Ophelia

coffeeB4tea · May 2019

We are expecting a girl and brainstorming names. DH’s current favorite is Ophelia and I like it as well. At first I thought the Shakespeare reference would be fine/manageable, but after reading some opinions online I don’t want to pick a name that would immediately give people a negative opinion of her. Thoughts?

MJDsquared · May 2019

Maybe I'm going to sound uneducated, but I couldn't tell you a thing about Shakespeare's Ophelia. I'm going to guess I've heard at some point, but it left my brain. I think of the Lumineers song first, actually (a song I love, so positive association).

Also I think it's a beautiful name!

harpseal135 · May 2019

Not a fan

SmrBrd2012 · May 2019

I love ophelia! Pretty, less common, and a legit name.

Casadena · May 2019

It's not my style personally, but I think it's pretty and it's a legit name. I have no negative references even knowing Shakespeare's Ophelia.

mercury94 · May 2019

I definitely associate it with Hamlet. I think it’s a pretty name, but I think it is unlikely she’ll get through high school without reading Hamlet, so that is something to consider. (Not necessarily a reason to avoid the name, though).

doodleoodle · May 2019

I think if the Shakespeare reference is a problem for you then you should save yourself a lot of angst and just cross it off your list. In my experience, you’ll second guess yourself your entire pregnancy and then end up going with something different anyway. 🤷‍♀️

coastalmomma2 · May 2019

I immediately think of Shakespeare's Ophelia, and Ophelia was not a particularly strong character who met a tragic end. But, if you like that style several of Shakespeare's heroines have great names: Miranda, Viola, Emilia stand out to me.

Wishilivedinflorida · May 2019

Love Ophelia! It’s honestly refreshing compared to more recent name trends and more popular names going around now.

bbiutmcph · May 2019

I like the name a lot. It’s a big name to give but at the same time I do love it in a sea of lee/Lynn/lay/ley names

meggyme · May 2019

I love the name Ophelia, but I do initially associate it with the Hamlet character who goes crazy and kills herself. I would imagine if I knew an Ophelia that association would go away pretty quickly.

nerdtoyourmother · May 2019

I don't think you need to be held up by the Shakespeare reference. I think you have struck gold with an uncommon, easily recognizable, vintage/timeless name, and you should use it if you love it!

You'd be hard pressed to google any name + 'crazy person' and not get results - all names will have good and bad associations to someone.

lm45678 · May 2019

I love Ophelia! Nn Phi (fee) is super cute too

magsugar13 · May 2019

Hamlet is my favorite SP book.
Ophelia my favorite character, so i have a very hard time seperating it.

However, i love the name! Just because she has a tragic end doesnt mean yoiu sgouldnt use it. If everyone did that with every name, we wouldnt have many [email protected] So, many names in history have sadness and death behind them!

letitbewild · May 2019

Ophelia is a beautiful and whimsical name! It is pretty and refreshing amongst a wave of misspelled, “quirky”, mashed-up-with-lynne names. There are definitely a few names she could go by as she ages, too; Lia/Leah, Phe is cute, Oli, were she to prefer something gender-neutral.

I personally think of the song by the Lumineers, too.

captainanna · May 2019

I absolutely adore the name Ophelia. It is a beautiful name that sounds enchanting, romantic. The meaning is "helper" which is sweet. I suggested it with my first girl, but husband nixed it.

I have a degree in English literature and Hamlet is my favorite Shakespeare tragedy. Ophelia as a reference to Shakespeare could create a bit of a problem, but I think that she is a fascinating character.

Ophelia has a lot of cute nicknames as well, as mentioned above.

If you are concerned about the depressing nature of the reference to Shakespeare, perhaps add a "happy" middle name to counteract it? Ophelia Hope is beautiful. Ophelia Love (hippy but cute), or just pair it with a middle name that has a bright meaning.

captainanna · May 2019

letitbewild said:

Ophelia is a beautiful and whimsical name! It is pretty and refreshing amongst a wave of misspelled, “quirky”, mashed-up-with-lynne names. There are definitely a few names she could go by as she ages, too; Lia/Leah, Phe is cute, Oli, were she to prefer something gender-neutral.

I personally think of the song by the Lumineers, too.

I love the Lumineers, and the song Ophelia is such a cute song. You should listen to it, it might help you be fully sold on the name.

Ophelia

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