your daughter’s name imo, not to mention I have a half sibling who’s name sounds very similar to mine and I don’t really like it (my dad will still sometimes say the wrong name since it has the same sound, even the nicknames…)
I prefer [name_f]Arabella[/name_f], [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] and [name_f]Valentina[/name_f]
(Note: [name_f]Fifi[/name_f] sounds a bit like a dog’s nickname, maybe I’ve just seen too many Parisian poodles with that name…it’s cute but not my first choice)
I don’t think [name_f]Philomena[/name_f] would be any more difficult to wear than [name_f]Josephine[/name_f]. I did know a girl called [name_f]Philomena[/name_f] (a few years older than me, so probably in her 20s now) who wore it fine, although she did just tell us to call her [name_u]Phil[/name_u]. It’s a great name with a cool meaning!
I think Philomena is a pretty name, with either Phila or Mina as a nickname (personally I think Mina is just darling!) And I don’t think it’s too close to Josephine either. They’re completely different names! Although maybe I can’t talk, my parents named me and my sisters Demetria, Alexandra, and Calyncia.
Thank you for the feedback so far, everyone. Yes, so maybe the nickname [name_f]Fifi[/name_f] is ridiculous, but I really like the suggestions of [name_f]Mina[/name_f] and [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and [name_u]Philly[/name_u] as well. I don’t mind the connotation of the city since we’re not from or living in the US.
I really like [name_f]Philomena[/name_f]. I don’t think it’s too much at all. It’s no longer than [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], plus it has several nickname options.
Out of interest, do you pronounce [name_f]Philomena[/name_f] and [name_f]Filomena[/name_f] the same? I would say [name_f]Philomena[/name_f] the English way and [name_f]Filomena[/name_f] the Italian way.
Lumen, I pronounce both names the same way, whether in English or in Italian. When I’m speaking Italian it’s fee-lo-men-ah. When in English [name_u]Phil[/name_u]-oh-mee-nah.