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HelpThe Furies: Alecto, Megara, and Tisiphone
Recently, I posted a poll (https://www.behindthename.com/polls/416545) asking for opinions on the names of the Furies in Greek Mythology. I used the Megara spelling instead of Megaera because it's more modernized (especially with the influence of Hercules), but I was still expecting most of the answers to be: "None are usable in real life, but they can work for fictional characters."
At the time of this post, only 21% of pollsters chose that option. Of all the voters, nearly 58% thought Alecto was perfectly usable in everyday life, nearly 53% thought so of Megara, and roughly 47% thought so of Tisiphone. Roughly 42% thought all three were usable, no issues. Less than a quarter of pollsters thought the three names could only be used on fictional characters, and only one person thought they should be avoided at all costs.
I was surprised by the results, particularly for Alecto edging past Megara (which at least has the "Meg" nickname to fall back on). Most people's first association with Alecto, if they have one at all, tends to be with the minor evil character from the Harry Potter series, Alecto Carrow.
Personally, I've always liked Tisiphone, though it's the most cumbersome of the three, especially since it looks like an already common name (Tiffany) with "extra steps."
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Please rate my personal name lists:
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/117507
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/132018
At the time of this post, only 21% of pollsters chose that option. Of all the voters, nearly 58% thought Alecto was perfectly usable in everyday life, nearly 53% thought so of Megara, and roughly 47% thought so of Tisiphone. Roughly 42% thought all three were usable, no issues. Less than a quarter of pollsters thought the three names could only be used on fictional characters, and only one person thought they should be avoided at all costs.
I was surprised by the results, particularly for Alecto edging past Megara (which at least has the "Meg" nickname to fall back on). Most people's first association with Alecto, if they have one at all, tends to be with the minor evil character from the Harry Potter series, Alecto Carrow.
Personally, I've always liked Tisiphone, though it's the most cumbersome of the three, especially since it looks like an already common name (Tiffany) with "extra steps."
***
Please rate my personal name lists:
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/117507
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/132018
Replies
My cat is named Alecto. I actually named her that as a Locked Tomb reference but I tell people she's named after the fury when I don't want to explain the Locked Tomb series!
I like them all, I think Megara is the most obviously 'aesthetic' for modern English speakers but I actually like Alecto and Tisiphone more. As for how useable they are... I think people who'd find them 'weird' might not be aware of the mythological association, but people who would be for any reason put off by the mythological association would find them less 'weird', so... mixed bag. I think they're totally useable, but mostly for middle names. I really like Tisiphone.
And to be honest, they probably are useable. I know a couple who named their firstborn baby joy Terpsichore (which I personally think is almost..."ugly" and definitely 'weird'er than most names) and there was a bit of curiosity and stumbling over pronounciation and then nobody batted an eyelid.
And to be honest, they probably are useable. I know a couple who named their firstborn baby joy Terpsichore (which I personally think is almost..."ugly" and definitely 'weird'er than most names) and there was a bit of curiosity and stumbling over pronounciation and then nobody batted an eyelid.
This message was edited 4/3/2024, 12:57 PM
I think they're all usable, but I don't like any. They sound vaguely sinister to me, especially Alecto and Megara - similar to how Lilith does (and that gets used, so). Ì like Nemesis more, but I would say that's less usable.
I think Alecto could be Aly as easily as Megara could be Meg. Tisiphone could probably be Tess or Tessa, although that's more of a stretch...maybe Tiph. Not that they need NNs, necessarily.
I think Alecto could be Aly as easily as Megara could be Meg. Tisiphone could probably be Tess or Tessa, although that's more of a stretch...maybe Tiph. Not that they need NNs, necessarily.
This message was edited 4/2/2024, 7:56 PM
There is an enormous uptick in using mythological names. Odin, Apollo, Calliope, Penelope, Persepho5, Atlas - all of these are gaining popularity.
I could easily see all three being used. Alecto fits the bill - unusual, ends with O like Juno, mythology, etc. Ditto Tisiphone
Megara not so much. Meg is outdated, tied to Megan, and it's an odd sound
I could easily see all three being used. Alecto fits the bill - unusual, ends with O like Juno, mythology, etc. Ditto Tisiphone
Megara not so much. Meg is outdated, tied to Megan, and it's an odd sound
I think Megara would be usable
I think they're all useable. I've known people with much weirder names. Tisiphone might have pronunciation issues but people have trouble with lots of names, even very familiar ones, so... *Shrug*
I think they’re all usable—I have a very generous conception of usability—and enjoy Alecto the most.
I personally think Alecto and Megara are usable, but Tisiphone would be tough.
Oh, wait, Alecto is a girl's name?? Never mind, not usable on a girl.
All the Furies are female.
I have no idea who the Furies are, not going to lie.
More ancient than the Greek gods; they live underground (with the dead, therefore) and come up to our world in order to punish people who have committed vile and disrespectful crimes. Very scary!