Message: "Zephaniah?" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Zephaniah?

by Doubletrouble (guest)

7/11/2006, 7:45 AM

I was just wanting some reactions to the name Zephaniah. Everyone I say it to thinks it's absoloutley horrible but really I can't understand why?

Maybe I'm totally biased because I just LOVE the name so much but I really don't see how it's that bad. I see it a long the same lines as Jeremiah, Zachariah and the like but it's appealing to me because it hasn't become popular.

Nickname would probably be Zeph.

So I'm really honestly looking to figure out what EXACTALLY about the name is so horrible?

Thanks

#Zephaniah

Replies

- Sabrina

7/11/2006, 1:20 PM

I like it a lot, and I like Zeph as a nn. it sounds kind of like Jeff, but cooler! hopefully your hubby will come around, because it is a great name.:)

- LimeGreen +1

7/11/2006, 10:02 AM

I like it. It reminds me of the name Stephanie. It is just one of those names that you have to get used to. I have a cousin called Jeremiah who was born when I was 7 or 8. I had NEVER heard this name before and hated it! I could never remember it. So, onece everyone gets used to Zephaniah, it probally wont bother them as much.

(Also I LOVE the name Zeph. Would you ever use that as a FN?)

- Doubletrouble (guest)

7/11/2006, 10:50 AM

I probably wouldn't use Zeph as a first name, it just seems uncomplete to me because I like Zephaniah and Zephyr and other names along those lines.

But it would definately be the NN.

I'm glad there are a few others out there who like it. Now I have to get my husband to agree to it.

Thanks,
Amy

Mommy 2 Anastasia Giovanna born August 05
Brother Due October 06

- Caroline Mae (Little-Beeps)

7/11/2006, 9:28 AM

I actually really like it. I've only really heard it a few times but the nn Zeph is adorable. I just added Zephaniah to my list. It's great!

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- Cleveland Kent Evans (clevelandkentevans) +1

7/11/2006, 8:40 AM

I suppose what is so "horrible" about the name is that people aren't used to it, and many people simply will react negatively to a name they've never heard applied to a person before. Also, the longer an Old Testament name is, the more likely people are to dislike it, because it is less likely to fit in with what people think of as a "normal" English name.

Personally, if you are in the USA, I think a child would do just fine being named Zephaniah today. Not only are Jeremiah and Zachariah being well used, but Isaiah is very popular and even Nehemiah has shown a definite increase in use lately. So most kids being born today should have no problem with Zepahniah, with a pet form of Zeph.

Of course if you wanted to "Anglicize" the name a bit you could perhaps use Zephany, on the lines of Jeremy from Jeremiah. However, people would probably object to that one and claim it sounds "feminine" because it rhymes with Stephanie.

- Doubletrouble (guest)

7/11/2006, 8:51 AM

That's a VERY good explanation I think you are probably spot on with what/why people find the name so "horrible".

I can understand that totally. If people have never heard it before at all then I can see the first reaction being "that's a weird name".

If I can get it past my husband I guess our son will just have to be the "adorable little boy named Zephaniah" that people say they know And change the perception maybe.

We are in Canada so I think we are okay, we are also swimming in a SEA of Jeremiah's, Zachariah's et al. because we live in Mennonite land. LOL

So I think kids will be okay with saying it.

Thanks!

- Jackie (patchy) +1

7/11/2006, 8:37 AM

There is NOTHING wrong with it at all. I think it could be a great name, but its not my style. Same for others and many people like to stick to more common names.

****Jackie****

Proud Mommy to Patches (my kitty :)
Future Mom to Hannah Margaret and Sydney Catherine.

- Doubletrouble (guest)

7/11/2006, 8:42 AM

Ya I realize that it's not common at all I guess that could be the one main factor that turns people off that it's really not used at all. But that's part of the reason why I like it.

Well at least one other person doesn't think it's horrible. :)

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