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Minerva
I've been thinking about Minerva recently. I really like it, but it just seems so grown up for a child. Is it too strict old-ladyish? Also, what about the Harry Potter reference? Do you think that the Harry Potter series will ultimately boost the popularity of its more unusual names, or hinder them? I wonder if names like Hermione and Minerva have become too tied to the books/movies in people's minds. What are your thoughts?
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Minerva doesn't sond old-ladyish to me; I tend to associate it with Minerva Mink. I don't associate it with Harry Potter, but I do think that Hermione is too tied to the book series; at least IMO.
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I've never liked the "nerv" syllable. I find it nasal and it is also the word nerve, which is a VERY negative association. It's one of the ugliest names I know. With a lovely name like Athena, why, oh why would anyone opt for miNERVa.

This message was edited 5/25/2009, 12:28 PM

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Love Minerva, for any age. I've never understood the "it's too old for a child" argument. Old people were young once too and obviously they had their names when young. It warms my heart to hear of babies with "old people" names because it makes me think of 80 year old Hazels and Harveys when they were babies once. Sepia brown baby photos dance in my brain. How great is that?If the HP series brings names back into popularity then all the better, I say. How many Americans had ever seen the name Hermione, let alone know how to pronounce it before these books / movies? J.K. Rowling and I must have grown up watching the same BBC dramas because a lot of the names she picks are from them. My jaw dropped when I read that one of her characters was named Parvati. That's what Daphne Manners names her half-Indian daughter in "Jewel in a Crown." I always thought it was gorgeous. And she was kind enough to pick some of my other favorites too. Wasn't that nice of her? Go for it. Minerva Sibyl is my suggested combo for you. Would you be interested in more? :-)
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I love it- mostly because it's the Roman name for Athena. I would use it in real life as a middle name, because it is probably too grown up for a child. I don't think it's too old-ladyish, though- that association is just because of Harry Potter. Also, I had a cat named Minerva once, nn Minnie, but that would be a bit wierd on a human.
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I love Minerva! So strong! So dignified! So comely!Both my teacup chihuahua and my progressive, indomitable great-aunt bear the name. :)
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I think it is beautiful. One of my best friends is called Sonia Minerva.
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Wow. Gorgeous combo.
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I dont like. Its one of those names imo like Ursula, Drusilla and Agatha. They seem dark and heavy for a baby girl today.
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Aw, that's a big part of why I like them so much. It shows grand expectations.Could the nns Lulu / Ursi, Dru and Aggie change your mind?
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