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?
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).
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).
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. 🤷♀️
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.
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.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
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.
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 names@ So, many names in history have sadness and death behind them!
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 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.
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.
Re: Ophelia
Also I think it's a beautiful name!
DD - 12/28/17
TTC #2 3/2019
BFP 5/2019 || MC - D&C 5/2019
BFP 2/2020 || EDD 10/10/2020
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Me 34 DH 34
PCOS
Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
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.
Baby #2 Due 3/7/20
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 names@ So, many names in history have sadness and death behind them!
I personally think of the song by the Lumineers, too.
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.
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.