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Baby names

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

Original poster

Etienne....for a girl?

109 replies

Mammammio · 02/01/2015 20:04

Is this a massive no no? I know it's 'Stephen' in French, we are not french and live in the UK but we both love this name and prefer for a girl. Would you assume this was a boy if you heard it? She would go by Etti as a nickname and be called that the majority of the time but I think that the full version is lovely.

I know a little girl called Elliotte and another called Dylan and no one seems too fussed but wondered what people think?

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Teladi · 02/01/2015 20:31

To me it is like calling a new baby girl Stephen!

Henriette, Yvette?

Original poster
Mammammio · 02/01/2015 20:32

Wow, it really divides opinion! Interesting.

I love Abel, very cute but wouldn't work with our surname either. Never heard that before though. :-)

OP posts:
velourvoyageur · 02/01/2015 20:33

Netty not trying to be fighty but the OP likes the name, she's not trying to be edgy or cool....at least I don't get that impression.

museumum · 02/01/2015 20:33

I suppose it's like Michelle?
But I would 100% assume it was a boy so I guess it depends if you're going to be bothered by that. Like a female Dylan or Elliot - no right to be annoyed if people say "he".
Personally I'm not keen on gendered clothing so would prefer a name that's genuinely unisex like Alex or chris or one that's feminine.

HollyAndIvyTime · 02/01/2015 20:34

I speak passable (well, ish....) French and didn't realise it was 'Stephen'. I like it and I think Etti is cute.

BikeRunSki · 02/01/2015 20:35

It's a boys name. I know a little girl nicknamed Etti, it's short for Esther.

DamsonJam · 02/01/2015 20:35

Or maybe if you like that name you might like the Irish girl's name Etain? (www.babynamesofireland.com/etain)

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 02/01/2015 20:37

I think it's pretty and I'd like to use it for a girl, but unfortunately I really do think it's like calling a girl Stephen but probably wouldn't.

Enough people know it's the equivalent. Depends how much you care really. I mean we have various other m/f names Robin/Robyn, Tony/Toni, Rowen/Rowan and people don't stick to the m/f versions....so....?!

The other thing is I'd be 'over' emphasising the E of Etti in case people thought she was Hetty!

Original poster
Mammammio · 02/01/2015 20:37

Yes, comes from the love of the name and not trying to be edgy or different. DD1 has a relatively unusual but definitely feminine name, people sometimes struggle with pronunciation and I have to spell it but have never regretted it. DH loves it and I am the one that has re concern of 'if she goes to france one day' / will people always assume she is a man....although then sometimes wonder if this is such a terrible thing? I also knew a Michelle, he was gorgeous. Never thought of it like that but I think Michelle is unisex in France where as Etienne isn't...

OP posts:
LeoandBoosmum · 02/01/2015 20:38

Do you plan on having more children? I like it but I'd only give the name to a boy.

Original poster
Mammammio · 02/01/2015 20:39

Henrietta is also on our list but DD1 has a name which starts with H which puts me off...although again we would use the nickname Ettie.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mammammio · 02/01/2015 20:39

Possibly will have another child and would also consider It for a boy should we ever have one!

OP posts:
velourvoyageur · 02/01/2015 20:41

Oh I suppose you could move to France, put an H in front of it so the French think it's a chic new girls name, Hetienne, but they'll all pronounce it the same way anyway.
Or! Hettiennent. turn it into a verb, pronounce it the same way.
Anyway. Yes Hetty is a different kettle of fish to Etienne.

ICanTotallyDance · 02/01/2015 20:43

It sounds lovely and if you can ignore the connection, quite feminine.

However, I can't and I imagine there are a lot of other people who would be a bit confused by your name choice. I have an aunt whose name was misspelled only one letter to the masculine version (think Robyn-Robin) and she has had trouble with it all her life.

I know there is a bit of teen for making boys names unisex but personally, I don't really like it. I would never say anything to your face or judge the child but personally I would think it is a bit silly, or maybe that you didn't understand French culture/that it wasn't a girls name? Not if I was your friend of course, but maybe if I was a mother at the school gate etc.

Perhaps if you like the nickname Ettie/Etti, what do you think of these:

Harriet/Harriette
Annette
Henrietta
Esther
Etta
Juliet
Violet
Yvette

or for a French feel:

Antoinette
Alouette

ICanTotallyDance · 02/01/2015 20:44
  • a trend not teen, of course.
usefully · 02/01/2015 20:45

Would you ever want to go on holiday to France?

I don't think I could cope with everyone I met guffawing at my child's name, but if you have thicker skin than me, then choose whatever you want! Grin

Original poster
Mammammio · 02/01/2015 20:46

Ooooh I like Alouette, never heard that and will run by DH.

I love Arlette but know someone who has used it so I can't. They aren't close friends though so Alouette could work.

Is it pronounced Al-ooo-et?

OP posts:
anotherdayanothersquabble · 02/01/2015 20:46

Michel is the male version of Michelle though Michelle for a girl is not (in my experience) commonly used in France. The female version of Étienne is Stephanie.

usefully · 02/01/2015 20:49

Alouette would prompt me to sing the children's nursery rhyme each time I heard it.

Original poster
Mammammio · 02/01/2015 20:52

DH doesn't like alouette so that's out!

OP posts:
stiffstink · 02/01/2015 20:55

Not sure if Alouette would be a great choice given the nursery rhyme. Its a lovely name meaning lark if my rubbish french is correct but the song is something like "Alouette I will pluck your head and your neck and your beak" so it doesn't have a great story for the poor Alouette!ak

Chalalala · 02/01/2015 21:01

Alouette is even weirder, although in a different way - it's a type of bird, lark I believe? Not a name... May as well call your son Eagle or Pigeon.

ICanTotallyDance · 02/01/2015 21:09

Chalala OP has ruled out Alouette but it is a (girls') name, though you are correct, it does mean lark.

BonnieWeeJeannieMcCall · 02/01/2015 21:19

I like the sound of Etienne. I know it's a boys' name, but if I met a female Etienne, I'd assume I was mistaken and that it's unisex, rather that thinking the parents had got it wrong.

StampyShortnose · 02/01/2015 21:25

Etta is a lovely name and most definitely a girl's name!

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