Etienne for a girl?

[cornwallsharon]

I think Etienne would make a lovely name for a girl but my husband isnt keen as its a boys name in France. What do you think?

[MissBattleaxe]

In France it's the equivalent of Stephen. I think if you want a French name, choose another one otherwise it sounds like you're picking a French name because its a French name.

Ottilie? Marianne?

[midnightvelvetPart2]

Its the French version of Stephen. Also a saint & a town in France.

To me, its a masculine name.

[midnightvelvetPart2]

x post :)

[NerrSnerr]

I'd think it was a boy.

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

It is a boy name.
I posted about here a while ago.
But is does sound like it should be a girl name!

[florascotia]

As Why says, there was a long thread about this fairly recently.

Etienne is a boy's name in the French language - so that's anywhere in the world where it is spoken/understood, not just in France. It's the exact equivalent of Stephen. The modern French female version is Stephane (with an acute accent on the first e). The old French female version was Etiennette.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

I'd assume the parents had picked the name thinking it was a girls' name. I'd cringe a bit for them to be honest.

[Cornberry]

No no no. That's like a French person asking if they should name their daughter Stephen.

[Itshouldntmatter]

I agree. Boys name. Your child would never be able to travel to any francophone country in the world. This website gives the top 100 French girls names for the last 100 years. You'll find some good ones there.

www.infobebes.com/prenoms/top-prenoms-filles/1937


Lucienne and Madeleine both have the same enne sound, but for girls names.

[AnnaBegins]

Definitely a boys name, I know several male etiennes.

[hollyisalovelyname]

Would you think of using Etain ? Pronounced Eh tayne. It is an Irish girl's name.

[Unoriginalusername123]

I wouldn't name my daughter Etienne as it is a masculine name. I wouldn't name her David or Matthew either.

[FurbysMakeSexNoises]

I love it but didn't know about the French meaning. Ottilie or Coralie? Genevieve?

[purplemurple1]

I know a girl called this, we are a french speaking family and knew full well it is a boys name but like it and wanted to use it. I'm female and also have a (english) male name, its never been an issue for either of us.

[florascotia]

A mere Scot here, not Irish. But surely the Gaelic name Etain is not usually pronounced Eh tayne? Local versions vary, but I'd suggest it should be something like 'Ey-dawnn'. Perhaps Irish Mumsnetters can correct me?

But it's undoubtedly feminine, and as previous poster suggested, would make a nice and unusual alternative for Etienne.

[hollyisalovelyname]

Florascotia I know two Ehtaynes- spelled Etain.

[Biscuitsneeded]

I knew a French woman called Etiennette. She was 94 though!

[JessiePinkMan]

Well my dd is Stevie so I definitely would

[MarieJeanne]

I have lived on France for 20+ years and have always thought Etienne too pretty for a boys name. The female version is Etiennette believe it or not.
In french Laurence is a girls name.
So, if you like Etienne for a girl go for it.

[sweetpeame]

I wouldn't do it. If I met a female Etienne in the UK I'd assume her parents didn't realise it was a boys name... I'd feel quite sorry for her.

[florascotia]

holly- I believe you , it's just that I've heard differently... But, as I said, I'm sure that pronounciations differ widely from place, for example this website[[http://forvo.com/word/etain_%28old_irish%29/#ga]] is similar to what I've heard, but this website (?Irish American) agrees with you: www.babynamesofireland.com/e-names/e-names-for-girls

[UseHerName]

What about Vivienne?

[Sophronia]

How about Emilienne or Fabienne?

[HawkEyeTheNoo]

I think it's such a pretty name! I wouldn't care it was a boys name, Cameron is traditionally masculine but no one really bothers about Cameron Diaz. I know a few girls called Charlie, Stevie and an Eddie. I'm not sure it really matters anymore, people are calling there kids the names they like not bothering about the traditional 'sex' of the name. If you like it, go for it. I'm going to add it to my list too!

[HawkEyeTheNoo]

*their