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HelpClara Iphegenia
Has anyone read White Teeth by Zadie Smith? I'm not even one-fifth of the way through, but it's an excellent read already. The most endearing character, by far, is a nineteen year old Jamaican girl by the name of Clara Iphegenia Bowden.
What are your thoughts on the name? I'm just snobbish enough to think I could get away with using Iphigenia in real life, most likely as a middle name, though I quite like Iphigenia "Effy". Clara I go back and forth on and always have - I love it one day, hate it the next.
Much obliged!
Ottilie
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/116467
What are your thoughts on the name? I'm just snobbish enough to think I could get away with using Iphigenia in real life, most likely as a middle name, though I quite like Iphigenia "Effy". Clara I go back and forth on and always have - I love it one day, hate it the next.
Much obliged!
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/116467
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Thank you!
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I haven't read it. Clara Iphegenia is awesome- I don't know if I actually like Iphegenia, but it is pretty rad, and I love Clara. Anyway, I really like this combo. Effie is adorable- I like it for Ophelia, but that's getting more popular now, I think. Ah well. Oh, and I'm loving Efigénia right now.
This message was edited 6/30/2015, 12:01 PM
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Funny you mention Iphigenia. I'm reading "Vanity Fair" and in the novel a clock with the figure of the mythical Iphigenia is referred to. The note at the back points out to the reader that the mythical Iphigenia was sacrificed by her father to allow his ships to sail to Troy. This has significance in relation to the events of the novel.
I don't like the sound of it and I don't think the fact that the mythical Iphigenia was sacrificed make it a great choice as even a middle name, to be honest. I usually think that anything goes as a middle name, but really it's almost anything, and I rather think this name is off limits.
I don't like the sound of it and I don't think the fact that the mythical Iphigenia was sacrificed make it a great choice as even a middle name, to be honest. I usually think that anything goes as a middle name, but really it's almost anything, and I rather think this name is off limits.
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Interesting thought! I'm actually reading a beautiful book on Greek mythology at the minute and have yet to reach the mentions of Iphigenia, but according to BtN she ultimately wasn't sacrificed and instead "she was magically transported to the city of Taurus".
Do you think a lot of names from Greek myth are unusable? My friend and I have been in a debate about whether there is a god/goddess worse than Hera and his disdain for her / her actions is making me wonder if the name is unusable.
Oh, and how are you liking Vanity Fair? I've never read it.
Do you think a lot of names from Greek myth are unusable? My friend and I have been in a debate about whether there is a god/goddess worse than Hera and his disdain for her / her actions is making me wonder if the name is unusable.
Oh, and how are you liking Vanity Fair? I've never read it.
This message was edited 6/30/2015, 6:55 AM
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I'm really enjoying "Vanity Fair." It's long, but interesting and readable. It has a lighter tone and is more readable than anything by Dickens, certainly, although I'm not knocking Dickens.
I don't think a lot of names from Greek myth are unusable. I guess it's a personal reaction to the story of a parent killing his own child. It gives me shivers. Of course, that's just me. Some sources say Iphigenia was ultimately sacrificed and some say she wasn't.
I don't think a lot of names from Greek myth are unusable. I guess it's a personal reaction to the story of a parent killing his own child. It gives me shivers. Of course, that's just me. Some sources say Iphigenia was ultimately sacrificed and some say she wasn't.
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Yes, Artemis (I think) admired her courage and saved her at the last minute. I love Greek Mythology. A classmate wants to name her daughter Persephone if she ever has one, and I definitely approve. I have a soft spot for Pepsi as a nickname, but both names are probably unusable. Hera is lovely and definitely usable IMO!
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Clara is very pretty. It's soft, feminine, classic and ageless. It effortlessly reminds me of a really good friend of mine who bears this name.
Iphigenia: it both looks and sounds like a deadly disease. And being "snobbish" has nothing to do with using a name. Personality types don't determine name preferences. If you like Iphigenia, by all means use it. I'm personally not a fan of it. I greatly assume that Bowden is the surname. Clara Bowden sounds excellent
By the way, is the book a standalone or a series?
Iphigenia: it both looks and sounds like a deadly disease. And being "snobbish" has nothing to do with using a name. Personality types don't determine name preferences. If you like Iphigenia, by all means use it. I'm personally not a fan of it. I greatly assume that Bowden is the surname. Clara Bowden sounds excellent
By the way, is the book a standalone or a series?
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I'm quite happy to call myself snobbish. It is quite a snobby name in a lot of instances, imho. And, yes, Bowden is her surname.
It's a stand-alone book.
It's a stand-alone book.
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