Message: "Zenobia" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Zenobia

by New_Chloe

9/30/2009, 3:56 PM

I did one of those silly "quizzes" on Facebook, and got this as my "Old Person Name". I rather like it, but I see it's got nothing but bad press in its comments section.

I am not sure if I would be brave enough to use it, but I do enjoy it a great deal. It's interesting and has great history.

WDYT of Zenobia? :)

#Zenobia

Replies

- Alcyone

10/1/2009, 12:58 PM

I think it's lovely, but I prefer Zinovia, which is on my list. Zinovia is a rare beauty. The spelling Zenovia is nice too.

- Guinevere (vomiting)

10/1/2009, 2:28 AM

I really like it. I went to school with a Zenobia and her identical twin, Natalia. I don't think of it as 'old' at all.

- Buttons

10/1/2009, 12:32 AM

I quite like it in the mn spot. Tina Fey has a daughter called Alice Zenobia and I think that combo is just stunning.

- Arcadia

9/30/2009, 10:37 PM

It's allright, though a bit of a mouthful! I'd so use the nn Zenna. I just think that's fun. :)

- queenv (guest) +1

9/30/2009, 5:50 PM

It reminds me of "Ethan Frome." Zenobia in the book was a cold, selfish, sickly, unpleasant woman who made Ethan her husband very unhappy, so the name has an unpleasant connotation for me. In the book, Zenobia was often called Zena. Zena is actually kind of cute.

- New_Chloe

9/30/2009, 5:53 PM

It does have a rather "cold" feeling to it, doesn't it?

- magicalhannah7

9/30/2009, 5:36 PM

I actually like it. It's cool and unusual, but I like Zenovia better because it seems to flow better.

- Marija Luminitsa

9/30/2009, 4:41 PM

I would have been thrilled to have that result. I love Zenobia.

- Capucine +1

9/30/2009, 4:22 PM

I don't like the -b, so I prefer the variant Zenovia.
I think it's rather cool but I wouldn't be "brave" enough to actually use it on a child. Your "supermarket test" is just brilliant :-D
But no, I really can't see myself calling "Zenovia, put that back! Now!" ;-)

Same with Genoveva / Genovefa. It's cool in theory, but using it for real? Hmmmm... no.

- New_Chloe

9/30/2009, 5:58 PM

lol, thanks!

I consider the "supermarket test" to be my strongest measure of a name's usability. ;)

I see what you mean about Genoveva too. I can see myself yelling "Genevieve!!!" but not "Genoveva!!" Reality ruins the best name plans, doesn't it. Harumph.

- M.T. (Cyneburga) +1

9/30/2009, 4:11 PM

I really love the way Zenobia looks & feels but I just can't imagine calling someone by that name. Well, I guess id call her Zena for short. I dont know for some reason it makes me think of a "place" and not a person. I tell you though im a sucker for fresh, unique names and this is definately different. =)

- New_Chloe

9/30/2009, 4:17 PM

Yeah, me too - my "test" for a name is to imagine calling it out in a crowded supermarket.... and I just can't see myself shrieking "Zenobia, you get over here this instant!"

But I agree with you. I'm a sucker for fresh names too, and this certainly fits the bill :)

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