Shira

lizzels

I've had Shira (pronounce shee-ruh) in my name poll for a while and it has never gotten good results.  It is DH and my favorite girl name, and even since before we got married two years ago, we talked about how we would use the name Shira for a girl.  It means "song" in Hebrew and it is pretty common in Israel and Jewish families in the U.S.

Now, I still love the name, but I am wondering what you guys think - whether it is just a nms thing or if you think it is actually an awful name.  brutal honesty is welcome.

And, if you do think Shira is an okay name, what middle names starting with "E" do you think sound good with it?  We want to honor the memory of my grandmother (who was Edith) by using that letter. TIA!

ajgreez

I like it, but I used to watch that cartoon when I was a kid!  It's cute.

Middle name.........  How about Elizabeth?  I know it's a common one right now, but it sounds cute together.  Or Erin, Emily, Eliza.

teamla2000

I love it, and would use it myself if I were Jewish.  I know of a Shira who is in her teens right now.  I don't really think she got much "princess of power" teasing.  The spelling isn't the same, and her brothers' names are quite obviously Jewish, so it works perfectly.

teamla2000

Oh, and...

Shira Eleanor
Shira Eve
Shira Esm?
Shira Elise
Shira Eloise

mfransdell

Like He-Man and She-ra? I LOVED that show!!

EXL311

All I can think of is She-Ra princess of power. 

CourtneyRDH

What about using another Biblical name like Esther??

Poplin2007

It's ok.  I think of She-ra, too, but that show is so dated I doubt her peers will have ever heard of it anyway.  There are a ton of E mn that you could put with it...  Elaine, Elizabeth, Elise, Eleanor...

LMS05

Names that are not familiar or are older (dated) tend to not do well. I actually think it's beautiful. Shira Elizabeth is nice.?

lizzels

thanks replying everyone.  I know the she-ra thing is one reason some people don't like it.  There was a girl in my elementary school class when I was a kid named Shira and we teased her about it sometimes - but that was in the late 80s/early 90s when the show was actually on tv. I doubt kids now have ever even heard of the show.

Thanks also for the middle name ideas.  Elizabeth and Eliza are out b/c my name is Elizabeth, and Emily is out because DH's ex-step-sister's name is Emily (although I LOVE that name, DH has nixed it.)

I think Shira Elise is my favorite of the names people have said, but I like Eve, Elaine, and Eleanor, too. thanks again for the feedback. It's nice to hear that most people who dislike the name personally don't think it is a bad name. I know it isn't everyone's style, but I wouldn't want to use a name that makes people cringe when they hear it, either!

berryblndgirl

EXL311:

All I can think of is She-Ra princess of power. 

This.

Phoebe Halliwell

It's nms personally, but in your case, I dunno, I kind of like it. It's unique but not totally out there, it's lovely and feminine sounding, both you and your DH love and agree on it, and it clearly has ethnic meaning to you. Plus, it has a lovely meaning in and of itself.

As far as name combos go, I personally think Shira Eloise sounds divine.

CourtneyRDH

Shira Elise IS pretty!

lizzels

Shira Elise has been our favorite name for years.  I'm glad some people agree

Rose.9.6.03

I love Shira - but I'm partial to Hebrew names b/c I have one myself.  I've known a couple Shiras and never even thought of the She-Ra reference.  I don't think it would be an issue among her peers at all as the show has been long gone. 

naflmj

I think of the cartoon but maybe kids wouldn;t since it is not on anymore. Given the association, it's nms

Wan-naBe

i simply wouldn't do this to anyone that i love.

maltwin1

EXL311:

All I can think of is She-Ra princess of power. 

This is what I was thinking too. Its NMS, but if you love it then go for it.

As far as E names, I'm a fan of Shira Elise or Shira Elizabeth

2linesin09

EXL311:

All I can think of is She-Ra princess of power. 

<--- immediately thought of this. I just don't like this name. I can't get away from the cartoon connotation.

jlynnr87

I am actually not against it. I like that you both love it and that it has meaning to you.

I'd consider Elizabeth, Elaine, and why not Edith? Since it is family and all! GL!

teamla2000

Wan-naBe:

i simply wouldn't do this to anyone that i love.

If you are part of a Jewish community, or live somewhere where there is a high Jewish population, I honestly don't think Shira is a surprising name. ?Besides, as someone else mentioned, She-ra was so long ago that kids of her generation will rarely have heard of it.

Lizzels, I am voting Shira Elise, it was also my favourite from the suggestion list. ?;) ?I figured from your user name you couldn't use Elizabeth - otherwise I would have suggested it, as it's my name too! ?:)?

star678

Princess of Powerrrrr is all I can think of.  Also, for those who tell you "her generation won't know this," that's probably true, but think of all the things we know from our parents' generations.  Plus, teachers and other adults in our age group WILL ask her about it/ say things to her. 

I remember a friend I had growing up who was named after some soap opera character from the 80s and a bunch of adults and our teachers would always ask about it.

shanwalk2

I have a friend named Shira.

She pronouces is Sh- iiiiiira.

No She-rah

I think it's pretty.

amyfelice

If it makes you feel any better, I am 39 and i have never heard of this cartoon. I have heard of the name Shira, being Jewish and it's nice, but nms. DH has never heard of it either. I don't think it should be a major concern. Every name has mocking potential.

austenreader85

I had a classmate in high school named this, I think it was spelled that way too, and I've liked it since.  I LOVE that it means Song.  I've run it by DH and he's always said no.  I remember voting for this in your poll and I liked it then.  If its your favorite then go for it!

As for middne names starting with E:  Elizabeth, Eliza, Elise, Elisa, Ellyse, Emily, Evelyn, Esther, Eleanor, Ellen.  I even like Edith.

Borghesa

wait, is it She-rah or Shy-ra? I think that makes a big difference. I love Shira (shy-ra) Elise!

august20th

Being Jewish, I know girls named Shira -- I definitely think its a pretty name. Don't think my friend got teased much. Go for it!

kirs10nBryce

I like it but I'm sure the fact that I know a really cool woman named Shira has a big influence on my perception of the name.  I think it would be great.  As far as mn's, what about Evelyn?