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Using Gwen when not Welsh

15 replies

mummytobeforbabyno1 · 16/11/2016 12:34

Quite liking this name (although opinions on girls names are changing daily as the DD gets closer) but just wondered if it would be odd to use it without any Welsh connection in the family?

Also liking:
Edith
Ada
Mauve
Violet
Frances
Nora
Maria
Julia

(But these could all change if you all tell me I'm being ridiculous! Not sure OH would agree anyway)

Going mad thinking of girls names!!

Happy for suggestions or opinions on the above too.

Thanks!

OP posts:
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Sophronia · 16/11/2016 13:07

I think it's fine. It's a nice name. From your list I also like...

Edith
Ada
Frances
Maria
Julia

How about...

Adelaide
Iris
Martha
Rose
Harriet
Esther
Nell
Verity
Caroline
Ida
Lydia
Dorothy
Flora
Anna
Mary
Clara
Jemima
Annie
Susannah
Eliza
Ruth
Louisa
Nancy
Hazel
Sylvie
Tess
Alix
Ivy
Juliet
Kitty
Marina
Pearl
Sadie
Vera

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mummytobeforbabyno1 · 16/11/2016 13:33

Thanks Sophronia.

I like a lot on your list but several have been vetoed by OH. Might try again though haha.

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BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington · 16/11/2016 14:39

Nah. I doubt anyone has ever though it odd that Gwen Stefani isn't Welsh. Or that all the English Sophies aren't French. Pretty boring if we had to stick to names we had a cultural link to.

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lightcola · 16/11/2016 14:42

My son has a Welsh name although we're not Welsh. We're planning on using a French one next and we're not French either

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BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington · 16/11/2016 14:43

Is Mauve a name?

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YesItsMeIDontCare · 16/11/2016 14:47

My name is Helena. Apparently it's Greek. I have no Greek connections whatsoever, except I do like Greek food. No-one has ever questioned why my parents picked my name.

So go for it!

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harderandharder2breathe · 16/11/2016 15:04

It's not like you're calling her Myfanwy! Gwen is a lovely name and not so obviously welsh that no one else would ever be called it

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NavyandWhite · 16/11/2016 16:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gallicgirl · 16/11/2016 16:10

I think it's lovely.

Our DD has a Welsh name but we've no particular connections other than friends and family holidays. She's Alys.

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UnicornPee · 16/11/2016 18:20

Gwen is a lovely name and I don't know any in my kids classes!! Go for it :)

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Sugarpiehoneyeye · 16/11/2016 20:20

I like most of your names Mummy ;
Ada
Frances
Maria
Julia
Violet

Maybe;
Ivy
Mabel
Molly
Maisie
Tess
Jackie
Shirley
Rosie
Joan
Joyce
Fiona

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rainbow99 · 16/11/2016 21:40

Exactly what Navy said for me I'm afraid. I do like all the others on your list with the exception of Maria and Julia, which I feel are dated

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Buntysoven · 17/11/2016 00:52

Gwen is a great name. Unusual cool short and sweet. Really like it.

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Jooni · 17/11/2016 08:28

I really like Gwen too. Sweet and funky, unusual but easy to spell and pronounce, and I definitely don't think you need to be Welsh to use it. Jennifer was originally a Cornish name but no one seems to have been put off by that!

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Wibblewobble100 · 17/11/2016 17:31

The only Gwen I know is French! Gwendoline I assume.

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