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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Is this as bad as I think?

41 replies

Cjax · 22/07/2011 09:25

I am 6 months pregnant and my French husband and I are pretty much in accord on first names so far. He was incredibly close to his grandmother who died about 5 years ago and he would like to use her name as a middle name. I think this is a very nice idea except that his grandmother was called Raymonde which I think sounds really bad from the UK perspective. I have tried to explain that it is the equivalent of calling a little boy Andrew Sarah xxxx but he is pretty adamant. We live in France at the moment and it would be fine there if a little old fashioned but we are likely to move back to the UK in the medium term and I feel that it would be a really tough one for our daughter to deal with in childhood/adolescence etc. I should point out my husband is not just being stubborn, I think this is very important to him and he sees it as a really meaningful way to honour the memory of his grandmother, who he often describes as his second mother as she was so important to him.

So am I just being paranoid or is it really as bad as I think?

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RickGhastley · 22/07/2011 15:34

I think it's fine as a middle name, but if you hate it then think of something else.

Some of my friends who are not married have given their daughters their surnames as middle names and it actually sounds fine. One is called Amelia Fraser Surname and one is called Chloe Raymond Surname.

If you knock the E off Raymonde I think it looks better.

kelli10 · 22/07/2011 17:10

Variations on Rae? Maybe he would be happy with something similar... We've discussed using OH granmothers name as a middle name. She's known as Betty but I think Elizabeth is pretty.

There's always a compromise to be made if you really dont like it.

I personally think an unusual middle name is quite nice, she'll be the only one if you move back to the UK which would make her extra special.

Bugmum · 22/07/2011 17:12

When registering DS2, we gave the first name and the registrar went, 'How lovely.' Then we told her the two (family) middle names, and her face was a picture But we live in such a multi-cultural area that you could call your child Table Top Smith and no one would blink.

fastweb · 22/07/2011 17:19

Rae

Ohh, that is very pretty !!

itsraining · 22/07/2011 17:19

I rather like it and it's very suitable to use the middle name to honour a relative.

Do I take it you're having a boy, if so I'd use the masculine version if you're planning on returning to the UK. On the other hand, you can always quote the French tradition for female names for boys and male names for girls (I used to know a French female Claude) Otherwise, very elegant for a lady.

Original poster

Cjax · 27/07/2011 08:14

Thank you for your input, I'm feeling a lot better about Raymonde as a potential middle name but also about saying no if I decide I really can't take it!

OP posts:

Pippaandpolly · 27/07/2011 08:29

I like unusual middle names...some from my family are Inger, Hamilton and Stream! (Mostly maiden names that were about to die out and so could be kept going for one more generation.)

Greenwing · 28/07/2011 20:41

I know it looks like Raymond but it sounds so different because the accent is more on the second syllable in Raymonde and the e makes it look feminine.
I think it is absolutely fine and quite pretty sounding actually.

Giving a middle name which has a meaning is 1000 times more important IMO than just choosing a random name that you like. You can bring her up to be proud of her heritage and ancestry and you must be proud and happy to have a DH who was so loyal and loving to his grandmother.

NattersAndMutters · 28/07/2011 22:15

It's absolutely fine. The pronunciation and the final 'e' clearly distinguish it from the boy's name. Simone is a similar type of name. Very chic.

LynetteScavo · 28/07/2011 22:17

I think it's fine as a middle name.

otchayaniye · 28/07/2011 22:21

My grandmother in law was a Vernon. Just kept being given to everyone in the family

fine as a middle name

mathanxiety · 29/07/2011 02:34

It's a perfectly lovely middle name. I think you are making a storm in a teacup.

MummysLittleSunbeams · 30/07/2011 22:43

Lolots Siamo!!

MirandaGoshawk · 30/07/2011 22:46

It's fine as a middle name. Just tell people that her dad is forrin & they'll forgive you .

BodyUnknown · 31/07/2011 19:44

I think Raymonde is rather beautiful. It looks lovely on paper and has a pleasant sound.

Andie20521 · 01/08/2011 09:17

I had to bestow the middle name of Zwannie on my DD, after MIL. Hopefully she will see it as an interesting conversation point about her Dutch heritiage rather than an embarressment. I was not keen at all but DH was resolute that he had always promised his Mother he would call his DD1 after her.

8 months on its never been used, and except for at her baptism!

I really wouldn't worry.

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