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Baby names

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

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!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FrequentFlyerRandomDent · 19/11/2013 20:23

Astrid
Marianne
Sarah
Karine
Stephanie
Geraldine
Claire
Isabelle
Annabelle
Corinne

Ludivine.

youcancallmeEl · 19/11/2013 20:21

BTW also like Josephine, not cutesy at all.

youcancallmeEl · 19/11/2013 20:19

Ha Ha Pia No! I couldn't figure out the problem with Constance until you explained it. I don't think many people would pick up on it and would just go with that if you love it.
Other suggestions: Eloise, Clarisse, Marianne (though "n" sound at end not so good with surname).

Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 20:00

Perhaps there is hope then, UriGeller?! It's also a family name, so would love to use it.

OP posts:
Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 19:59

Xmasbaby11 -damn, I was hoping people would say it wasn't a problem!!

Thanks for this Mathanxiety. Though "Pia No" has already been dismissed ;-)
Léonie and Charlotte are nice.

OP posts:
UriGeller · 19/11/2013 19:57

Even if your surname was Snow, Constance Snow sounds like a great, admirable name. So Constance No is fine. I like it.

mathanxiety · 19/11/2013 19:56

Maybe not Pia No Grin

mathanxiety · 19/11/2013 19:55

Some French names that are currently in the top 25 in Germany (approximately as I don't think there is an official publication on this as there is in some other countries):
Leonie
Marie
Lea
Charlotte
Amelie
Emilie
Sophie

Names that are popular in Germany (top 100) and probably wouldn't flummox a French or English person:
Mia
Pia
Zoe
Emma
Frida
Isabelle
Eva
Romy
Annabelle/ Annabel

These would all work well in English too.

Xmasbaby11 · 19/11/2013 19:55

Agree about Constance - avoid with your surname!

UriGeller · 19/11/2013 19:55

Marcelle?

Xmasbaby11 · 19/11/2013 19:54

Amelie

Amelia v popular in the UK.

Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 19:53

Thanks for all this help. Will go through them all later with DH too. Can anyone hear the "Constance No" problem though? I'm worried it sounds like "Contant snow"...

OP posts:
MortifiedAnyFuckerAdams · 19/11/2013 19:52

Emmanuelle

Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 19:50

More good suggestions, can't keep up! Louise and Juliette are possibilities. Hope Louise not too dated in th UK though.

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ProfondoRosso · 19/11/2013 19:50

I'm a big fan of Lucienne/Lucie Smile

The French girls I know are named: Marion, Clemence, Emeline, Zoe, Margaux, Chloe, Lise, Jennifer, Josee and Fanny (maybe scrap that last one Grin) and they're all in their 20s. Sorry for missing accents, cannot figure them out on this phone.

AbiRoad · 19/11/2013 19:50

Juliette
Sylvie
Delphine

MaybeIAmJustLikeMyMother · 19/11/2013 19:50

I love the short surname, but as 'no' has an English meaning it would make good sense to not-so-popular name so she will mainly be known by her first name.
How about Florence, Clementine? Constance is good too.

Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 19:49

Yes, had thought of Camille, but it's so popular at the moment! DD1 knows at least 3

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 19/11/2013 19:48

Stella
Alice
Rose
Anna
Anya
Louise/a
Juliette

Josephine is one of my favourite names

Aethelfleda · 19/11/2013 19:48

Otilie? Amelie? Bridgitte? Juliette? Alicia?

Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 19:48

Yes, quite like these, OlyRoller. Funnily enough Henriette is one of DD1's middle names... See, we've used all the good ones already!

OP posts:
timmyinatizzy · 19/11/2013 19:47

I know a French/English family with a Camille. Nn Cammy.

Zaziedanslemetro · 19/11/2013 19:45

Elizabeth is lovely but is one of DD2's middle names!
Not so keen on Elodie or Fabienne, but always grateful for ideas!

OP posts:
OlyRoller · 19/11/2013 19:45

Anouk
Anais
Henriette
Helene

BearPear · 19/11/2013 19:45

My French buddy is called Laure. She's nuts, but don't let that put you off!