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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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NomDeClavier · 20/11/2013 10:21

I doubt it's regional as they're not families from the region (if that makes sense).

I love Violette but our surname begins with a T.

Original poster
Zaziedanslemetro · 20/11/2013 10:15

I like a lot of these, but unfortunately many have already been used in our family. Laughing at the poster who would remarry a Frenchman just for the naming possibilities! There are so many lovely "English rose" type names that I can't use (Rosamund, Cordelia, Meredith, Octavia...) and plenty of chic French ones that don't sound good in English (Garance, anyone?). So it's hard!

Re. potential shortening to Connie -I was concerned about this too, although I'm not sure this would happen in France (don't know about Germany yet). DD2 is never Maddy, only Madeleine -the French don't seem to have the same short nicknames as the English.

NomdeClavier -interestesting you think Josephine may be due a revival -I have never met one in all my years in France, but perhaps it's a regional thing too. I might have to concede that you and my DH are right, it IS cute in French, whereas I would say more elegant to English ears.
From your list I would consider Violette, Aliénor and Clemence, thanks.

OP posts:
frozentree · 20/11/2013 09:10

Coline
Amandine

tigrou · 20/11/2013 08:22

Oh, and also a Luz, which I love, although she is German/Spanish, living in France

tigrou · 20/11/2013 08:21

Some French/German girls I know are called:
Elisa
Alma
Lina
Eva
Olivia
Alice
Jenny
Emma
all of which work well in English too.

IAlwaysThought · 19/11/2013 23:40

I love Capucine. Pronounced Ca-poo-sin

NomDeClavier · 19/11/2013 23:26

I like Constance and wouldn't really associate it with Constant Snow.

Josephine is very cute. I know 2 baby Josephine's local to us in France though so I think it's coming back in popularity.

Other under 8s we know that might git the classic, traditional, not overused - Sybille, Margaux, Violette, Alix, Aliénor, Amelie, Anne-Laure (but I find that quite dated!), Anaîs, Félicie, Ondine, Claire, Capucine, Diane, Clemence, Laurence.

PoopMaster · 19/11/2013 23:26

Beatrice?
(We do find "Beatrice, no/non!" works well ??)

Mattissy · 19/11/2013 23:15

My French/Canadian friend is Genevieve, pronounced "Jen vee ev"

SS3J · 19/11/2013 23:07

Alexane
Ilona
Elea
Vivienne
Leonie

Loobylou123 · 19/11/2013 22:42

Hi
Celine is nice and works in all 3 languages. Maybe a bit dated though?

AngiBolen · 19/11/2013 22:28

Genevieve.

TheHandbagOfGlory · 19/11/2013 22:28

I love Constance, I just wondered if it would get shortened to Connie? Connie No might be a problem?

MacaYoniandCheese · 19/11/2013 22:25

Oh golly; I like all these names, especially Josephine. You are spoilt for choice! momentarily considers leaving DH for a Frenchman for all the French baby-naming possibilities

WannabeFayeMouse · 19/11/2013 22:22

Athalie (I just love that name :) )

beginnings · 19/11/2013 22:20

Cecilie?

SaucyJack · 19/11/2013 22:14

Aurelie?

IAlwaysThought · 19/11/2013 21:07

Josephine is a fab name too. I also like it with an 'a' on the end.

How about Genevieve or Mareille

PurpleGirly · 19/11/2013 20:39

Elora
Melodie

Original poster
Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 20:36

Some more positive votes for Constance then, thanks for all the input.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 20:35

Elise is good.
But it's Madeleine, not Madeline. Rhymes with Hélène, not Josephine.

OP posts:
TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 19/11/2013 20:34

I think Constance No is fine
Constance is lovely and I didn't notice the snow thing until you pointed it out

MummyPig24 · 19/11/2013 20:28

Elise?

Have you pointed out to dh that Madeline has the same ending as Josephine and he didn't think it cutesy?

IAlwaysThought · 19/11/2013 20:25

Constance is a fantastic name I LOVE it.

Original poster
Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 20:23

Yes, quite like Eloise. LOVE Marianne, but "Marianne No" = Marionnaud (big perfumerie type chain store in France). Would be even more comedy than "Constant Snow" I think! Such an annoying surname...

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