Bohemian girls' names-- poll

[steerthestars]

I really love unusual girls' names inspired by places, art and nature. I'm interested in seeing what you think of these names. Are these workable on a real person?

[consultantmeghan]

I like Ariadne and Cadenza. They seem unique but useable on an actual person.

[ladymacsteph]

I think Ariadne and Cadenza are the most accessible, and I could also see Phaedra being used (there was recently one born in the local hospital, and I live in a somewhat small town). I like the idea of Olympia...maybe on the right person? She'd have to be confident though. I think Calico, Magenta, and Lumina could work if they went by nicknames (Callie, Maggie, and Luna/Luma), but none of the three really seem usable by themselves.

[daisy451]

I love Ariadne! Cadenza is nice too, and I think pretty wearable. I've heard of Luma, which could be a more accessible alternative to Lumina. Luna would work as well.

[agirlinred]

The only names on your list I don't think are wearable are Iphigenia Lark, Phaedra Neptune, and Poem Antigone. The rest are usable if not a little out there. Lark Iphigenia would be usable, I think, instead of the other way around. My favorites are Ariadne, Lumina, and Cadenza.

[greyer]

I like Ariadne, Cadenza, Poem, and Phaedra. Iphigenia is a guilty pleasure of mine.

I wouldn't use Olympia in the first name slot even though I LOVE the name. I'm an art history major so in my case it would absolutely be in honor of the painting Olympia, by Manet. But while I was doing research on the painting I found out Olympia wasn't the name of the model. It was a generic name for prostitutes in Paris at the time, I have no idea why. But knowing that about it kind of turned me off the name, even though no one else would probably know it at first glance.

[steerthestars]

I love Manet, but my inspiration for Olympia was more my love of the riot grrrl movement-- a feminist punk rock movement that grew out of Seattle and Olympia, Washington. So knowing that Olympia originally referenced prostitutes but was then reclaimed by feminists would be a cool thing to explain to my imaginary daughter when she got older.


Iphigenia I imagine would go by the nickname Genie, which I love. But I absolutely adore the full name.

[thetxbelle]

@greyer here's an interesting article on why the name is associated with prostitutes http://history-of-art.blogspot.com/2...shock.html?m=1

FWIW Olympe, French version of this name that was apparently used more than Olympia for prostitutes is currently on the rise and has always been steadily used in France. I know two of them and as far as I know no one has ever associated it with prostitutes. Olympia is not common but in recent years according to INSEE data it's been on the rise. Thanks for the Olympia/Manet comment I've read some pretty interesting things after googling about it!

@steertgestars I don't think there's any legit need to reclaim the name but it would still make a cool name. I was a big fan of bikini kill and bratmobile when I was younger

[nat108]

I don't consider Olympia or Phaedra unusual, they're more seen in older generations (I used to work at a nursing home)

Most of these sound like you're trying too hard. I like "out there" names but there needs to be a balance.
Ariadne makes me think of spiders
Calico: a cat
Cadenza: trying too hard, I'd think "Why not just Cadence?". Also a Kia
Lumina: a lightbulb, also a Chevy

Some of these would sound better if you switched the order
Phoenix Ariadne
Lark Iphigenia
The only one that works as is is Olympia Niamh. Poet Antigone would be the best

[spicemama]

I went to college with a Phaedra. I will always remember her correcting someone who called her "Phaeda" by saying, "I'm not going to fade away, fade away!" It was apparently not the first time someone had made the mistake. It just doesn't have an appealing sound to my ear. I think Cadenza and Olympia are the most usable.