Message: "Bathsheba" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Bathsheba

by Andromache (Hannah Ruth)

5/27/2015, 12:41 PM

I saw Far From the Madding Crowd this evening, the heroine's name is Bathsheba Everdene.

WDYT? Do you think this name is recoverable at all?

NB: Bathsheba is pronounced 'BATH-she-buh' in the film.

Sometimes sentences don't end the way you think they salad.

http://annorasponderings.tumblr.com/

http://circumvented.tumblr.com/

#Bathsheba

This message was edited 5/27/2015, 12:41 PM

Replies

- Emma Rose

5/30/2015, 9:26 AM

Hm, I don't really like Bathsheba.

- blaaaarg (blaaarg) +1

5/29/2015, 6:05 AM

Culturally unrealistic. I love it.

- New_Chloe

5/29/2015, 6:19 AM

asdfghjkl;

First Kellie appears, now you - I am hyperventilating

- Pie

5/28/2015, 8:28 AM

It's in use, so clearly it is usable, although it strikes me as the sort of name that would only work if you were at a private school with other oddly-named kids. I enjoy it but wouldn't use it, even though there was one in my family. (I have no idea what she was called for short - hopefully Sheba and not Bathie!)
Betsabé & Bethsabée are much prettier, imo.

- Caprice

5/28/2015, 4:24 AM

I don't like it. It reminds me of the evil woman from The Conjuring and the only association I have with Sheba is cat food. Sorry!

- Fiammetta (lady murasaki)

5/28/2015, 1:35 AM

Not really, it's clunky and the story has too many sexual implications for me.

- autumn23

5/27/2015, 9:54 PM

I work in a movie theater on weekends so when I saw the trailer, I knew l had to see the film. I fell in love with this name from the moment I saw it (I tried and failed to get through the book before seeing the movie).

I think Bathsheba is totally usable: its beautiful and yet strong. It does seem like it would be a bit hard to pull off today but at the same time I can absolutely see it on a confident little girl.

- FictionPrincess31415

5/27/2015, 6:56 PM

Oh god, not a fan at all. Sounds like a type of name that may of been fine and dandy back in the day but in the modern world, is very pretentious and stands out to much.
Sheba although not fantastic is significantly better. The "Bath" part in Bathsheba gets to me. I can only imagine the cruel jokes and mockery that could recieve

Sheba can work.

This message was edited 5/27/2015, 6:57 PM

- Dreamwalker (Katana_fawn)

5/27/2015, 5:59 PM

I do love the name. However, nicknames for it can be unpleasant or misunderstood- Bath can easily become Beth, as can Bat become Bet. Sheba is a lovely name in my opinion!

- Sofia

5/27/2015, 5:05 PM

I like Bathsheba as long as the nicknames is Sheba and not Bat or Bath. I think the first part might make it difficult to bear in real life.

- queenv

5/27/2015, 5:00 PM

I love it but as a GP. I don't think it's usable. OTT.

- New_Chloe

5/27/2015, 12:48 PM

I love Bathsheba. Loooove. It became more usable for me after I saw it in the movie "Notes on a Scandal", where Cate Blanchett's character is a modern Bathsheba "Sheba", a high school art teacher. So I think it's totally recoverable.

Also in the movie there is a cat named Portia. I support naming cats Portia.

View Message

Replies