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Help[Opinions] Septimus
What are your opinions on the name Septimus? It is a character in a book I am reading.
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I think it's cool but I wouldn't use it IRL because every boy who watched Tranformers would say it sounds like Optimus as in Optimus Prime.
I tested out Septima for a girl once and DH made the association even then.
I tested out Septima for a girl once and DH made the association even then.
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Seems book-ish. And old roman. And a bit like 'septic'. And seven-y. And not very usable today.
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If you're reading Mrs. Dalloway, I'd think Septimus would be ruined for you. It is for me.
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Books aren't evidence. IRL, even if I met a Septimus who literally did have six elder brothers, I'd still think it showed a failure of imagination by the parents. And if I met a Septimus who was an only child, say, I'd regret the parents' choice. It sounds good, and of course Sextus would be impossible - Tertius happens, also Quintus and Quentin, possibly even Octavius though usually without the number meaning - but it's long enough to need a nn: Sep would be too close to Sepp (like the nasty Herr Blatter) and Seb, so there's a likelihood of confusion.
Thinking about it, I'd prefer Sebastian. Nicer name; same length; similar vibe.
Thinking about it, I'd prefer Sebastian. Nicer name; same length; similar vibe.
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I do, I do! Vielen Dank, Gladys - it doesn't sound very euphonious to my non-Catholic, non-German ears - all those -s endings - but, hey, it's wonderfully meaningful.
Have you ever read or seen "The Barretts of Wimpole Street"? A play about the 19th century poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, eldest child of a very large family - she was a distinguished poet in her day, not so much in ours, and an invalid. Falling in love with Robert Browning, also a poet and a wonderfully handsome, exciting man, she overcame her handicaps, learnt to walk, and walked out of her very repressed family for ever. Father was a total tyrant, and kept everyone firmly under control. Dreadful man. Anyway, he had I suppose 11 children by his late wife, who was horribly afraid of him; the 2 youngest boys were Septimus and Octavius. And there were 3 girls. Maybe the sheer awfulness of that long-ago family has warped my appreciation of Septimus!
Have you ever read or seen "The Barretts of Wimpole Street"? A play about the 19th century poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, eldest child of a very large family - she was a distinguished poet in her day, not so much in ours, and an invalid. Falling in love with Robert Browning, also a poet and a wonderfully handsome, exciting man, she overcame her handicaps, learnt to walk, and walked out of her very repressed family for ever. Father was a total tyrant, and kept everyone firmly under control. Dreadful man. Anyway, he had I suppose 11 children by his late wife, who was horribly afraid of him; the 2 youngest boys were Septimus and Octavius. And there were 3 girls. Maybe the sheer awfulness of that long-ago family has warped my appreciation of Septimus!
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Quite pretentious.
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It should stay strictly a character name, and even then it's kind of goofy.
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I dislike it, it makes me think of septicemia.
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I like it. I've liked it ever since reading a book where the main character was named Septimus. Maybe it's the same as you're reading? I don't remember the name of the book, but he was the seventh boy and it was a book for children/teenagers.
That said, I think it might be a little too much. I would prefer it as a middle name, unless the siblings had just as facny names, something like Flavia, Linus, Emmeline, Rowena..
That said, I think it might be a little too much. I would prefer it as a middle name, unless the siblings had just as facny names, something like Flavia, Linus, Emmeline, Rowena..
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I can't edit my original post since I wasn't logged in; but I just realized that I was talking about Septimus Heap. Great character, though.
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All I can think of is Septimus Heap. I can't think of Septimus without also thinking Heap. The two are welded together in my mind... septimusheap. Heh.
But, if for a moment I was able to battle away that association, it's very Latin-y. It's got to mean seven something... right?
(searches)
So it means seventh. Interesting..
But, if for a moment I was able to battle away that association, it's very Latin-y. It's got to mean seven something... right?
(searches)
So it means seventh. Interesting..
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Intriguing... Can I ask what book?
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Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolff
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I haven't read it yet, but it's one of her most popular novels, isn't it? I will have to Kindle it, I'll get back to you on the name once I have ;-)!
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