(no subject)

[moldycelery.livejournal.com]

What are your thoughts on using names from mythology? For example, names like Kali, Aphrodite, Thor -- that sort of thing. I've noticed that a lot of people seem to be naming their children after various mythological gods, and I'm kind of undecided if I like it or not. Some of them are okay, like Bran or Athena, but then something like Persephone just makes me think of a pet name.

Do you think it's worse if it's from a foreign culture? Such as some of English descent naming their child Ishtar, a diety in Mesopotamian mythology.

Comments

[jordle.livejournal.com]

I really like Antigone for the sound of the name but with the way it is spelt I could never name a child it.

[areyoustrange.livejournal.com]

Mm, me too.

[areyoustrange.livejournal.com]

I think if it's a reasonably normal sounding name -- not Snotra or Polyhymnia or Mnemosyne.

[moldycelery.livejournal.com]

Is there seriously a god called Snotra?

[brunhildevalkyr.livejournal.com]

Well, we pagans have a tendency for favoring names of Gods and Goddesses when naming our children. My oldest son's middle name is Gwydion which is a Merlin like figure from Welsh myth. If the child I'm carrying is a girl her middle name will be Sophia, a goddess of wisdom in the Gnostic tradition.

I think as long as the name isn't too strange there's nothing wrong with using the names of Gods and Goddesses. I don't think you need to worry about naming children after pantheons that aren't from the same heritage either. The names I've chosen aren't related to my husband and my Germanic heritage. However, if I hadn't named my cat Freya I'd certainly be considering that and I've considered a Norse/Germanic deity name if my work in progress is a boy..

*groan*

[fireyirishangel.livejournal.com]

My fiance's FAVORITE girls' name is Persephone. I have to constantly tell him "no", starting well before I was pregnant, all throughout my pregnancy, and now that I've already given birth -- for our hypothetical next daughter, I suppose.

I hate it. I think it sounds ridiculous. He also likes Athena and assorted others that I hate and have blocked out.

It's a miracle that we could actually agree on name for our daughter. A freakin' miracle.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_x_blackroses_x/]

I like a lot of mythological names, I see nothing wrong with them at all. ^~ Even if they're from a foreign culture, that's perfectly fine...

[areyoustrange.livejournal.com]

Surprisingly! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snotra)

[dragoncrab88.livejournal.com]

I like a lot of names from mythology- matter of fact Hera is in my top ten for female names. Some names are too out there for a child of these days I think but there are others, like Hera, that I feel would fit fine and be rather lovely.

And I really wouldn't mind if the name comes from a foreign culture but I guess some would find it odd.

[a-groovy-gypsy.livejournal.com]

I used to babysit a sibset named Thor, Odin and Erik. :) I loved their names.

[coolteamblt.livejournal.com]

Me three. Ever since I read the play in junior high, I've liked that name.

Re: *groan*

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

I think Persephone sounds very close to Penelope, so you could get by with it :) but, of course, if you don't like the name yourself, that's a different issue.
I know a girl whose name is Atena, italian version of Athena.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

I don't have any specific favorite among deities, except for Hindu goddess Parvati, but if my SO was keen on one, I wouldn't be against it.
Just as long as it isn't too weird or out-there, but that goes for any name.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

*if my SO were

sorry, left my grammar home today :PPP

[slayerkate.livejournal.com]

I love mythological names, and so does my husband, but we just can't seem to agree on which ones we like. He had the idea that if we had a son, to name him Loki. I told him that was just asking for trouble. But I love the name Minerva, though I'd probably use it as a middle name. And Persephone is one of my favorite names, too - although that has more to do with The Matrix trilogy than anything else.
We have a name theme, because we both have M as a middle initial, and his first name starts with a J. I don't know if we'll get to P.

[fruhlings.livejournal.com]

I love mythological names!

my favorites are:
Helen
Penelope
Daphne
Electra (but I'd never name my kid this, lol)
Deirdre
Cathleen
Leander
Paris

[searlait.livejournal.com]

I love mythology and my favorites are Penelope and Sophia.

[barelyshocking.livejournal.com]

I love mythological names as well. I really don't think it matters whether you're Greek or Indian or from Scandinavia. When you think about, our heritage and family histories span way back to who knows when, so I don't think it matters what you name your child. I think it is a sign of respect, in a way, naming your child after a much loved deity from another culture's mythology.

I too love Persephone. I've ALWAYS ALWAYS loved names from the Iliad. I've dreamt of having sons named Achilles, Odysseus, Ajax, Hector.etc. Not sure if this will happen. Perhaps as a middle name. Achilles, especially, is a very strong, bold name.

[aquilinum.livejournal.com]

As a teen, I wanted to name my daughter Polyhymnia, both after the muse and the Madeleine L'Engle character (named for the muse).

Call her Poly or Polly, y'know? Christ, better than Kylee/Raylee/Rylie/Bailey/Bile.




.... I'd still maybe consider it....... shhh.

Re: *groan*

[aquilinum.livejournal.com]

I like Persephone a LOT! It's out of the ordinary, meaningful, strong, and unequivocally feminine without being overly age-specific or "cutesy".

[areyoustrange.livejournal.com]

Christ, better than Kylee/Raylee/Rylie/Bailey/Bile.

Yeah, you have a point. I'd rather be called Polyhymnia.