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Baby names

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Name preference - Ffion or Felicity

113 replies

JazzyPa · 15/01/2021 22:17

Hello,
My second baby is due this summer and I need help with names. We are having a surprise and already have our boys names selected (and keeping to ourselves) but girls names we need help with deciding.

We already have a little girl, Beatrice, who we call Bea, and if we were to have a second daughter we are thinking of either Ffion or Felicity. We like unusual, uncommon but not too 'out there' names.

We aren't Welsh and have no Welsh heritage but always loved the name Ffion (Fee-on), since we holidayed there years ago and heard it said for the first time. Since then it's stuck. We really like how unusual it is. However, I was wondering if it would be seen as out there or weird to name a non-Welsh girl that? The Ff clearly shows it's Welsh but this is the spelling we would go for. And secondly, l've just read somewhere that the slang term for ass in French is 'Fion'. The two words sound different but this has upset me slightly, not because it's put me off the name as such but because if we were ever go to France or French speakers, would her name be laugable? Would this put you off the name? Anyone French, or French-speakers, would you have associated the two? Are there any Ffion's out there who have experienced negativity in regards to this? I'm sure there's many slang terms/meanings from other languages I don't know about for lots of names but I now know about this one, which is unnerving. I do know some French people but would rather not ask for their input, incase it puts me off their name completely. Plus I never share names with anyone I know due to bad experiences previously.

On to our other choice, Felicity. Again I think a really pretty name and I haven't heard of many. The issue I have here is we love to shorten names. Beatrice, is knows as Bea and Felicity would likely be knows as "Flick" (as I've loved it since Neighbours heyday) & I'm not really a fan of "Liss" or "Lissy" as a nickname. So if we put the names together... Bea and Flick... someone said (years ago) oh like "Flick your bean" ... and it's this reason why I no longer share name choices with anyone I know (but equally glad in a way we're thinking about this now and not when it's too late). My question is, did combining Bea and Flick make you think this? Would this be enough to put you off a name? Or am I just being oversensitive?

I can't believe that the two names I love so much, I've almost over researched and it's causing such concern (as I'm convinced this little one is a girl too).

What are your thoughts on the above? Any help would be much appreciated. And any other name suggestions would be greatly received.

Many thanks,
Jaz

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Disfordarkchocolate · 16/01/2021 10:11

I love them both. Lissy would be preferred shortening of Felicity. I do think that Felicity goes well with Beatrice. Sorry I'm not much help. How about Lucy, Florence or Imogen?

singsingbluesilver · 16/01/2021 10:05

Ffion is absolutely NOT a boys name. It means foxglove.

ParisJeTAime · 16/01/2021 10:03

@Liana2021, sorry for hijack, but can I ask what the word is in French? I used to live in Paris and never heard anything other than cul for bum! But I probably didn't hear or understand all of the slang. Not doubting you at all btw, just genuinely curious as a language lover Smile!

AndThenTheDayBecomesTheNight · 16/01/2021 09:58

Beatrice and Felicity go very, very well together, and you don't have to shorten the name to anything. All my dc have shorten-able names and all go by the full forms.

I honestly wouldn't use Ffion if you don't have Welsh heritage - I'd go for Fiona instead.

Frazzled2207 · 16/01/2021 09:49

I’m welsh and if I came across a Ffion would def assume she was Welsh
I love Felicity and def thinks it goes better with Beatrice

Skyla2005 · 16/01/2021 09:45

Fliss is better. Freya is nicer than both of them

polkadotpixie · 16/01/2021 09:34

If you went for Ffion they'd probably end up known as Ffi and Bea which looks fine written down but would obviously sound like Fee and Bee

Felicity is okay and Liss or Fliss are nice nicknames. Flick isn't nice though, it makes me think of flicking bogeys! Sorry 😞

daisypond · 16/01/2021 09:29

Felicity is great and goes really well with Beatrice. But Flick is awful, sorry. I think it’s odd to use Ffion if you have no Welsh roots. Fiona is lovely, though, and goes with Beatrice.

Poppins2016 · 16/01/2021 09:28

Felicity and Beatrice go together beautifully.

I'd also use nn Fliss (again, Bea and Fliss sound very natural together).

Agree with others, Ffion is too much of a contrast.

Liana2021 · 16/01/2021 09:22

Hi OP, I’m French and have been living in the UK for many years. You asked for an opinion on Ffion and I must say I reacted even before reading the rest of your post...
I’m so sorry to say but it is very very noticeable in French that it is the slang for “ass” when written down. When it is said, I would assume it is a nickname for Fiona.
It shouldn’t put you off the name if you never go to France but if you do or if she meets French people she might be teased. Very common as well to say “ass”.
Felicity is absolutely lovely and we considered it for my DD to come! But French family wasn’t keen because in French it looks weird so it goes both ways :D

BorisandHarriet · 16/01/2021 09:09

I know a Fionn. It’s an Irish boy’s name.

RedMarauder · 16/01/2021 09:03

I like "Felicity" and the one I know is an old lady so you be right on naming trend. She is also lovely. Smile

My DP wanted to call our DD "Felicity" but I had the rule that I would not name my child after a living person we know.

MyCatShopsAtAldi · 16/01/2021 08:59

Use the one you love most! I prefer Felicity personally and think it goes well with Beatrice - but go with your favourite.

ParisJeTAime · 16/01/2021 08:56

@ParisJeTAime

Fiadh is an irish girls name. Would that be what you're thinking of, to the pp who mentioned it being irish?
There is also Fionn. Irish boy name.
Onceuponatimethen · 16/01/2021 08:51

I know a Ffion - it’s a gorgeous name but no one can spell it and everyone will think she’s Welsh and talk to her about Wales constantly. I wouldn’t!

Felicity is great

ParisJeTAime · 16/01/2021 08:50

Fiadh is an irish girls name. Would that be what you're thinking of, to the pp who mentioned it being irish?

MistleTOEboughski · 16/01/2021 08:49

I like Felicity but Flick is very posh horsey girl. I think you need the right background to carry it off. If you are posh enough no-one is going to make jokes about it even in conjunction with Bea.

ParisJeTAime · 16/01/2021 08:49

Felicity.

I love Ffion, but only if you are Welsh. Not saying no parent can use a name outside their culture yada yada, but for me, Ffion would be one I would think needs to have Welsh heritage.

Felicity and Beatrice go together well. Don't think Bea and Flick are inevitable or anything to worry about.

Scaredykittycat · 16/01/2021 08:48

No one will ever be able to pronounce Ffion, it’ll be a nightmare for her.

Felicity for sure.

PikaPikaJigglypuff · 16/01/2021 08:46

I prefer Felicity, Ffion nice but a bit too like Fiona for me

FluffyEggsontoast · 16/01/2021 08:40

Felicity

HeronLanyon · 16/01/2021 08:13

Well fascinating. I know two Irish and Irish roots Ffyons. I need to have ask questions clearly !!! Don’t tell me all this time I’ve been cavorting with yoooneeeck names ?! GrinGrin

NoSquirrels · 16/01/2021 06:23

@FunnyInjury

Ffion is a boys name but I love Felicity Smile
It’s really not!
Ymlaen · 16/01/2021 06:23

Ffion is a girls name, there are no alternative spellings.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 16/01/2021 06:19

Love Felicity & it definitely goes with Beatrice. I would use Fliss as nn.

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