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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby girl Lourdes?

33 replies

Wakeupcall2018 · 09/04/2018 20:13

What is your opinion on the name Lourdes? I also like the name Ophelia. What other names may I like?

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florascotia2 · 10/04/2018 20:04

I expect everyone knows this, but just in case not, Lourdes (and also names such as Dolores, Consuelo etc ) are all short versions of longer names beginning with 'Maria' (ie the Virgin Mary). So
Lourdes = Mary of Lourdes (the town where a young girl was said to have had visions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto)
Dolores = Mary of the Sorrows
Consuelo = Mary of Consolation

and so on, through Luz, Milagros, Paz, Pilar, Rosario etc etc etc
It does seem a little strange to use so very religious a name if you do not follow that religion, but each to their own, I suppose.

Zoflorabore · 10/04/2018 19:53

The Gerrard's ( Steven and Alex ) of football world have a dd called Lourdes.

I wonder how it's pronounced properly...

TatianaLarina · 10/04/2018 19:47

It’s a famous town in France and pronounced Loo-ord (hard to reproduce exactly).

If you were South American you could argue for the Spanish pronunciation.

In the U.K. you’re either stuck with the original French or the British mispronunciation as in Lords the cricket ground.

Tansie1 · 10/04/2018 18:50

It'll always be Lourdes, rhymes with floors.

Tansie1 · 10/04/2018 18:48

I sort of see it as cultural misappropriation unless you're proper Catholic.

Another generation, another time, I know but my aunt (b. 1931...)- mum's sister, called her eldest a very similarly Catholic name in honour of her favourite nun at the school. She, her DD, is now 60. Mum's family weren't Catholic at all but the girls were sent to a convent school anyway. But the issues my cousin had when she had a relationship with a NI Protestant, about 10 years ago- His family couldn't accept that she wasn't Catholic with a name like that........

WhateverTakesYaFancy · 10/04/2018 17:09

I really like Lourdes. I prefer the 'Lord-ez' pronunciation, as I have only known one person with this name in RL and thats how she pronounced it. I thought it was beautiful.

Ophelia I think has far worse connotations than Madonna, yet seems to be fairly popular. If you're going to name your child after a Shakespeare character, don't name her after one of the most pathetic (is my opinion!).

Winterfield · 10/04/2018 17:04

I really like Lourdes, though I do think either Catholic or Madonna. So strong and distinctive, though.

How about:

Ines/Inez
Carmen
Fearne
Anais
Briseis
Thais
Rosario
Eloise/Eloisa
Honor
Vivien
Paloma
Arden
Arliss
Maren
Sabine

HaroldsSoCalledBluetits · 09/04/2018 22:50

Other names like it: Ariane, Noelia, Luz, Lorena, Lucila.

AtSea1979 · 09/04/2018 22:44

I don’t like either sorry but you did ask!

HaroldsSoCalledBluetits · 09/04/2018 22:43

I associate it with South/Central America, particularly Peru, where it is a fairly common name. I think it's lovely. Didn't think of France until I saw the other responses on this thread.

Speedy85 · 09/04/2018 22:42

I really like the name Lourdes and can’t think of another name I love as much

Is it possible to explain what it is you like about the name so that people can suggest others you might like?

TatianaLarina · 09/04/2018 22:34

I would never go for a name that’s so strongly associated with a celeb.
Sad copy cat wannabe.

chezmk1988 · 09/04/2018 22:22

Madonna is all I think of

DanceDisaster · 09/04/2018 22:21

I like Ophelia a lot. I only know one.

Lobsterquadrille2 · 09/04/2018 22:17

I like Ophelia and I have a Miranda and a Cordelia (the latter is a cat). Also liked Ianthe, Artemis, Hebe and Adelaide.

MakeItStopNeville · 09/04/2018 22:03

I know a Lourdes. She is the bitchiest teen I've ever met....and I went to a girl's school. So, for that sole reason, it's a no from me! Grin

BringMeCoffeePlease · 09/04/2018 22:02

Love it.

Askance · 09/04/2018 21:59

How about Lourda?

1haudyerwheesht · 09/04/2018 21:56

I'd also assume you were devout catholic. Nothing wrong with that but might raise a few eyebrows if you're not.

strawberrypenguin · 09/04/2018 20:46

Makes me think Madonna. Also not sure how to say it so I wouldn't use it.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 09/04/2018 20:41

I think it's lovely, once people know her name, they're not likely to forget it.

ReversingSnail · 09/04/2018 20:40

I'd think "Madonna".

DramaAlpaca · 09/04/2018 20:39

I'd assume you were very religious if I heard you had a DD called Lourdes.

Ophelia is better.

vitaminC · 09/04/2018 20:37

Lourdes is a town in France, but also an adjective in French, meaning "heavy", which would be unfortunate for a young girl!
And yes, I would assume you were either very Catholic or a huge Madonna fan.
Ophelia is ok, but I'd worry about the potential for teasing ("I feel ya") Sad

How about Aurelia?

Original poster
Wakeupcall2018 · 09/04/2018 20:37

I really like the name Lourdes and can’t think of another name I love as much, but I also don’t want to give her a name that she’ll end up hating

OP posts: