Message: "Re: Jocasta?" - Behind the Name

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[Opinions] Re: Jocasta?

by Circus Lullaby

6/9/2010, 8:34 AM

in reply to a message by Antique_Cherub

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

Replies

- 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 :)

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