Valentine, for a girl?

[MrsPinault]

And how would you pronounce it?

I don't like Valentina, which I know would be more usual. But I just don't like it

[peeriebear]

It's a boy's name, sorry.

[Pochemuchka]

I'm pretty sure there was a thread about exactly the same thing a couple of months ago if you search.
I personally think it's ok and am not keen on Valentina either but the only Valentine I know is a man.

[Avalicious1980]

I love it. I think it's the French way of spelling it and it's usually pronounced Valentin.

I considered it for DD2's middle name but husband vetoed it and everyone else hated it.

Go for it......am jealous!

[MrsPinault]

Thanks Poche, found the thread. But I don't think the MN jury returned a full verdict. I guess it's always going to be a Marmite name.

I think I would pronounce it Valen-teen and I think Avalicious might be right that it's the French spelling.

[nulgirl]

It's a boy's name isn't it? I doubt you'd be able to get anyone outside of your immediate family to pronounce it the way you want either. Everyone will just pronounce it the way it's normally said in English. My dh is French so we picked named that are pronounced pretty similarly in both languages as it is a pain constantly having to correct people.

As you say' it's a marmite name but worth bearing in mind when everyone mispronounces her name and thinks she's a boy.

[ImpYCelyn]

Girl's name in France, pronounced as you want; but a boy's name in England, pronounced as in Feb 14th.

I wouldn't be that shocked to meet a girl called Valentine in England, but I would pronounce it the English way, not the French.

DS1&2 both have French names - when we're in England people pronounce them the English way and we suck it up because we think it's normal that different language = different pronunciation. But if it'll bother you then think again, because the vast majority of people will pronounce -tine not -teen.

[AnOldieButNotSoGoody]

Beautiful.

I think it's normally a boys name but would consider it for a dd.

[mayanna123]

I much prefer Valentina for a girl.

Valentine (English) or Valentin (German) are boys' names to my ears.

[baskingseals]

absolutely love it. wouldn't see it as strange at all.
fwiw i love both versions.

[amandine07]

I think Valentine is definitely a boy's name- in France it's spelt Valentin, have never met a Valentin/e in the UK...I can imagine the horrendous playground teasing!

Honestly, use whatever name you prefer but Valentina is the girl's version.

[Colyngbourne]

Valentine is a lovely girl's (or boy's) name. And is the name of one of the central characters in Parade's End, recently adapted on the BBC.

[evamummy]

I though Valentine is the English version of Valentin (German, French) so definately a boys' name.

Valentina sounds more feminine to me.

[elizaregina]

i love it - but Val and Tina put me off.

[Pasiphae]

Valentine is the French version of Valentina. pn as Valenteen, to rhyme with Josephine.
It's like Valentina but less frilly, I think it's bloomin' lovely!

[susiedaisy]

I only know of one valentine and he's a man!

[lamprey42]

There is a female Valentine in Adriana Trigliani's series (www.adrianatrigiani.com/home/the-books/very-valentine/). I quite like the name.