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Baby names

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

Original poster

Hélène or Marguerite - which one is your favourite?

33 replies

language · 24/08/2012 12:18

These are our favourites - we can't decide between them (our last name is French). Which name do you prefer and why?

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airedailleurs · 28/08/2012 16:00

my cousin's wife is called Marguerite (she is English) and she usually gets called Mag...

YoullLaughAboutItOneDay · 28/08/2012 13:22

Marguerite is lovely as you are French (I always thinks names like that look a bit 'try hard' if you don't have a link with the country. Also those Amiee instead of Amy's etc).

GlitterPinkRubberDucky · 28/08/2012 12:44

Helene is lovely

Olympicnmix · 28/08/2012 11:02

I think Helene (sorry can't do the accents) and Marguerite are both classic names, Helene probably the more so given its origins. Both have the potential to be anglicised in the UK but I find that people you meet, especially the ones important to your dd, do pronounce it correctly. Ds1 has a Julie in his class pn the Czech way, and nobody at school gets it wrong, probably because names are so cosmopolitan these days.

Personally I like Helene more, as it's classically simple and beautiful but imo you can't go wrong with either name.

Bonsoir · 28/08/2012 10:53

That's not a list of classic names - it's a mixture of classic and dated names!

Original poster
language · 28/08/2012 10:46

Here is a list of classic names I found:
nameberry.com/list/322/Classic-Girls-Names

Would you add any to this list?

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 27/08/2012 21:36

"Dated" is a name that is no longer given but that was very popular at some point in the past.

"Classic" is a name that is given fairly consistently over time.

Original poster
language · 27/08/2012 20:36

It's interesting that some people think that Hélène or Marguerite as "dated". I am looking for classic, but not too popular names. The difference between classic an dated is quite subtle! I find it difficult to find a girl's name - boys' names are somehow easier!

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 27/08/2012 15:43

Both are really dated and haven't even started a come back. Having said that, Marguerite is much the prettier.

LondonInBoots · 27/08/2012 15:38

I'd vote Hélène - I'd see Marguerite as the dated one myself, it sounds really 70's, 80's to me but Hélène is really pretty - on my list anyway!

Maggie, Marge, Mags, Meg, Mag, Peg, Peggy, Rita, Rite are nn for Marguerite, can't think of any more

I'd use Hels, Ene/Ena or Nell as a nn for Hélène, but I may be pronouncing it wrong for you, we use a slightly unusual inflection in my family.

emilysmi · 26/08/2012 21:15

Marguerite is beautiful!

DizzyBeeisSchoolShoeShopping · 26/08/2012 20:37

Helene, because my friend Marguerite got called margarine at school.
I prefer Marguerite really though.

BikeRunSki · 26/08/2012 20:32

I'm sure why, but Peggy is a traditional nickname for Margaret. Also Meg.

TheApprentice · 26/08/2012 20:31

Daisy is actually a nickname from Marguerite (being that they both refer to the flower I suppose).

Original poster
language · 26/08/2012 20:29

Wow, the majority of lovely MNetters prefer Marguerite! But what would be the nicknames? I'm not keen on Marge (Simpson). Maggie? Margo?

OP posts:
baskingseals · 26/08/2012 18:08

marguerite. beautiful name.

BergamotCourtyard · 26/08/2012 17:54

Marguerite but not Margaret as it is still too reminscent of Thatcher although the Americans don't have this problem and it seems to be on the increase there with Maggie as a nn. Marguerite has lighter sound to it than Margaret and puts me in mind of the capable Marguerite Pattern.

Minty is right, Helene will just become Helene or Helen, particularly in texts and emails.

Minty82 · 26/08/2012 17:23

If she's likely to grow up in the UK I'd go for Marguerite, as Helene will just become Helen by default...

CanoeSlalom · 26/08/2012 16:27

Helene

Fireandashes · 26/08/2012 10:16

Both lovely names; Marguerite probably less likely to have pronunciation anglicised.

NurseBernard · 25/08/2012 01:38

Hmm Is it really a mouthful to pronounce? Am I missing something? It's a 3-syllable name, right?

Both are lovely, but prefer Helena out of all of them.

Original poster
language · 24/08/2012 22:50

yes, we are French but we are likely to stay in the Uk for a long time so it's important that the name also sounds good in English. I prefer Marguerite but I'm a bit concerned about spelling it out all the time... and being a mouthful to pronounce

OP posts:
manhattansunset · 24/08/2012 14:55

Helene

DrSeuss · 24/08/2012 14:48

My name is Helen Margaret and I'm a French teacher! I vote Helene Marguerite!

suedpantsoffem · 24/08/2012 14:38

Are you French? If not, I'd go for Helen or Margaret - which is how they will be pronounced anyway.