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Baby names

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Original poster

Hortense?

68 replies

Moopsy · 10/07/2012 13:04

Hello,

I am French and dh is English. Dd is called Josephine and we are expecting another little girl.

Being French, I aboslutely LOVE the name Hortense (pronounced "hor-tawns"), and only get compliments from French people on the name and how graceful, feminine and elegant it is and what a beautiful choice it is for our new arrival. In France, this was the name of the adopted daughter of Napoleon who was very beautiful and kind, and Hortense Mancini another woman famous for her beauty and intelligence. It is a very classic name and quite popular back home.

However whenever I mention it to english speakers they look simply horrified.

So obviously some sort of cultural shock here... Grin

As we will be living mostly in English speaking countries I don't want the little one to be bullied but I just don't quite understand where the issue is... I spot the word game with wh*re, which doesn't disturb me too much as kids will always find something. But what about the name itself? Why do I get such bad reactions from people? Confused

Thanks for your help. Smile

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aureliacecilia · 21/10/2020 18:57

www.behindthename.com/top/lists/france/2019 There's some pretty names here. Ambre, Luna, Margaux, etc.

LittleTiger007 · 21/10/2020 16:55

Oh my zombie thread

LittleTiger007 · 21/10/2020 16:51

The French pronunciation is beautiful, however with the best will in the world English speakers will say Haw-Tense and that’s a much harsher sounding name. The ‘Hor’ part may very well invite mockery sadly.

midsomermurderess · 20/10/2020 18:53

For some reason it makes me think of Babar the Elephant. But that was Celeste, wasn't it?

Katgolde · 20/10/2020 18:30

Zombie Thread

Gertonss · 20/10/2020 18:22

Whore tense? Or Tense whore?

Those are the first words that come to mind. Followed by a question. Did she really say "whore tense"? Or maybe she meant "tense whore"?

You can always expect an honest response from Gertonss.

WandaDoff · 14/07/2012 03:20

I like Maria. it works in most languages.

I may be slightly biased though.

EugenesAxe · 14/07/2012 03:14

I like it but as (similar) for another poster, I hear it as hor-TEN-zeh.

Also agree would never have thought of whore.

Lannie33 · 14/07/2012 02:06

Would never have thought of 'whore'. I like different, unique, multicultural names so it has nothing to do with me "not being used to it". For me i just don't like the sound of it at all. Can't really explain why...just sounds ugly to my ears, and makes me think of an overweight, uptight, unattractive, boring middle-aged or elderly spinster.
Josephine is very pretty though.
What about other french/english names, like Clara, Emilie, Sophie, Charlotte, Chloe?

klaritaf · 14/07/2012 01:03

please don't call your daughter Hortense, it would be tantamount to child abuse, and I am not joking.

NurseBernard · 14/07/2012 01:01

The 'whore' sound doesn't put me off. In fact, I can't quite put my finger on what does put me off.

There is just something about the sound to Anglo ears (or, at least, to my ears - I'm not English/British, by the way) that sounds very clunky, masculine (which isn't bad per se, but when combined with other 'negative' qualities, can be), a bit blue-stocking (again, not bad in and of itself) and, um, does-a-lot-of-good-work-raising-funds-for-the-WI, wears sensible shoes and possibly has a mono-bosom.

I can imagine that it has very, very different connotations to French-speakers and a lot of that is probably in the pronunciation!!

VolAuVent · 14/07/2012 00:56

Hermione
Henriette
Heloise
Honore
Harriette
Élodie
Stéphanie
Angelique
Pénélope
Clémence
Véronique
Serafina
Juliette
Anastasie

Dominodonkey · 14/07/2012 00:13

Agree with most other posters.
Hor - tense (as it would be pronounced) is really frumpy in English.

There are so many beautiful French names....

Marie
Odette
Amelie
Yvette
Fabienne
Anais
Aurelie
Cecile

etc

Original poster
Moopsy · 13/07/2012 21:27

Simply because hortensia is a flower in France but not one used as a name and so it would sound just really silly and odd for a French child. Maybe we are a bit narrow minded too... Wink

Fabienne is very 80s and Genevieve very old but not old traditional chic like some other ones...just old...sorry! Blush

I think that's going to be a tough one... Grin Probably a new thread soon... Wink

Thank you again for all the opinions! Smile

OP posts:
beatofthedrum · 13/07/2012 11:34

Love Genevieve!

Fireandashes · 13/07/2012 00:28

How about Genevieve? A beautiful name whether pronounced the French or English way.

twonker · 12/07/2012 21:58

Yes, I have the same question as mulberry moon.... Please tell us!

MulberryMoon · 12/07/2012 21:54

Why would she be mocked for Hortensia in France out of interest?

ExitPursuedByABear · 12/07/2012 19:56

Ahem - I like it.

GnocchiNineDoors · 12/07/2012 19:52

Fabienne?

Original poster
Moopsy · 12/07/2012 19:47

Thank you so much for all your messages. It all gives me food for thought. While I love that name in France (pronounced or-tawns but I was trying to anglicise it), I wouldn't want her to taunted over it..

It was interesting to understand better how people would react to her name and why.

Hortensia wouldn't work. She would be mocked...in France! Wink

Amelie is very 80s and quite common in France. Luckily I have 3 months to think again, loads of other bilingual names to consider until the birth. Probably 1 or 2 more threads on mumsnet to come. Wink

Thanks again! Smile

OP posts:
blueglue · 12/07/2012 15:38

I think it's a no no personally.

Hor = whore

Tense whore?!

GnocchiNineDoors · 12/07/2012 15:32

I've heard of Hortensia before but not Hortense.

I dont like it, sorry. But then I dont have to like it Grin

minipie · 12/07/2012 15:26

Surely the reason people ask opinions on MN (rather than asking their RL friends) is because they want an honest opinion not a tactful one?

If we all gave tactful responses this board would be rather quiet Grin

iseenodust · 12/07/2012 13:56

It sort of sits with Gertrude. Old fashioned, harsh sounding with english accents. Something like Amelie crosses the channel more intact.