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Baby names

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

Original poster

Critique our girl shortlist?

33 replies

thrillahkillah · 11/05/2012 16:18

Our surname is v unusual, begins with an O. Use Omelette as a fairly analogous name if you want to hear "flow". (seriously. Omelette.)

the idea was, names that reflect French heritage but are instantly recognisable in English.

Sylvie
Elise
Valerie
Madeleine
Eloise
Annabel

possible middle name is Marie, or none at all.

no need to suggest more names... we have been through every list available on this planet, and these are the only names DH will consider

personally am leaning towards Elise and Madeleine... but really not sure and would love to hear other impressions.

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FootballFriendSays · 11/05/2012 22:38

I have a Sylvia Eloise, I like those :)

ragged · 11/05/2012 22:33

Sylvie is only one that works with surname.

SoozleQ · 11/05/2012 22:32

Love Eloise, definitely gets my vote. Would probably go for Annabel and Elise as reserves but not keen on any of the others. I'm having the same issues - looking for names with a French element that will not be considered too out there in the UK. Struggling at the moment!

Lyftiduft · 11/05/2012 22:31

Madeleine- I like and I think of two lovely girls I teach (secondary age), although they both call themselves Maddie, followed by Sylvie 2nd choice

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 11/05/2012 20:33

Sylvie - yes
Elise - yes
Valerie - nice but the song thing might annoy you
Madeleine - ok
Eloise - love it
Annabel - ok

Fraktal · 11/05/2012 20:28

Eloise or Sylvie (but deeply unfashionable here) and quite like Valerie (however its been ruined by the song j'aimerais qu'elle m'aime for me Sad)

BiscuitNibbler · 11/05/2012 20:22

Valerie is the best of those by a country mile.

PestoPenguin · 11/05/2012 20:20

Eloise

Original poster
thrillahkillah · 11/05/2012 20:11

Llan i like Solange myself, and Bobbi I love Elodie, but DH having none of it. the six names in the OP are quite literally the only ones he will countenance.

he could have wanted to use Madysynne or something, so i think i'm quite lucky on balance.

OP posts:
BobbiFleckman · 11/05/2012 20:06

I've got an Eloise - check the books about Eloise who lives in the Plaza hotel.

what about Elodie or Eloisa? or the alternative spelling Heloise?

Llanbobl · 11/05/2012 20:03

That's how I pronounce Solange - I love it, but appreciate it's not to everyone's taste

Original poster
thrillahkillah · 11/05/2012 19:50

There is no McCann association here (not in UK), so Madeleine McCann is not an issue at all.

Solange is prn French-style, "sohl-ahnj" i suppose.

OP posts:
Coconutty · 11/05/2012 19:47

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Coconutty · 11/05/2012 19:46

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everlong · 11/05/2012 19:46

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BBQJuly · 11/05/2012 19:43

I like Annabel best, and it would flow nicely with your surname. Valerie quite nice too.

Original poster
thrillahkillah · 11/05/2012 19:10

i am also very fond of Valerie but have received some dreadful comments about it, and am deeply unkeen on "Val".

i think it's on the cusp of revival but i may not be brave enough to use it. :(

OK so far it seems Madeleine, followed by Sylvie and then Eloise, are the most liked. (btw we are not in UK, no McCann association and Sylvie isn't popular here)

more opinions welcomed!

OP posts:
MarySA · 11/05/2012 17:44

I like Valerie too. And Vivienne is lovely.

PercyFilth · 11/05/2012 17:41

I love Valerie, can't understand why everyone else is hating it. It is not currently fashionable, which would be a plus point for me.

Llanbobl · 11/05/2012 17:05

Sylvie is my favourite from your list. I'm not a fan of Valerie - much prefer Vivienne or Genevieve.
Can I persuade you to consider Solange? I love that name - if I were ever to have another daughter that would be a real contender

MarySA · 11/05/2012 17:00

I like them all. Perhaps Madeleine the least and Sylvie best. I also like Sylvia and Veronica which you never hear these days.

lockets · 11/05/2012 16:49

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MoonHare · 11/05/2012 16:49

My favourite is Eloise, great namesakes - the Eloise (not sure if spelling was the same) as in Eloise and Abelard was very feisty plus there's that song by The Damned (?).

Next favourite is Elise.

Not keen on any of the others, especially don't like Sylvie, in English it is just too cutsie, might be different in French.

SoupDragon · 11/05/2012 16:47

Sylvie - OK
Elise, Eloise - Like
Valerie - really dislike
Madeleine, Annabel - Meh

MadameChinLegs · 11/05/2012 16:38

Sylvie - LOVE it, and would have it for if I had a DD2, however it is coming up a LOT on these threads
Elise - do not like
Valerie - do not like, prefer Vivienne
Madeleine - do not like
Eloise - do not like
Annabel - do not like