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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can any French-English MNers help me name DD3?

106 replies

Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 19:36

We are a French/English family currently living in Germany, and have just found out I'm expecting a 3rd DD! We are having trouble finding another girl's name which "works" in both French and English, and is at least pronouncable for Germans.
DDs 1 and 2 are Esther and Madeleine, and we would like to continue with these sort of classic/traditional/not-massively-overused names.

We both really like Constance, but there is a dilemma re. our surname. It sounds like "No". Just that, one syllable. If you say "Constance No" out loud, does it sound silly in English? I think it's fine in French, and we are unlikely to go and live in England, but still... Would be interested to know what people think!

Also, I love Josephine, but French DH thinks it's a bit to "cutesy" with the -ine ending. Any other suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks for any help!

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ohtanmybum · 20/11/2013 22:43

Elise, Celeste, Collette, Mariette, Angelique, Solange.

Yika · 20/11/2013 21:57

I like garance but it's true, it's not great in English. I think Diane is good (think Diane Kruger, works well in the 3 languages).
I don't like Constance No, sorry (I quite like Constance otherwise, but don't think it works).
What about Rebecca, Anya, Lea or Clara?
I think Isolde/Iseult is simply beautiful and not poncey.

NomDeClavier · 20/11/2013 21:41

Today's baby news brings us Isaure and Garance...

Original poster
Zaziedanslemetro · 20/11/2013 19:50

Some more great suggestions here, lots of food for thought.

Isolde/Iseult -I had forgotten about these! Not quite sure I dare for fear of poncery, but they might go on the list anyway! Also thinking about going in the other direction with something very classic -Lucie or Clémence, for example.
Thanks again to all.

OP posts:
Allthebees · 20/11/2013 19:40

Marianne

Bonsoir · 20/11/2013 18:33

My French- English 9 year old is called Flora Elisabeth Zoe and her similar first cousin is called Lucie Constance Beatrice.

Belgianchox · 20/11/2013 17:05

Lucie, Hélène, Alice, Sophie, Emma, Anna, I quite like Maureen in French Blush I realise I may be alone in that...

AuldAlliance · 20/11/2013 17:05

I know 2 Josephines, one is 14, the other 8. One in the S-W, one in Provence.
Both get called JoJo...

frenchfancy · 20/11/2013 16:41

Sorry first should read Garence

frenchfancy · 20/11/2013 16:41

In France the Genvieves I know are in their 50's, the Sylvie's in their late 40's and the Celine's in their late 30's.

At our school we have

Garenne
Sarah
Mary-Lou
Angèle
Flora
Charlotte
Mylène
Laura
Maïtena
Chloé
Elena
Louise
Éloïse
Emma
Lali

lookatmybutt · 20/11/2013 16:32

Yseult is the French version of Isolde. It's a fine, ancient name. I knew an Eseld (Cornish version).

sashh · 20/11/2013 15:56

Josephine is a great name.

Catherine?

I think a long name that can have different nick names in different countries / with different friends might be the way to go.

brackengirl · 20/11/2013 15:56

Whatever you choose I'm sure it will lovely as you have excellent taste (DD2 is named Esther Madeleine!)

LoveAndDeath · 20/11/2013 15:45

It's celtic rather than French but what about Isolde?

GraduallyGoingInsane · 20/11/2013 15:23

Chloe? Ines? Clemence? Mathilde?

Toomuch2young · 20/11/2013 15:23

Magali?
Lily?
Océane?

Some pretty names i know of French girls having.

Or how about a name which works as an English name with a French spelling such as Aimeé or Emile.
Good luck.

AbiRoad · 20/11/2013 15:20

Vivienne
Axelle (I know a half-French Axelle living in England and think it is a fab name)

lookatmybutt · 20/11/2013 15:03

I quite like Adrienne and Vivienne because I think they sound pretty but sophisticated.

I really like Etienne, but that would be a bit odd Grin

JamNan · 20/11/2013 14:55

Beatrice? It means 'happy'.

doodlyfiddly · 20/11/2013 14:04

What about Ariana? Elise was going to be my other one, but it's been mentioned.

gotthemoononastick · 20/11/2013 12:34

I give you our little girls (always passed on) family name from the Bourbon Isles ( Reunion)

 Lyontine.
BoyMeetsWorld · 20/11/2013 12:33

We had the same problem, but for boys names.

For a girl...I think Josephine is beautiful and not too cutesie at all. Some other ones I like...

Katia
Brigitte
Sylvie
Celeste
Juliette
Elise
Blondine
Amandine
Helene

TigerTrumpet · 20/11/2013 12:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NomDeClavier · 20/11/2013 12:16

Haha! No I live in deepest darkest Normandy - practically England - and of that list there are 4 local, 2 from Brittany, 3 from around Lyon (2 are Franco-American), 4 from Paris, 1 from Nimes, 2 from Bordeaux, 3 from Toulon, 1 Belgian/French and 1 Brit/French. But they all live here for one reason or another either long-term or on a posting.

The only ones of which there are only one are Félicie, Ondine and Violette! And then there are lots of Maries etc and some other names that I wouldn't count as traditional or underused! I just gave you a selection that happened to fit your criteria.

Original poster
Zaziedanslemetro · 20/11/2013 11:48

Ah, OK. Looking at your list I was seeing "Figaro-chic", and imagining you in a "naice" area of Paris Grin

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