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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name regret, WDYT of this name?

205 replies

Finnemoo · 13/04/2020 15:38

Hi everyone,

We chose an unusual name for our daughter mostly because I've always loved it (and still do). My husband really liked it too but was wary about pronunciation in the UK. It's a French name, and we do have a French connection.

He was right Sad

She's 8 months old now and she does suit the name, but no one here says it right and I'm finding that more grating than I thought I would.

Her name is Anouk. Pronounced "ah-NOOK", nook rhymes with Luke.

Be honest: is she going to hate us for it? What do you think of the name and how would you say it?

I don't know why I'm posting this because it's too late to change it anyway, but maybe someone will have something nice to say to cheer me up. I do still really love the name in theory but I'm just worried that the pronunciation thing will be a pain for her forever. I didn't really think it would prove to be so problematic.

Thanks and I hope you're all doing well.

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spiderlight · 13/04/2020 18:35

I think it's beautiful!

DariaMorgendorffer · 13/04/2020 18:29

Gorgeous name op! She won't hate u for it, at all. It's unusual enough to be special, but not unheard of. I love it.

YinMnBlue · 13/04/2020 18:24

Lovely name.

I would pronounce it the way you like it.

mochojoes · 13/04/2020 18:18

I know a pair of sisters, Anouk & Anais, they are lovely names.
I have an unusual name, honestly kids don't tend to get teased because their name is different as most kids don't understand the concept of what's rare. One of my dc has a really normal well known name that people somehow mispronounce! Where do you live as most UK cities are multicultural & have diverse names.

finallychangedmyusername · 13/04/2020 18:13

I think Anouk is lovely (unusual enough, without being outrageous or causing people to raise an eyebrow). Also, like other posters have said, she also has a number of nice nickname options if she prefers.

Himawarigirl · 13/04/2020 18:13

I think it's a nice name and would have pronounced it as you said, don't think you are causing her a problem in future, people have all sorts of names and surnames that can cause issues and I don't think Anouk is one of them. Try and move past it but, that said, there will always be something that bugs you when you have a new baby you think the world of. My daughter had no hair until she was quite old and people always assumed she was a boy because she had no hair and fairly unisex clothes. That annoyed me even though it didn't really matter. Now she has more hair than I know what to do with :)

Staffori · 13/04/2020 18:10

Yes, you're overthinking it, hun. But it's often the case with uncommon names that people mispronounce them initially then learn to get it right. Anouk is lovely and special so forget about shortening it, just keep correcting people til they get it.

Many people of my old age know how to pronounce because of the famous actress Anouk Aimée.

NAomiNOTNiomi · 13/04/2020 18:10

I have to say that no matter how you spell a name, some people will always say it differently to how it’s supposed to be. As my user name suggests, people mostly call me Naomi with the Na beginning bit to rhyme with high, therefore Niomi (despite the spelling).

Our DD is called Kya, pronounced to rhyme with higher. If you watch The Nest there’s a girl Kaya in that, pronounced the same way, and that is actually the original spelling. We chose the legitimate alternative spelling and took the first A out as we didn’t want people to call her Kay-a. I was saying to my DH that I’m pleased we did, as when watching Gogglebox, Jenny called her Kay-a (despite everyone calling her Kaya to rhyme with higher). It’s prob because when you see texts from her on the show, it would show her name, spelled Kaya. Whatever you do will be said wrongly by some people though. Some say my DD’s name as Keeya (Kia is a make of car!).

If you like Anouk but are having doubts then go with what your heart feels.

florascotia2 · 13/04/2020 18:02

Finnemoo Smile Thank you!

Original poster
Finnemoo · 13/04/2020 17:59

Agree, I’m definitely overthinking it aren’t I!

OP posts:
Original poster
Finnemoo · 13/04/2020 17:59

@florascotia2 Bingo! That is how we pronounce it, a short but clear “oo”. It’s really hard to write phonetically, but in my accent in English, Luke is the closest approximation. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh · 13/04/2020 17:52

I love it. The little girl in Chocolat is called Anouk and she's lush so I've always had a soft spot for it! It's gorgeous, OP, and I first read Chocolat when I was fourteen and knew how to pronounce Anouk - I think you're overthinking it Smile

florascotia2 · 13/04/2020 17:51

It's a French name and here is a clip of a French person saying it:
forvo.com/search/anouk/fr/

It's neither Luke nor book, but rather more like (in English) 'troubadour' or 'youthful'.

CheriLittlebottom · 13/04/2020 17:47

I love the name, and would pronounce it as you do, OP. I also think of the little girl in Chocolat.

Sharkyfan · 13/04/2020 17:47

I think it’s sweet
Not overly out there or made up
And I would pronounce it like that if I saw it written down.

Original poster
Finnemoo · 13/04/2020 17:45

Thank you so much! I did feel silly posting this but really appreciate the reassurance and positive comments.

Yes, A like in Antelope Smile

OP posts:
Bumsnet1 · 13/04/2020 17:44

I personally would pronounce it like Luke too. Don't change her name, it belongs to your daughter and people should learn to pronounce it properly.

Hushabyelullaby · 13/04/2020 17:41

Before I got to the bit where you say how to pronounce it, I read it and 'said' it in the same way as you. How are people saying it? A-nook?

Dinomum2 · 13/04/2020 17:41

When she is at school everyone will say it the correct way. I have an unusual name that most people say wrong, but people always put effort in to saying it properly once I've told them how it is pronounced. I remember as a child the other kids in the class telling people how to say my name properly!

CuppaZa · 13/04/2020 17:33

Love it. And I would pronounce it correctly. It’s not difficult

plugitinsilly · 13/04/2020 17:31

I think there are prettier French names tbh.

TeaAndASitDown · 13/04/2020 17:24

Love it too.

villainousbroodmare · 13/04/2020 17:21

Beautiful name, would pronounce as you do.

PantTwizzler · 13/04/2020 17:15

It’s very pretty.

One of my DC has a name that’s commonly mispronounced. He still likes his name and so do I.

chillipopcorn1 · 13/04/2020 17:14

I love this name OP and would also pronounce it as you have described. Don't worry!