thoughts?

I once hated this name, but now I love it! I was pronouncing it as purse-a-phone, and thought what an ugly name, but once I got the pronunciation right, I instantly fell in love with it.

From what I understand it's pronouned Per-sef-onie.

Sorry but I think this name is awful. NMS at all. I came across this name in a magazine article once and read it out to my sisters. We all rolled around laughing. For some reason it just sounds either mis-pronounced or very made up. If anyone can say Persephone 100 times a day they deserve a medal.

I like classic and old names, but I think in Australia it would be mispronounced too often and little Persephone would spend a great deal of time spelling it out.

I don't like it.

My cousin is Persephone. She is Stephanie in everyday life though. I like it. I also like Antigone.

I'm afraid that I have to agree with this.

I think it is a big name to lumber a child with. Not a fan. I think it reeks of trying to hard.

Risks "Phony" as a nickname, although that isn't an expression you hear very often these days.

I love it, not quite enough to use it, but it's pretty damn cool.

Persephone is a lovely name and most definitely not made up! However, the connection to Greek mythology puts me off a little - she was Queen of the Dead, and was also abducted from her mother.

I do think you'd have trouble with people not knowing how to pronounce it

I like girls names to be pretty and to me this is not pretty at all.

My DH is absolutely in LOVE with this name...

I had to argue til I was blue in the face to get him to chose another girls name (which didn't matter in the end, as we had DS).

My reasons were:
Its hard to pronouce (poor child dying of embarrassment in high school with some teacher calling them 'purse-phone')
They will have to spell it for everyone
Its very hard to give a nickname/shorten
They will probably just be called stephanie (as per PP)

I think its a gorgeous name. If you think you call pull it off, then go for it, but I have my doubts.

I like it but I prefer Hermione...

I think it's hideous. It has an alright sound when pronounced correctly, but the spelling ruins it for me.

Looking at it I would say it like Percy-Phone and think it's a boys name. I don't think it is pretty and/or girly at all.

Don't like it sorry OP!

I worked with a Persephone who was Greek and had a Greek surname and the name is just lovely. She often got Steph which is dealt with but she preferred to be called by her proper name of Persephone.

Love LOVE LOVE it.

I love it and considered it for my DD. I like other Greek girl's names too...

However having seen so many people in this thread comment that they wouldn't know how to pronounce it, I might think about using it as a middle name rather than a first.

Not a fan, sorry. I much prefer Penelope, or even actually using Stephanie which has been mentioned by some PP's.

No, I like uncommon names but this one is terrible!

I love it, but I think it might be a bit too much as a sibset with Atticus.

A bit over the top for my tastes.

I like the word but I don't think its a good name. Sounds too pretentious to me.

OP I think it's a beautiful name with an interesting history, unfortunately with Australia being the redneck wonderland that it is maybe not a great option.

I think you should go with something like Lily or some other top ten or generic name.

+ 1 lol!

I really like it, I think it's a lovely name.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this name. I actually had a discussion with my sister about it last weekend at a baby shower. She thought it was awful and I was saying how much I love it.
Despite what a few others have said I actually think it's a really pretty sound name. Sephy could also make a cute nickname.
Even though I do love the name I would never be able to use it with my surname it wouldn't match at all.

What will other kids shorten it to? Percy? Purse? Given that 'purse' is slang for 'vagina' in some cultures, I'd avoid it. Hold it for a middle name if you like, but I suspect the child will hate it as a first name.

I know an ADORABLE 3 year old named Persephone.
Everyone who has met her comments on what a gorgeous name it is.
She gets Sephy as a nickname.

Oh, I love Persephone! Then, it is may favorite Greek mythological story.

I can't believe people don't know how to pronounce it? Really?

I could like it, if not for the fact that in my language, perse means a*se. So unfortunately Persephone, and Persepolis, just make me snicker.

I like it. I like Greek names a lot.

Just realised she actually spells her DD's name:
Persephanie
It's the same sound though.

Persephone.... Who was tempted with pomegranate seeds by Lucifer and subsequently trapped in Hades forever... Lovely name, but I'm too superstitious to saddle a tiny baby with such a big story.

nice name, but would be hard, if you like p names, have you seen one of your PP's has Philomena (lovely name too!)?

Hades actually, no Lucifer in Greek Mythology. And he ruled the whole underworld, also known as Hades, not just Tartarus, so the connotations are not as negative.



Thank you

Sorry OP, even pronounced correctly I don't think it's a pretty name, and it's way too try-hard for me.

I grew up happily reading Greek and Roman Mythology (by 7yrs of age could tell you all the greek/roman myths and some Norse ones too).... so I am surprised when people think this is a made up name or do not know how to pronounce it.

I agree Hades and Lucifer are two very different connitations.

Really like it - it was on our list for our daughter

Also on our list, Solea. Similar names that might be your style:

Pierette and Portia, Millicent, Constance.

Thanks for the replies!

I swap daily between loving it and indifference. I too was a big mythology geek and that's why it surprises me that people cannot pronounce it but I think PP's are right in saying that Australians would likely butcher it.

Hades and Lucifer are very different things indeed and there is much more to her story than her abduction.

I quite like the NNs Sephy and Persy

I've told Princess Perky many times that i adore the name Philomena (I am very excited to see what she names her next bub!) sadly DH does not.

I love it, but I think it's a tricky name to find nicknames for, and is quite a 'big' name to wear on its own, day in and day out without a nickname to offer some relief!

Sounds like some kind of musical instrument. I don't particularly like it.

I've always liked this one. I'd consider it myself but I've already got a daughter with a Greek -e name.

Live with it for a week or two and see if it still 'fits'. That's how we reconciled with a name a tad on the unusual side.

Not really surprising when you see the way some people spell on these boards. Last year there were enough people that had trouble with the correct pronunciation of Antigone, when Princess_Perky_Tit asked about it as a possible name for Philomena. I was shocked that some actually thought it was Anti Gone.

Beautiful name but I do think she will spend her life spelling it

I totally disagree with the idea that a name can be too 'big' for a baby, or that naming a child after someone/thing that wasn't all 'Fairy tale/happy ending' is a bad thing.

FWIW I love Persephone but I do agree some people would struggle with pronunciation.

I can understand why some people would struggle to pronounce it, but I just have pity on them and their ignorance of awesome greek mythology (not that I am a greek myth nerd- I just really enjoyed learning it at school).

I think it's a pretty name, but would/could never use it.

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I love Greek mythology names - Persephone is lovely-sounding, and I've never met anyone with that name, which is a definite plus for me.

I agree she'd probably have to spell it a lot, but don't think that's a huge deal. I have to spell my full name most of the time, but I think it's worth it!

Besides, with the way creative spellings are increasing, and the general level of spelling is decreasing - everyone will probably have to spell their names soon. My friend Kate has recently had to start specifying that she is Kate-with-a-K on the phone