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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boy's name - work in French and English

87 replies

LeBFG · 19/10/2012 17:45

My mum can't pronounce anything vaguely French but we live in France. So, we're looking for boys names that work in both languages and are pronounced vaguely the same for ease of switching.

Problem is, last time round, we struggled like hell and finally settled on Leon just after DS's birth - very last minute. Found out a few weeks ago we're expecting another boy. A girl's name would be soooo much easier Hmm....

Any help appreciated.

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Original poster
LeBFG · 19/10/2012 19:46

We're quite fussy too which is why this is a whole nightmare. DH doesn't like Luc, but again, the idea is right.

ContinentalKat - so pleased I don't have that to contend with. I think, ultimately, we'll just go with what we like and be brave.

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Original poster
LeBFG · 19/10/2012 19:44

I like the idea rezzle thanks. Spot on. DH has just vetoed it though....

OP posts:
MrsApplepants · 19/10/2012 19:43

Michel?

NapOfTheDamned · 19/10/2012 19:42

Luc/Luke?

ContinentalKat · 19/10/2012 19:41

Friends of ours have 2 ds and their names had to work in French, English, Dutch and Polish (very complicated and scattered family life!). They decided to name them Nick and Tim.

rezzle · 19/10/2012 19:40

Corentin? You could use the nickname Cory if there are pronunciation issues

Original poster
LeBFG · 19/10/2012 19:35

I love Adam and although the name is more or less the same in French I couldn't quite bring myself around to liking the French nasal pronouciation. To improve that we could name him Adame, but apparently that sounds arab?

If I lived in the UK I wouldn't hesitate calling DS2 Jake, but the straw poll of French I've tried this on have been bewildered with the pronuciation and spelling Hmm. Not easy!

OP posts:
javotte · 19/10/2012 19:28

I am half-French, half-English. If DD2 had been a boy, she would have been Adam.

Original poster
LeBFG · 19/10/2012 19:26

Names like Charles exist in both languages but are pronounced quite differently. So we wanted to avoid those sorts of names. I know of a few French Charlies though and this would work well...though we don't go on it a whole bunch. We like Louis too but my nephew is called this.

OP posts:
KennethParcell · 19/10/2012 17:52

Gregoir (Greg/or)

My french friend wanted to call her son Martin. MarTANN, but still, Martin! Grin Don't do that!

ISingSoprano · 19/10/2012 17:49

Henry - Henri?

Selky · 19/10/2012 17:47

David
Sebastian
Paul
Charles
Claude
Michael