Message: "Xanthippe" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Xanthippe

by Edina (bathos)

2/12/2011, 6:28 PM

I really love this name, it's so beautiful and cheerful. Unfortunately, I can't use it for a child in Hungary.
WDYT of Xanthippe? Is it usable elsewhere? What do you think of these:

Xanthippe Dilshad
Xanthippe Juniper
Xanthippe Narges
Xanthippe Niloufar
Xanthippe Ophelia

and/or what would you pair it with?

#Xanthippe

Replies

- Caitlin žita (earthnut)

2/15/2011, 10:05 AM

I think it's totally cool, but it would get totally butchered here in the US. It would be pronounced ZAN-thip unless the person was well educated and would be spelled all kinds of ways.

- Fiammetta (lady murasaki)

2/14/2011, 8:54 AM

I don't think it's usable anywhere, it's too reminiscent of Socrates' wife, who didn' have the best of reputations.

- Maggie (writersblock242) +1

2/13/2011, 7:04 AM

I JUST read about her in school a few days ago...I was the only one in the class who could pronounce it on first glance...

Xanthippe Ophelia is darling!

- Edina (bathos)

2/13/2011, 2:02 PM

Yeah, that happened to me a lot when I was learning about Mythology.

And thanks.

- Dracotorix +1

2/12/2011, 10:15 PM

I like it! It's cool-looking, cool-sounding, and I like the meanind. I really like it with more unusual mns like Dilshad and Niloufar! Xanthippe Niloufar is my favorite of your combos (although I like them all). I might try pairing it with Saffron or Epona for the sake of redundancy; and maybe things like Tabitha, Dorcas, Jasmine, Ayda, Amaranta, Noor, Nura, Nur, India, Indira, Inara, Iona, Ianthe, Heliantha, Kalliope, Cleia, Hera, Juno, Violet, Undine, Ursa, Andraste, Siofra, Farida, or Leilani as well.
I'd probably only use it as a mn IRL though; or with the nickname Xanthe.

This message was edited 2/12/2011, 10:16 PM

- Edina (bathos)

2/13/2011, 1:58 PM

Wow, thanks! :) Great suggestions. My favorites are Farida, Leilani, Noor, Saffron, and Ursa.

- nomenphile +1

2/12/2011, 8:46 PM

I have liked this name for a long time. I think it could work here in the US; the pronunciation isn't really that obscure. Unfortunately, however, there is no Saint Xanthippe.

- Edina (bathos)

2/13/2011, 1:52 PM

That's actually a plus for me.

- Catalina (Catalina-lirio) +2

2/12/2011, 7:18 PM

I think that it might be usable, at least in some parts of the US or Britain, perhaps more cosmopolitan areas. It's very unusual but more... I don't know what word to use here. Maybe cultured? Not like a kr8yvly spelled band name or anything. I actually like it a lot, and it has some room for nicknames too. You do, however, have the spelling/pronunciation problem with this name, big time.

I would go with Xanthippe Juniper or Xanthippe Ophelia for the combos. Mostly because, in my opinion, such an unusual name is easier with a more "normal" middle name. Ophelia and Juniper still have more character than Jane or Rose-type MNs, but are easier for the general public.

Just a question: is there a particular reason it can't be used in Hungary?

- Edina (bathos) +1

2/13/2011, 1:51 PM

Thanks for such a well-written response. I was worried it may be mistaken for a kr8ive or made up name. And good point about middle names.

I can't use it in Hungary because it isn't on the approved list of names (yet, anyway). Even if it was, the pronunciation would be butchered. X also isn't a letter in the Hungarian alphabet (though it's recognized as a foreign letter)- which doesn't stop Alexandra from being a very popular name, but then again that's an extremely well-known name, unlike Xanthippe. So it'd be very difficult to have, much more so than in the US or Britain.

- Sofia

2/13/2011, 1:55 PM

Do you have a link to the list of approved names? I'd be very interested in seeing what's on it:-)

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