See the results of this poll: Bellatrix vs. Rowena
Respondents: 41 (This poll is closed)
- Rowena (nn Rowe/Rue) : 33 (80%)
- Bellatrix (nn Belle): 8 (20%)
I prefer [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] as a first name. [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is better as a quirky middle name choice. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though it’s the name of a star, it’s still strongly associated with the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] character in many people’s minds. [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] is a name which has been around since the 12th century. You may have some pronunciation issues because most people pronounce it like “ro-EE-nuh”.
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] [name_f]Fleur[/name_f]
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_f]Andromeda[/name_f]
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_f]Ginevra[/name_f]
I prefer [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] as a first. [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is a name I really like as a middle name.
I’m so glad you like nickname [name_u]Rue[/name_u]! I wish I’d thought of it, but Berries were the ones to suggest it to me for my still yet unnamed girly. It is really adorabe, both feminine and tomboyish at the same time.
[name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is a lot of name. It’s beautiful, but that darned association!
[name_m]How[/name_m] do you like [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f]? Too much?
I agree that you’re going to have issues with pronunciation with [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] as most will assume it’s [name_f]Ro[/name_f]-ee-na. I like the nn options better for [name_f]Rowena[/name_f], however.
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f], nicknamed [name_u]Rue[/name_u], is so adorable!
Like everyone has been saying, I see [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] as more of a middle name. I personally love [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f]
I’m not really overly fussed over pronunciation issues. I know most pronounce Row-e-na, but I really like it as [name_f]Ro[/name_f]-en-a, but really I love both, so its whatever goes. [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is definitely a possibility, however I do like [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f], which was one of the first suggestions for [name_f]Rowena[/name_f].
Re: Pronunciation issues. I think because there are so few people who carry the name in real life, you have some options when it comes to [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]. [name_m]Will[/name_m] teachers likely call her roh-EE-nuh? Maybe? Depends on where you live? (You’re in the UK?)
For the most part, the people who say your daughter’s name will be people she has introduced herself to, so they will say it just how she says it. As far as teachers, they generally only need be corrected once.
cosmonaut - Yes, I’m in the UK, but I’ve never actually known/known of anyone called [name_f]Rowena[/name_f], so that’s my confusion with the pronunciation. If I’m honest, her nickname will probably be used more than [name_f]Rowena[/name_f], at school age anyway - so she’s more likely to be more known as [name_u]Rue[/name_u] or [name_m]Rowe[/name_m]; however it turns out.
Also, with [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f], are there any other nn suggestions other than [name_f]Belle[/name_f]? Not [name_f]Bella[/name_f], because I’m really not keen on it by itself. Its just that with [name_f]Rowena[/name_f], I had always thought [name_m]Rowe[/name_m] until [name_u]Rue[/name_u] was suggested to me, and I absolutely love [name_u]Rue[/name_u].
Oh gosh, you may have just ruined my love for [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]. Definitely pronouncing it [name_f]Ro[/name_f]-nn-a (think [name_f]Sienna[/name_f]), because I don’t want anyone to think ‘weener’.
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] is pronounce [name_f]Ro[/name_f]-WEE-na, and it’s my favorite of the two names. I’ve always thought it was pretty and distinct. [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is pretty, but it’s also…torturing [name_m]Neville[/name_m] Longbottom’s parents.
I think that’s everyone’s automatic association with [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f], but as I’ve said before - there’s always positives. She was fiercely loyal (even if it was to Voldemort), she was determined, strong and ready to stand up for what she believed in (even if it was blood purity and wizards over muggles). I still think its a pretty name, and if I’m honest she’s still one of my favourite characters - one of those that you should hate, but you can’t help liking.
I really like [name_f]Bea[/name_f] for [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f].
I’m sorry that my comment was so harsh, but that’s my first association with that name, and a lot of people will see dark connotations because an entire generation devoured the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] series. Have you considered [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] and a first+middle combination? That would be very beautiful and take the stigma away from [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f].
I really like [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] pronounced [name_f]Ro[/name_f]-en-a, especially with the nn [name_u]Rue[/name_u]. For me [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] reminds me of [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] Lestrange in [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], which is not a good association. If other people haven’t mentioned it, every single one of those names have [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] associations, so it might be a bit much ([name_f]Rowena[/name_f] Ravenclaw, [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] Lestrange, [name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], [name_f]Narcissa[/name_f] Malfoy, [name_f]Andromeda[/name_f] Tonks, [name_f]Fleur[/name_f] Delacour, [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] [name_m]Granger[/name_m], [name_f]Ginevra[/name_f] “[name_f]Ginny[/name_f]” Weasley, [name_f]Luna[/name_f] Lovegood). I definitely would not do [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] [name_f]Narcissa[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f], as pretty as it is, because [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] and [name_f]Narcissa[/name_f] are evil sisters. Anyone of these are really great by themselves, but maybe not as a potential sibset or as a first/middle combo. If none of this bothers you, then go ahead because they are all nice names!
[name_f]EDIT[/name_f]: [name_m]How[/name_m] about the nn [name_f]Trixie[/name_f] for [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f]?
Since [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] and [name_f]Narcissa[/name_f] are sisters, I prefer not to pair them. I vote [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]. [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f] is very pretty.
I like [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] better than [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f]. [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] is softer and more useable in my opinion. [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] is too tied to the HP character, and while [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] is the first name of the creator of Ravenclaw in [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]… [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] is her first name, and isn’t too associated to her. Though a strong HP fan will notice the connection, and will associate the daughter to knowledge and wisdom… Which is a nice association without being too over powered by it.
There’s meant to be a [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] association - that was my reasons for picking all of the names.
What do you all think to Rowena Bellatrix Lily? I’m not sure on the flow? And Bellatrix Narcissa Lily, if you forget about the sister thing? Someone labelled Narcissa as an evil character, however I don’t particularly see that, and even if she was, she redeemed herself by the end of the series. I like the idea of Bellatrix and Narcissa together because Bellatrix means female warrior and Narcissa, daffodil - so to me, it would be like a strong but delicate girl? Bellatrix to me means strong and determined, as her character actually is, aside from the bad things, and both Narcissa and Lily were mothers that were fiercely protective of their sons. Lily is strong, brave and loving, so together I like the meaning. Not to mention that Narcissa and Lily are some of my favourite names, and its kind of a half way for me and the OH? I like the nn Bea as well, although I’m still very much in love with Rowena.