View Message

[Opinions] Phoebe
Always loved this name but sometimes I kind of doubt whether it's nice enough because it looks much better than it sounds. Don't get me wrong, I like the way it sounds, but I wonder whether FEE-bee might sound funny to some people.Anyway, what do you think of Phoebe? What kind of person would be named Phoebe and how do you picture the parents of a Phoebe? Do you think it's getting too common?And what do you think of the spelling Phebe? It was used by Shakespeare and I kind of like it.How many Phoebes have you known?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I love the name Phoebe, it's a fave of mine. I think Phoebe would suit many different types of women. Her parents aren't a specific "type" imo. Hate the Phebe spelling, just looks wrong to me! Not sure that I've ever met a Phoebe actually, I can't recall.
vote up1
I think it's a sweet name with a great meaning. In my area, it isn't too popular, but if I were in England or Wales, I wouldn't use it because it is too popular there.I know someone with a sister named Phoebe who has English parents. Aside from her, I can't think of any other people I have actually met named Phoebe.I prefer Phoebe over Phebe. Phoebe looks more complete.
vote up1
I'm sorry, Phoebe is a name I can't get into. I know only one Phoebe and she is just beautiful, but the name itself doesn't do anything for me. I find the sound a little annoying. :(
vote up1
I have a three-year-old niece named Phoebe. I'm always going to love the name because I picture her darling face when I hear it but, if I'm honest, I don't like it very much, or at least not as much as I used to. I was delighted when they chose it, but after years of hearing, saying, and thinking Phoebe, it just doesn't appeal to me like it once did. I still think it's a perfectly good and interesting name, but I now understand it when people say they don't like it, call it shrill or unattractive, or compare it to the squeaking of a dog toy (all things I've seen online). I picture my niece and her parents: a spunky, smart, somewhat demanding and stubborn, but good-hearted girl with dark hair and eyes, a bright smile, and a voice like a little bell. Her parents are smart, funny, middle class, fairly liberal, and a little hipsterish. Phoebe is definitely more common than it used to be, but it has a long way to go before it could reasonably be called too common. No offense to the Bard, but Phebe is awful. Other than my niece, the only Phoebes I "know" are from Friends, Charmed, and literature.
vote up1
I like this name, too, but I agree, it looks prettier than it sounds. It's rhyme-y and sounds, I don't know, a little strange or silly, maybe...? But, anyways, I like it. It's spunky and cute, but not childish. I picture a Phoebe as a really sweet, nice person, who's kind of shy. But that's mostly because that's what the Phoebe I know is like. I know one who's about 10 and another who's like 30-ish. I like the Phoebe spelling better; I just think it's a little prettier, but I don't mind Phebe either. It just seems a little empty, if you know what I mean.

This message was edited 6/13/2012, 1:40 PM

vote up1
I know 3 Phoebe's, of 3 different generations. One, in her early 70's, is a retired professor of religion. Another, in her late 20's is an elementary school teacher. And one @ 6, is still a girl. The parents of the 6-yr-old & the 28-yr-old are both very liberal alternative types.When my daughter was young, she was friends with the now 28-yr-old, so together they were Robin & Phoebe, a couple of little birds. At the time, everyone thought very cute.Like Daphne, I cannot imagine Phoebe ever becoming wildly popular. I think the names have a slightly offbeat appeal. I think the average person would mispronounce Phebe.
vote up1
I think of Phoebe from "Friends" first, so quirky and a little blonde.When I was little I read a story with a character named Phoebe in it and because of the O I thought it was pronounced Phobe (like globe with a PH).I've known one Phoebe in college. She was very bright and level-headed.
vote up1
It's okay. I think I do slightly prefer Phebe. It's the spelling used by Puritans.
vote up1
It took me a while to warm up to Phoebe. I loved the look, but as you say the sound of it is not conventional. It reminded me of a buzzing bee. But then I started to focus more on the mythological associations and became smitten. Now, I love it as much as Daphne and Chloe. I dislike the Phebe spelling. Half the fun of the name is the "oe" spelling. Extrapolating personality from a name is a losing proposition. People don't act in accordance to their names. What I can glean from a name has more to do with the parents than the child. Here, I'd imagine the parents of a Phoebe were well educated and fun loving. But I would never bet the house on it. I've never met a Phoebe.

This message was edited 6/13/2012, 11:51 AM

vote up1
Sorry, but I hate it with a passion. I just can't stand the sound of it (similar sound in other names make me hate them too so Phoebe isn't alone). Lookwise I don't care much for Phoebe. That O doesn't make sense. I think I would prefer Phebe to Phoebe if I were more used to it.
vote up1
It's one of those names I just don't like. I never have and there is really no reason for it. I prefer the spelling Phoebe and I've never met someone with the name. At least I don't think so. I wouldn't worry about it getting common.
vote up1
I adore Phoebe. It's spunky and cute without being too cutesy. And has a long history, which is a plus for me. For me a Phoebe would just be someone with a lot of spunk and life in them. I don't know how I would picture her parents though. I don't really think the name is getting too common. I've only ever heard it used twice. One Phoebe is 10, the other 4. Not a fan of Phebe, just kind of looks incomplete. :/
vote up1
I respect the name but don't love it, due to sound. I find I enjoy it best as a middle name. I imagine a Phoebe to be bright, spunky and quirky, and parents who choose Phoebe to be readers, intelligent.I do not care for the Phebe spelling as it's more likely to be pronounced "FEEB". I doubt the average person on the street would recognize it as Shakespeare's Phoebe.
vote up1
Phoebe is one of my favourite all time names, but unfortunately DF hates it :(I imagine parents of a little Phoebe would be liberal but middle classI imagine Phoebe to be a bit of a wild-child but very intelligent and well readI dislike Phebe, it looks more like it would be pronounced pheebI've never met a Phoebe in real life
vote up1
Phoebe sounds funny to me and always has. It sounds unbearably silly. FEE-BEE. I'm just not getting what's remotely attractive about it.I picture a Phoebe as being a bookish, nerdy, shy girl, with very intellectual parents.I prefer the Phebe spelling, now that you mention it. It looks a little less awkward without that O.I've never known a Phoebe.
vote up1
Fee Bee is so cute!!!!
vote up1