Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

French speakers - help with this name?

32 replies

ErrantBakedBean · 31/05/2018 13:21

DH and I love the Cornish name Oula (family heritage and the name means 'owl' which is sweet). My issue is I think it's also an expression of surprise or irritation in France. Am I right? Would our French friends (I dont want to ask them just yet!) think we'd lost the plot?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
ErrantBakedBean · 11/06/2018 05:31

Fluctuat Oh no! Never heard of it Grin

OP posts:
Bubblesoup · 09/06/2018 07:54

Shame as its very pretty! What about Oona/Una?

FluctuatNecMergitur · 08/06/2018 11:42

OK so I just asked DH who is French and he thought I meant Ulla (as in the Swedish name) and immediately jumped to a well-known sex hotline back in the day, 3615 Ulla. So actually I'm going to say probably better off as a middle name.

frenchfancy · 02/06/2018 21:57

I live in France too and think it's a lovely name. I think you are over thinking it.

Original poster
ErrantBakedBean · 02/06/2018 21:51

Thanks Love It's a shame but I think it'll have to be a middle name! Appreciate the responses everyone.

OP posts:
LoveInTokyo · 02/06/2018 18:44

I live in France and would say it would be a pain for her if she ever spends a lot of time here. Everyone she meets will comment on it.

Original poster
ErrantBakedBean · 02/06/2018 15:54

Greenrut Grin I bet everyone thinks you're reeeeally friendly.
Thanks everyone - seems to be a mix.

OP posts:
FluctuatNecMergitur · 02/06/2018 12:19

Actually I think it would be OK as French people are getting more used to weird and wonderful names.

EmilyAlice · 01/06/2018 07:15

I should add that I haven't seen it written down so am guessing the spelling in French. I have neighbours who use it a lot though.

EmilyAlice · 01/06/2018 07:13

It isn't the same exclamation as oh là là. It is Ou là and used (round here anyway) with a downward inflection to mean things like oh dear, whoops, oh no.
So the name would sound a bit odd.

GreenRut · 01/06/2018 06:33

Try having an Orla and being on holiday in Spain 😁

Original poster
ErrantBakedBean · 31/05/2018 23:46

French folks, if you were writing it down (to mean oh gosh) would you spell it oula?

OP posts:
Original poster
ErrantBakedBean · 31/05/2018 23:43

Thanks. Yeah its definitely Oo-la not Ow-la!

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 31/05/2018 22:01

I've heard of oolala! But not Oula...

MikeUniformMike · 31/05/2018 21:58

Don't call her Penny or Connie.

MaybeyBaybey · 31/05/2018 19:31

*name

MaybeyBaybey · 31/05/2018 19:30

Owla sounds like Aua (Owla without the l. Pretty much like the bird but with a tacked on a) in German. With means ouch.

And it sounds pretty much exactly like Aula (auditorium) ;)

It's a really pretty name. But Idk whether it's a name I'd pick if I was planning on moving to France or Germany.

But it is a lovely (imo). :)

TatianaLarina · 31/05/2018 18:02

One problem is is that if you pronounce it Owla she will get called growler.

LittleTipple · 31/05/2018 14:51

If you like the name go for it, but if you've got any serious doubts I'd consider choosing a different one. You don't need the stress of worrying about it or feeling you need to explain it to people. Go with your gut instinct.

Original poster
ErrantBakedBean · 31/05/2018 14:18

Thanks all. I just worry that in the UK we're so close to France, if LO wanted to work or live over there one day (Brexit permitting...) they might be at a disadvantge, being essentially called Blimey.

OP posts:
ManInTheMoonMarigold · 31/05/2018 14:01

It does sound a bit strange, but I would say the French expression is pronounced more like Oh La rather than Oo La.

When British people appropriate the phrase to mean something a bit risque - oooh la la - they do use the Oo sound though.

TatianaLarina · 31/05/2018 13:51

If sounds fairly odd in English to be fair.

Is it Oola or Owla?

Charm23 · 31/05/2018 13:51

It's lovely. I'd use it if you like it and has a connection to your family heritage.

MaybeyBaybey · 31/05/2018 13:46

Yes, kind of. It's also a bit like oh gosh, oh my goodness. (E.g. oh gosh, she's a really bad cook.)

(If I'm pronouncing that correctly)

But that only matters if you're in a francophone area or speak French at home imo.

Elelfrance · 31/05/2018 13:44

yeah that sounds very weird in French
Now if you're not going to spend much time in France I wouldn't worry too much about it !