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Dymphna
I've never given the name much consideration but it popped up tonight and I do find it striking and different -- not to mention cute, since it reminds me of dimples. BtN says it means 'fawn,' while Wikipedia (linking to https://www.libraryireland.com/names/women/damhnait-devnet.php) says it means 'poet.' This is one of those saints' names, like Brigid and Patrick, that feels overwhelmingly Irish to me. Are there any other names you can think of like that, especially rare ones like Dymphna?The saint who the name is used for has a wild and awful story, but is also patron of mental illness and anxiety: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dymphna.What do you think?

This message was edited 3/8/2021, 9:12 PM

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I think of the patron saint of mental illness, it's fine but wouldn't use it personally.

This message was edited 3/9/2021, 8:10 PM

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It reminds me of medical terms and skin diseases for some reason. I love Irish names but I never would have guessed that this was Irish, I would have assumed ancient Greek. The meaning is cute. It does remind me of "dimple" but also of "dumb", "pimp", "nymph" and "dim" :( In general Dym is an awful nickname.Irish names that I love:Aoibheann
Aisling
Áine
Aoife
Ciara
Gráinne
Cara (my sources say this is Irish for "friend")
Orla
Erin (modern name, but used in Ireland)Rare:Aoileann
Éibhleann
Morrigan
RíonaI also find Siofra kind of intriguing but not sure about whether I like the sound too much.My favorite Irish boys names are Finn, Finlay and Oisín.
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Ooof... no sorry I strongly dislike
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I have a thing for "tragic" names, so the awful story makes it more interesting for me. I love Dymphna, there's something of the enchantress about it because it's both soothing and warm while it also makes me a bit uncomfortable. It both attracts and repels me. It is very cute but also dark, it's a great Gothic sort of name. I think I'll add this to my list of "uncanny valley" names.

This message was edited 3/9/2021, 12:49 AM

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"Uncanny valley" names! yes!!
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Aw, I love how ugly it is.
I prefer Nymphodora.
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Aw, I love how ungainly (from my perspective as a non-Irish person) Dymphna is, and I also love that it means "fawn" (I have a tattoo of a fawn on my clavicle). Fionnuala is another Irish name I love that I'd consider pronouncedly Irish.
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