I love this name, it’s so cute and graceful! I think it holds a sense of childhood innocence that carries elegantly into adulthood and onward. As for other commentators’ concerns, I don’t think anyone in real life would immediately think of hebephilia when they hear that someone’s name is Hebe— most people don’t know the term, much less pronounce them the same. I mean, have you ever met someone named Lou and immediately think of Lou Gehrig’s Disease? If it bothers you personally that’s totally okay, but it definitely doesn’t make Hebe less usable in public :)
Hebe Pastor de Bonafini is one of the founders of the Association of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, an organization of Argentine mothers whose children were disappeared during the Dirty War.
My name is Hebe. A lot of people have said that it's a beautiful name, and I like my name most of the time. However having a unique name like this is very inconvenient, especially when you have to explain to everyone how to pronounce it correctly, and the frustration when people constantly say it wrong. So if you are thinking about naming your kids this, don’t just think about how pretty it is, but also about the practicality.
Sounds similar to the province of Hebei in northern China.
― Anonymous User 6/21/2020
1
I like this name a lot, especially as an alternative to Phoebe. Unfortunately, it reminds me of the phrase "heebie jeebies." But I'd still consider using it, especially as a middle name.
Hebe Camargo was a very famous Brazilian television presenter and singer. She passed away last month. Personally, I think the name sounds much prettier in Portuguese than in English.
Interestingly I found this name when researching my family tree. It turns out that the name originated as Hebe, but turned into Urbe and finally to Earby (when there was little convention for spelling). My great grandmother had this name (Earby), which I don't think she liked. She was known as "Herbie" to her friends. Earby's grandmother was Urbe and her grandmother Hebe - all presumably the same name, just spelled differently. Family stories say that the name was of French origin, but I am not sure whether this is true.
I wouldn't use the name if I were you, as 'hebephilia' is a term that's misused in the same way that the word 'pedophilia' is misused. 'Hebephilia', also known as 'ephebophilia', is used to describe the sexual attraction to teenagers, although it literally means 'friend of youth' or something. The idea is that the teenager in question looks clearly underaged. So, if you like the sound of this name, it would be much better to opt for Phoebe.
Hebe reminds me of a lamb or sheep. Interesting that it means "youth" and was the name of a mythical Greek goddess, I can't picture it lol. If I every get a lamb, I'll consider naming her this.
― Anonymous User 6/16/2007
0
Well, honestly, I know it may be strange at first when your mind and ears have been introduced to this name but strangely it's really grown on me. I have NEVER met a person name Hebe. The only living person I heard named Hebe was one of the twin babies that played Agatha in the Nanny Mcphee movie. So this name seems completely unique. A lot of people could make fun of this name by saying things like, "Oh no, Hebes' got the heebeejeebies." So that is a minus for this name but other than that I would certainly consider namimg my daughter this name or I would use it as a middle name because it really is a beautiful and modest name for an above average kind of girl.
As for other commentators’ concerns, I don’t think anyone in real life would immediately think of hebephilia when they hear that someone’s name is Hebe— most people don’t know the term, much less pronounce them the same. I mean, have you ever met someone named Lou and immediately think of Lou Gehrig’s Disease? If it bothers you personally that’s totally okay, but it definitely doesn’t make Hebe less usable in public :)