Message: "Artemis" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Artemis

by jeziana

6/29/2007, 10:08 AM

A bit further down there was a thread on names people associate with Harry Potter, and how people ignore the fact they have strong history or mythology behind them, and it reminded me of Artemis Fowl.
Artemis, in my opinion, was a strong and powerful feminine Greek goddess, and now a popular male character has that name a lot of my friends told me that Artemis is way to masculine for a girl to have. Any opinions?

Though I have found Artemisia, which I quite like as a mn :)

#Artemis

Replies

- Silvie (Silversliver)

6/29/2007, 10:15 AM

Artemis is a bit of a masculine sounding name. Even before I'd heard of Artemis Fowl, I thought so. However, with people naming their daughters things like Madison and Avery and Taylor, I don't see why that should be a problem. At least in this case, it's actually a female name, whether people know it or not. And, personally, I think it's gorgeous. :)

Artemisia, too. I'd love to see that on a little girl, fn or mn,

This message was edited 6/29/2007, 10:16 AM

- Laurea +1

6/29/2007, 10:33 AM

I've read the books & hold a BA in classics, so now the name seems more unisex than before. Yet, I'd assume Artemis was a girl, and if I'd use it, it'd be on a girl. I'd prefer Artemisia for a girl or Artemas for a boy. (According to CKE, Artemas was a companion to Apostle Paul. http://www.behindthename.com/bb/arcview.php?id=704059&board=baby)

- jeziana

6/29/2007, 10:35 AM

interesting.. thanks for that :)

- Becki (dreadfulxsorry) +3

6/29/2007, 10:47 AM

Though I originally saw it as a more masculine name, now I can think nothing more of a goddess. Feminine. If I were to hear a man with this name, it would be hard for me not to envision the virgin goddess in my mind. =/

Still, it's kind of masculine. Then again, I have a female friend with the name Orion, and I think it fits her well.

- jeziana +2

6/29/2007, 10:53 AM

I think of the virgin goddess too, but a lot of people just see masculine Artemis Fowl, which bothers me a fair bit.

- Becki (dreadfulxsorry) +1

6/29/2007, 10:56 AM

I think the name works well for either sex, and I like it the best out of all the versions of Artemis existing. It's a beautiful name; don't let one famous reference ruin it for you. :)

- jeziana

6/29/2007, 11:17 AM

I'll try for it now to ;) thanks

and this is off topic but I love the names in your profile!

- YMPvt

6/29/2007, 10:50 AM

I think Artemis is very feminine, and I like it quite a lot.

Artemisia is to flowery and sounds sort of made up in my opinion, I would stick with Artemis on its own. Artemisia does seem to flow well as a middle name though.

- Bear

6/29/2007, 3:44 PM

I love that the HP books are bringing back great names like Hermione. I doubt many in the newest generation would have heard of them but for the HP books. My glass is half full. :-)

As for Artemis, I grew up in the 70's watching re-runs of "The Wild, Wild West." One of the male characters is Artemis (Artemas?) Gordon. So it took a while to get used to Artemis as a girl's name. It irritated me to see the Artemis Fowl books in stores because I knew the lines would be blurred again.

Friends named their dd Artemis Sophia, nn Artie. Cute as bug's teeth.

P.S. I find Artemisia absolutely gorgeous! It gives me an excuse to use the nn Mimi, but I realize that's not everyone's cup of tea.

This message was edited 6/29/2007, 3:46 PM

- Marija Luminitsa

6/29/2007, 6:49 PM

I love Artemis and Artemisia, but then I am a huge Greek name enthusiast. :-)

This message was edited 6/29/2007, 6:49 PM

- KatjaKai

6/30/2007, 7:05 AM

I think it's awfully pretty, and as I don't associate it to the books, I don't think it's masculine.

View Message

Replies