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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ciel for a girl- am I mad?

57 replies

Summerloving17 · 23/04/2019 19:05

I’ve got a long way to go but I like thinking of names!
This will be my rainbow baby after 3 years of ivf and two losses which made me think of “arc en ciel” (rainbow in french, ciel on its own is sky).
Do you think it’s a bit too out there? I thought it could be quite pretty, I imagine DH will hate it 😂

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Aethelthryth · 24/04/2019 11:20

Another vote for Iris.

Ciel is masculine in French. She will be called "Seal" at school.

GraceMarks · 24/04/2019 11:16

Or Hope?

GraceMarks · 24/04/2019 11:11

Similarly to a pp suggesting Cecilia, how about Cecily? It's got the letters from Ciel in it but it's not obviously to do with rainbows. Or what about something that signifies a new beginning or dawn, like Alba or Aurora (or Dawn, I suppose!) ?

ReginaGeorgeous · 24/04/2019 09:31

My first thoughts were that it would pronounced like Keel and it's Lidls own brand toilet cleaner. Sorry. I'd go with Iris if you wanted to keep the rainbow connection.

Heulog · 24/04/2019 05:17

I used to live next to an older woman called Enfys. She was so, so lovely.

MercyBodle · 24/04/2019 04:59

I'm not such a fan of Ciel as a first name but I think it could work in the middle. I like the way you are thinking though, and lots of other good ideas on the thread. I know of 2 little girls called Rainbow, and I think it's lovely. I also love Indigo and Celeste.

PlatypusLeague · 23/04/2019 22:47

How about Cecilia which is a known name and contains the letters of ciel?

AuntieStella · 23/04/2019 21:34

Or conceal it as a special secret - hiding by sound (though not spelling) in a pairing such as Maisie Eleanor

Obsidian77 · 23/04/2019 21:03

The sentiment is lovely but le ciel is a masculine noun in French.
Agree that Celeste is prettier, or how about Stella or Seren.
nameberry.com has some really interesting lists.
Best wishes op Flowers

bamb00 · 23/04/2019 20:53

Congratulations!
Spanish for rainbow is "arco iris".
Iris could definitely work as a lovely name and give you the connection x

MrMeSeeks · 23/04/2019 19:53

People will call her seal, don’t do it.

azulmariposa · 23/04/2019 19:52

Arco iris is the Spanish for rainbow, so you could have just Iris. Or Celeste which means heavenly.

Pixel99 · 23/04/2019 19:51

What about Sylvie - Ciel as a nn? I know a lovely Sylvie who is about 18 now.

llangennith · 23/04/2019 19:49

Enfys (pronounced Envis) is Welsh for rainbow and used as a girl's name in Wales.

dreichuplands · 23/04/2019 19:49

I would seriously consider if you want your babies name to be permanently tied up with loss and the past. Of course you aren't going to forget the losses that have gone before or your struggle to conceive but they are part of your story and not your new baby's.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 23/04/2019 19:49

She'll spend her life being called Seal or Keel.

Iris or Skye are lovely. Or Indigo?

2cupsofcoffee · 23/04/2019 19:44

My first thought on seeing it was Lidl's toiletries range, Cien. But I do know someone who spells their name Ceil, which I don't think would be considered Lidl-like

TitianaTitsling · 23/04/2019 19:44

langrish I'm a big fearty so never would have thought about that!!

17biscuits · 23/04/2019 19:41

A character in a Michael Connelly novel (A darkness more than light) calls his daughter Cielo which is Spanish for sky and sky blue, if I remember right. For the couple in the story the name also represents light, new beginnings etc. I really like it. I think the girl also has deep blue eyes, but it’s a while since I read the book so I may have added that bit - but it’s a pretty name I think.

VanillaCoconutDove · 23/04/2019 19:40

It makes me uncomfortable to actually designate your child as a rainbow child within their name.

A lot of weight on a little babies shoulders already.

MrsBertBibby · 23/04/2019 19:39

Iris. Messenger of the Greek gods, who personifies the rainbow.

Also a lovely flower, and an impressive philosopher/novelist.

purpleme12 · 23/04/2019 19:36

Far too many people here would pronounce that wrong and would have no idea how to spell it. I speak some French so I know but even some completely normal named you'd be surprised how many people can't spell so this one has no chance

TheBulb · 23/04/2019 19:35

I think that to French speakers (I am one), it sounds as ‘manic pixie children’s tv show character’ as Rainbow or Regenbogen, and to non French speakers, it will end up being pronounced Seal or Keel...?

WindsweptEgret · 23/04/2019 19:34

Your pronounciation just sounds like seal, wouldn't do it.

Kahu · 23/04/2019 19:33

I know a Ciel, she mostly goes by the nickname Ci-Ci (French-speaking). I love it!