baby girl with Patric as a middle name?

[OverThePond]

I've convinced my DH to go with my beloved first name choice by suggesting the middle name for our daughter be in honor of his step-father, Patric who he adores.

The question is straightforward, but hardly simple. Should we feminize his name, or let her have it as it comes? Patric or Patrice (or Patricia, not my favorite).

My internal conversation goes something like this: I was adored by and in turn adored my late papa, Louie, and would have been tickled to have his name (even though it was spelled Lewis not Louis). I'm not sure as a kid I would have made the Louise/Lewis connection as readily... Then I get to thinking how we've helpfully provided her with a name should she dislike her gender and wants to switch, but not if she simply dislikes her first name and wants a break... Then, I get to treating her like a Magic Eight-ball, saying names and waiting for her to kick once for "yes" and twice for "please, mum, no!"

[DessieLou]

Ok, take a breath!
I suppose it depends what the first name is as to what would sound best. Patrice is ok, or how about just Patty?
I love the idea of using the middle name to honour a family member..I shall be doing this too.

[thisisyesterday]

i kind of like it actually!
I really wouldn't make a decision based on whether at some point in the future she doesn't like her first name, or if she wants to switch gender!!!
in either case she could just use a different name or a nick-name couldn't she?

[Haberdashery]

I'm sorry, I don't like it, although the sentiment behind it is lovely. I would definitely go for Patrice or Patricia. Or is there a name that means the same that you could use instead? If it helps at all, I can quite imagine Patricia/Patrice being fairly fashionable by the time she is ten or so.

I also used a grandparent's name for a middle name but I did consider Susannah, which means the same thing, instead of Lily. And in some ways, I'm a bit sorry I didn't go for it! It might be quite nice to get a whole new layer of meaning as you get old enough to understand it.

[OverThePond]

@ thisisyesterday, I know, right? I shared the crazy bits to show how neurotic it's making me. It doesn't help that we keep telling people "we already have two very strong opinions and thanks we don't need another, so we're not sharing names." Then, I go and share with strangers on mumsnet... at least I won't have to face you at holidays and know what you think of my daughter's name.

@DessieLou, unfortunately Patty would absolutely destroy it all and give her possible the worst nickname ever with Mattie Patty -atty for her full-name!

@Haberdashery, I think Patrice would work, just afraid of the finality of it all.

[brodanbell]

If you don't like Patricia, how about italianacizing it to Patrizia. I think it sounds nice, nicer than the English way. Pat-trit-zia.

[AnaisB]

Patrice, I know boys names are getting used as girls names, but Patric is too much (IMO).

[NewbieT]

Go for Patric! Whyever not. My daughter have two midle names, one is my DH's grandmother's name, the other is my dad's nickname - Mickie - I think it's really cute and means my dad's name will live on, God willing she has kids and grandkids, andd one day she can tell them them about the great people she was named after! I don't think you'd regret it.

[Meteorite]

I would go for Patrice. Patric does sound like a boys' name, and Patricia is not quite in the "due a revival" category yet.

[dearheart]

This is another of those 'A Boy Named Sue' threads. Listen to Johnny Cash and then decide.

[Theas18]

As a girl who has grown up with Hogarth as my 2nd middle name I'd go with the Patric you want to use not any watered down compromise . Patrice it still a blokes name - at least the one I know is male....

I've hated the name as a kid, "lost it" as a teen using my other middle inital but as a professional adult I have used it and become proud of it.

[rushofbloodtothefeet]

I think surnames sound OK as middle names for either gender. My DD has my maiden name as a middle name. It is a surname that is in common use as a boys name too. It is fairly similar to Patrick. The only slight downside is when you say her full name it does sound like she has a double barelled surname.

[Sariah]

Don't do it please dont do it.

My middle name is paddie and while I dont mind it so much now, I had an awful time for years when I was younger over it. I had to bring my birth cert into school one day and it was on it and I got so much slagging over it and I cried for years over it. I do still cringe a abit when I have to tell someone but have learned to develop a sense of humor about it. It was nearly my given name but thankfully they didnt do that.

[iskra]

I think anything is okay as a middle name. One of my middle names is a surname. Maybe give her another middle name too - Julia Anne Patric Surname? Or whatever!