Definition of "Euphemia"

"Euphemia is Grandmama's name, my dear." The children looked grave. Euphemia sounded very strange and old-fashioned to them. "Or Effie," added Mr. Barclay, "if you like that better."Effie, the prettiest of diminutives, gained all suffrages.

1835, Catharine Maria Sedgwick, Home, James Munroe and Company, published 1850, page 52

"Euphemia," said Kipps at last, unable altogether to keep to himself this suspicion of a high origin that floated so delightfully about him, "Eu-phemia; it isn't a name common people would give to a girl, is it?" - - -"It's givin' girls names like that," said Buggins, "that nine times out of ten makes 'em go wrong. It unsettles 'em. If ever I was to have a dozen girls, I'd call 'em all Jane.

1905, H. G. Wells, Kipps, Kessinger Publishing, published 2005, page 136