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Baby names

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

Original poster

Genuinely honest opinions needed please.

41 replies

MrsSET · 26/10/2013 21:07

Hey. I'm playing around with a name in my head and would appreciate some honest opinions on it because I really like it but think it could know it will be one of those names that is just a bit to out there.

I would use it if I had a little girl as, despite it being a boys name, I think it is very elegant, classy and feminine but commonly used.

I also think it goes with my first daughters name well which Maud. I'm wary of having another old fashioned name and making them sound like a pair of old woman!!

Anyway, enough of a build up now!

It is Etienne.

Let me know what you think. I know if I really like it overall I should go with it, but am interested in what you say.

While I'm here! If it is a boy, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with Elwood/Woody Saul.

Feel free to suggest alternatives if you have any you think it is worth me considering.

Thank you!

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DeputyDeputyChiefOfStaff · 26/10/2013 22:08

I agree that Etienne sounds quite pretty and feminine but I think most people would know it's a boy's name so I wouldn't use it for a girl - sorry! I used to know an Etain, which has quite a similar sound, if that's any use to you?

PicardyThird · 26/10/2013 22:01

Honestly, no, you can't call your dd Etienne. It will bite her on the bum on her first French exchange. At the latest.

How about Eloise? Elodie? Fabienne? Leonie? All in similar vein IMO and very pretty girls' names.

if you have a boy, mind you, Etienne would be a lot nicer than Elwood (sorry).

Slothlorien · 26/10/2013 21:51

I like it!

Original poster
MrsSET · 26/10/2013 21:29

You've said the only thing that is stopping me... French for Stephen. But even despite that, I still keep coming back to it. I checked and there were 9 baby girls called it in the UK last year... I'm still going to ponder it..

Let me know if you have any other suggestions.

Re Elwood - my husband really wants it. I'll call the baby Woody though. Happy to let him have it. And yes it was one of the blues brothers!

Thanks for all your comments. Not sure how I'm going to shake it from my mind though...!

OP posts:
User3433399 · 26/10/2013 21:25

What about Vivienne, Juliette, Ottilie?

All very pretty girls names with similar length and 'feel'.

googietheegg · 26/10/2013 21:22

It's ok. I wouldn't say it goes with Maud at all, not that it matters. Actually, I do like it, but I don't know if its good enough to pick.

Allalonenow · 26/10/2013 21:21

The Etiennes I have know have all been male, it is the French equivalant of Stephen, so it would be rather like calling your daughter Harold.
If you have son, Etienne would be a lovely name, but I don't think it works for a girl. Have you thought of Stephanie or Estella?

User3433399 · 26/10/2013 21:21

I'm not sure your daughter would thank you when she's older. Imagine meeting a French girl called Stephen - you'd think her parents were nuts (or didn't know it was a masculine name and feel very sorry for the girl being lumbered with it)

You may think it's pretty but honestly, don't do it. I know a baby boy Etienne locally (South East England), it's common enough that people will pick up on it constantly.

WhyIRayLiotta · 26/10/2013 21:21

My initial reaction was that it was lovely. Very feminine. I don't know anyone named Etienne so wouldn't have immediatly pegged it as a boys name.

However... bundaberg mentioning that it is French for Stephen - would put me off it as a girls name. Sorry.

noblegiraffe · 26/10/2013 21:21

Why would you give a girl a boys name? That's just asking for all sorts of confusion.
People would be expecting a French boy.

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 26/10/2013 21:19

I love love love it for a boy, but not sure for a girl. Smile

scrivette · 26/10/2013 21:19

I love that name, when I mentioned it to a couple of people they did think it sounded like a girls name!

sonlypuppyfat · 26/10/2013 21:18

Elwood wasn't he one of the Blues Brothers

bundaberg · 26/10/2013 21:17

btw I LOVE it for a boy

bundaberg · 26/10/2013 21:17

ha... i wish there was an edit button!

now i've re-read your OP I can see you quite clearly state that it's a boys name :-D

i wouldn't use it for a girl because I know that it's the french version of Stephen and that would really annoy me

bundaberg · 26/10/2013 21:16

Etienne is a boys name