Xanthippe (nn. Xanthe)

Hubby and I just came across this, and oh my - hoooow stunning!!

Thoughts??

It’s a little complex [name_f]IMO[/name_f] and something is off about the sound to me, but I adore just [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]. Xanthippe would make a fantastic unusual middle name though.

Xanthippe seems a little over the top for me. it feels a bit like it would work in an upper crust English family, but other than that, I can’t see it working in a regular, run of the mill school setting. It seems a bit too complicated? [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is a beautiful name in its own right, I would just use that instead.

I really dislike it, sorry.

Sorry, not fond of it.

Xanthippe automatically makes me think of Unbreakable [name_f]Kimmy[/name_f] Schmidt. It’s not my style, especially because of the likely pronounciation issues. [name_m]Xan[/name_m] is hilarious on the show though!

Makes me think of Unbreakable [name_f]Kimmy[/name_f] Schmidt too, and the name in the show was supposed to be a joke to how ridiculously pretentious her family is. I don’t dislike Xanthippe but I think people are more likely to find it weird and pretentious, just like the show. I prefer just [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] since I think it’s different enough as it is.

I agree with the two PP. I think its overly complicated, and [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is pretty without being over the top.

I would go straight to [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]. It is gorgeous and much more wearable.

Growing up, my neighbor down the street was named Xanthippe (and her children were Xoe and [name_m]Xander[/name_m]). She was a Midwestern, suburban mom (although a pretty cool one)–and it totally worked. I think if it was feasible in this scenario, it could work again.

The downside: I imagine the spelling and rarity could cause quite a bit of trouble for both parents and child. That’s a name you have to spell out slowly and clarify every time. Is that a burden (however large or small it actually ends up being) you feel comfortable hoisting upon yourselves and another person for the rest of their life?

I loooove [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], but Xanthippe is an awful lot of name. However, it is super striking and rather fabulous, so if you feel confident that she (and you) can pull it off, go for it! [name_f]Tippi[/name_f] would be another cute nickname possibility.

I’m going to break the trend and say I love it! I have always loved [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] and like you recently discovered Xanthippe from the show Unbreakable [name_f]Kimmy[/name_f] Schmidt.

As others have said, the name was meant to be a joke. It may be pretentious. It is a name that people will have an opinion of, and often that opinion will not be nice. People aren’t going to filter their opinions like they would with say [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. If other names you like are also more eccentric, I say go for it. But as [name_f]Katinka[/name_f] said, be confident in your choice.

For the record I love it…but I also currently love [name_f]Ouida[/name_f], and [name_f]Thelma[/name_f]…not exactly the style most people are using these days

At first, I didn’t like it (the ending sort of throws me) but I like it the more that I think about it! I think it is very pretty! Honestly, [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is ‘out there’ as it is…it isn’t that big of a step to Xanthippe. I say go for it!

I don’t really know the show. I’ve seen one episode and thought it was terrible. So I could care less about that connection.

My first and last name are Greek, and I always have to spell them for people. It’s really not a big issue, and it makes for good stories and a laugh when people muck it up. Hubby and I are used to it. Plus I’d rather our children have to spell their names, then be called something boring like [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] because “everyone can spell it”.

All I can think of is Unbreakable [name_f]Kimmy[/name_f] Schmidt, and even if you don’t watch the show, I think a lot of people would associate the name with it (and it’s supposed to be a joke in the show about how pretentious and ridiculous of a name it is). I don’t actually love the show, and although I’m not the biggest fan of the name itself, I’d steer clear of it because of the association.

I adore Xanthippe. I think she’s just divine. I think if you have the confidence to use her, go for it (I don’t have that confidence myself, unfortunately).

I don’t find spelling an issue as I feel like even the most common sounding names these days have such varied spellings that it’s impossible to know. I think pronunciation would be a major confusion to many, however, a simple correction (or two) and Xanthippe should be fine. I’d say though, if you’re planning to use [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] as a common nickname, growing up, I feel like Xanthippe is almost sure to go exclusively by [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] to avoid the further confusion in a name she may rarely use.

For me, I’m an introvert that hates being the centre of attention (but that does love quirky and unusual names), so for that reason, I couldn’t see giving my child a name that would have us stand out so very much like Xanthippe would - I’d feel much more confident in using just [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], myself.

I triple agree. [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is the perfect balance of distinction and class.

I don’t like it, sorry. [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is nice though.

I think it’s awful. [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is much more wearable.