Message: "Jocasta?" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Jocasta?

by Antique_Cherub

6/9/2010, 7:54 AM

I'm really beginning to like the name Jocasta! What do you think of it?

Thanks!

#Jocasta

Replies

- Kitty (vomiting)

6/10/2010, 6:15 PM

I like it.

Well aware of the association. Still like it.

- abbasdaughter

6/9/2010, 4:50 PM

not a fan... makes me think of fishing... Jo, casta net... Jo, casta line...

- Pie

6/9/2010, 3:37 PM

It's interesting - definitely more interesting as a full name for Jo than most of the other choices. There were 79 Jocastas born in the UK between 1984-2005, so it's obviously shedding the Oedipus thing a bit. I like the look of it, but when I say it, it comes out as Joke Aster, which is not so good.

- kudriashkajo (guest)

6/9/2010, 12:55 PM

I've been finding it interesting lately too. I like the potential nicknames Jo and Cass/Cassie more than the name itself I think. Personally, I have no issues with the association, because I doubt many people in the general public would really think of that.

- Mireio (guest)

6/9/2010, 9:24 AM

It's ok. I once met a male Jocaster.

I prefer the similar Jocosa though.

- BBH

6/9/2010, 9:22 AM

I adore it. It's so unusual and lovely. There is a stigma attached to the name, but I don't think many every-day people would recognize it as the mother of Oedipus.

Thumbs up!

I really love:

Jocasta Frances
Jocasta Margaret
Jocasta Ruth

- Valkyrie (ICEyun)

6/9/2010, 9:03 AM

I don't really like the way it sounds. For some reason, it makes me think of "canasta".

- Circus Lullaby +14

6/9/2010, 8:34 AM

All I can think of is Oedipus' mother, Jocasta, whom he marries in the Greek play.

- Speranza

6/9/2010, 3:58 PM

I like it but can't get past the Oedipal association. I cam across someone called Jocasta nicknamed Joyce recently.

- RowenaRavenclaw

6/9/2010, 1:54 PM

Yep

- Fiammetta (lady murasaki)

6/9/2010, 10:52 AM

agree as well

- xPrincess27x

6/9/2010, 9:06 AM

Same.

- New_Chloe +2

6/9/2010, 9:03 AM

wait

I thought that was Lucasta. I get those two mixed up all the time. So Jocasta is Oedipus' mom, not Lucasta?

- Circus Lullaby +1

6/9/2010, 9:07 AM

It's Jocasta, Lucasta is from poems I think

- Davidica

6/9/2010, 11:00 AM

Yes, Lucasta was the love interest of Sir Richard Lovelace

Her name was Lucy and he codes her as Lucasta ;o)

- Arialblack

6/9/2010, 8:41 AM

So do I

The association is very strong for me, I can't see a real person with this name. Otherwise, it's not bad.

- Davidica +5

6/9/2010, 8:40 AM

Exactly

I don't think I could bestow an incestuous-like name on my child. I love the name but the play really ruined it for me. Great play, though!

- queenv +4

6/9/2010, 8:51 AM

I'm of the opinion, which could be incorrect of course, but I'm of the opinion that the vast majority of the general public would not make the association. This is meant as a compliment to all those here who *have* made the association. But I don't think the association would be at all widespread enough to prohibit use of the name. If the parents make the association, though, that in and of itself is enough. I think that most parents wouldn't.

- Circus Lullaby +3

6/9/2010, 8:59 AM

Yeah, I was thinking that though the association is strong for me. Still, I can't help but wonder why someone would use it if they knew the association anyway, even if it wasn't strong. It's not that unknown of a play and since it's a rather unusual name the girl is bound to find the connection sometime in her life and wonder if her parents knew. You're more likely to meet people who know the story of Oedipus than say Lysistrata, another Greek play/character you wouldn't want to name your daughter after. But to each their own.

- Davidica +2

6/9/2010, 10:59 AM

What about ...

The Oedipus Complex? With a college degree becoming more and more crucial in society and with Psychology being a pre-req at many institutions, wouldn't individuals be even more exposed to the meaning behind Jocasta? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipus_complex

This message was edited 6/9/2010, 11:02 AM

- queenv (guest) +1

6/9/2010, 12:34 PM

A college degree may be becoming more and more crucial in society (and I always question that, but won't argue the point), but still, only one quarter of Americans have a four year college degree.

It would be interesting to do a poll amongst the general public.

- Davidica

6/9/2010, 1:12 PM

I was thinking the same thing, about the poll :)

- Alcyone

6/9/2010, 8:31 AM

I find it pretty and underused. Cass or Cassie would be a good nickname for it.

- Wordsmith

6/9/2010, 8:15 AM

I love Jocasta! I recently added it to my PNL.

I'm also fond of Jocosa.

- New_Chloe

6/9/2010, 8:04 AM

I like it a lot. It's fancy but not overly fussy - I get a real feeling of florid good cheer from it. It must be the option for the very sporty and accessible "Jo" or even "Cass" that are hidden in there.

Nice!

- queenv (guest)

6/9/2010, 7:57 AM

I like it, also. It would be great to meet a Jocasta. I've never known one, it seems this name is underused.

However...I would fear the nickname Jo, which I don't care for. That would probably be enough to keep me from using this name. The full name is great, though.

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