Hero for a girl?

[PoppyC]

Thinking of naming my upcoming DD Hero, but am worried she will resent having an unusual name.

I love it- it's Greek but I first became aware of it through reading Shakespeare's much ado about nothing.

I also like the feminist implications of naming her Hero- like she could achieve anything.

I also love the name Ophelia (Hamlet) as I think it is very pretty but don't like naming her after a character that goes mad and drowns herself.

What do you think of Hero (or Ophelia?)?? Help would be muchly appreciated- friends and family too polite to be of much proper help!

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

I really like Hero

What about Juno, as well ?

[MrsHappy]

LOVE Hero.
My DH wouldn't let me...

[PoppyC]

Juno is pretty but it reminds me of the film too much!

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

Where do you live ? I have a VERY unusual name, and goring up in Essex it was a bit f a pain. Here and now, in London, my name (and Her) wouldn't raise many eyebrows

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

nor goring - growing

[GheeDeMaupassant]

I prefer the idea of you goring Jamie.

[Quattrocento]

I love the name Hero

Really love it

Inspired

Not sure about Ophelia. Quite apart from the going mad and weeds and stuff, there's the distinct possibility of it being shortened to Offy.

[Pollyanna]

I love this name too. Really love it. dh vetoed though

not sure about Ophelia due to the character.

[scottishmummy]

only implications of hero for a girl is folk think mum is trying too hard and pretentious

hero sounds like (cheap) brand deodorant

[BessieBoots]

I love the name. But I have to add...

I need a Hero!
I'm holdin' out for a hero till the end of the niiiight...

(sorry. I do really love the name. it was just too tempting.)

[Quattrocento]

What are you on about SM? I have never heard of a deodorant that even remotely sounds like Hero.

[doozle]

Sorry I disagree with everyone about Hero, think she would struggle with it.

[PoppyC]

That's fabulous, I could play the shrek version at her christening/wedding/birthday parties! (joke)

[scottishmummy]

hero is pretentious and whimsy.not evocative of strong femminists at all

[EvilTwins]

I like both. DT1's middle name is Ophelia. DT2's middle name is Miranda. Still wish I'd pushed for it and convinced DH we should have them as their first names.

[southeastastra]

good film - not a name unless you want to be judged for the rest of your life

[Trafficcone]

Love it!! My 11 yr old DD has already decided to call her first daughter Hera which I also love!

[jollydiane]

Oh dear me no. I hope she will not be born on 1 April.

[notimetoshop]

I'm sure you're right and Hero is a girl's name, but I would think someone called Hero is a boy.....

[EvilTwins]

notimetoshop - Hero is the romantic heroine of Much Ado About Nothing.

[jujubean]

Hero - lovely. Hermione Norris' (blond bird in Spooks) daughter is called Hero and I think it's just so gorgeous.

[PoppyC]

I think it can be either a boy's or girl's name.

So glad that (most) of you like it too!

Does anyone think it would create an unrealistic standard for her to live up to? I mean, she'd think she'd have to be HERO-ic all the time?

Sometimes I just want to call her something really plain and normal, so she wont feel like she doesn't have the space to grow into who she wants to be.

[AllieW]

It makes me think of Hero and Leander (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_and_Leander). Interesting that Wikipedia says the Greek pronunciation is actually Hay+raw. Not sure I like that pronunciation at all.

I think it could be quite cool but might be a little difficult if she were shy. Perhaps the name would ensure that she wasn't!

[Casmama]

Sorry I really don't like hero but think Ophelia is lovely - if you discounted names based on associations you would never be able to choose any name.