Dear lord what to do

My ds has a name from his dad's country. My stipulation was that it would be phonetically spelt (for English eyes) and easy to say. It's not a lot to ask.

It would be easier to have a name that’s (almost) the same in both countries - Sebastian, Benjamin, Michael, Thomas, Vincent, Roman...

He doesn’t get to choose. As far as I’m concerned if you don’t like it doesn’t happen. So tell him no! You both have to agree which usually involves compromise

This. It’s not that the French are stubborn it’s that your DH is being a bit of an arse.

He’s not budging eh? Who’s risking their health to plop the baby out?

''Why is it going to be so difficult? They have plenty of time to practice! And it's much easier than many of the, for example, Irish names that lots of English people use.''

@bertrandrussell, well that aint true. You're usually so logical. I need to tell you that you're not being at logical here.

So, you're told once how to say an irish name and off you go. Whatever it is. Domhnaill, Diarmuid, Fiadh, Siun, Fraoch. Believe me, there are no sounds there that are going to cause you to have to manipulate your mouth/tongue in to foreign positions. There's no difficult changing of gear in the back of the throat. No sounds in Irish that English speakers cannot make. I think you're confusing Irish with Danish! Irish is also phonetic. French has so so so so many different letter combinations that just make the 'ay' sound.

I like JP too but there are a lot of men coming up to forty named JP, after the Pope! as he was at that time.

I nearly called my son Arnaud
I thought it would fit in with all the Brunos, Milos and Hugos.

Actually what about Victor or Hugo!
I think English speakers are going to smirk at Jean-Felix. Felix works in both countries though?

Come on! Your English family will pronounce it John Felix which is very different to Jean-Félix. You can't do that to the kid or to his relatives! It's very important that you pick a name that is easy to pronounce in English, it's only fair

I get you OP. My family took years to learn how to pronounce DHs name, wouldn't want to inflict that on future children.

Fortunately though my DH isn't fond of many french names, and his army of cousins have all the good ones which he doesn't want to use.

I think you just have to say no until you agree on one (she suggests as though it's so easy...)

Why is it going to be so difficult? They have plenty of time to practice! And it's much easier than many of the, for example, Irish names that lots of English people use.

Your family will most likely just learn it after hearing and get on but if you are going to be bringing him up, schooling etc in Britain I'd probably opt for something easier all round otherwise he will be forever correcting people which gets tiresome.

I say that as someone with an easy name with a slightly unusual spelling.

He doesn’t get to choose. As far as I’m concerned if you don’t like it doesn’t happen. So tell him no! You both have to agree which usually involves compromise. I don’t think names like pierre or Antoine need ‘translating’ though, surely they are easy enough for English speakers? I like the suggestion of J-P for Jean-Pierre though.

I don't think it's a difficult name at all. Which part do you think they'll have trouble with?

Whys he being so stubborn, is his name got nothing to do with you

Can the English side call him Felix?

Or pronounce the initials as Jeff?

Could the English version just be the initials?