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Baby names

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Original poster

Vivian or Vivienne?

59 replies

closeyourpies · 07/08/2021 10:52

I think this is the name we've settled on now.

However, I think I prefer the Vivian spelling.

Vivienne reminds me too much of names like Genevieve. I just don't like it because it looks too French

So is Vivian okay or should it really be Vivienne, and she will spend a lifetime correcting the spelling?

I suppose if she is a Vivian it might be shorted to Ian whereas you can't do that to Vivienne

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peaceinourtime · 16/08/2021 05:04

I think Vivienne sounds and looks pretty while Vivian sounds and looks cold and heartless.

VanillaAndOrange · 13/08/2021 23:05

I prefer Vivien for a girl (I know Vivian has been used for girls but I think of it as more of a boy's spelling). Vivienne is a bit fussy for me.

whistlers · 10/08/2021 11:06

@peaches99

Vivienne, as in the Zutons track, and of course Amy Winehouse.
Do you mean Valerie?
TatianaBis · 08/08/2021 18:04

They're pronounced differently so it depends which you prefer.

Vivi'un or Vivi enn

I loathe both, and as they sound like a 50something Essex beautician I'm baffled by the popularity.

22Bug · 08/08/2021 17:53

Vivienne sounds more elegant

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 08/08/2021 15:52

@Amima

Vivien - like actress Vivien Leigh, is the classic English spelling of the name Vivian Leigh was born VIVIAN Mary Hartley.
Yes of course, but she changed it to Vivien for a reason!
Ellmau · 08/08/2021 13:55

Vivian is fine.

PearlFriday · 08/08/2021 09:08

@Classica

I'm a bit Confused Grin that a female Vivian might get called Ian for short!
Same! It's not exactly intuitive!

Reminds me of the Joke, what do you call a Magician who's lost his Magic? Ian.

Marty13 · 08/08/2021 02:36

I think any of the spellings work in the UK so you should pick the one you prefer, though I find it a bit insulting that you'd object to Vivienne solely on the grounds that it "sounds too French".

Classica · 07/08/2021 23:26

I'm a bit Confused Grin that a female Vivian might get called Ian for short!

Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo · 07/08/2021 23:19

I say them differently. I prefer Vivienne.

Amima · 07/08/2021 23:17

Her name wasn’t Vivien! She was born Vivian with an A and she changed it to an E for her stage name.

PearlFriday · 07/08/2021 23:15

@Verveine

Vivien, as in the actress Vivien Leigh. Love it!
Yes, Vivien looks right to me.
Amima · 07/08/2021 23:14

Vivien - like actress Vivien Leigh, is the classic English spelling of the name
Vivian Leigh was born VIVIAN Mary Hartley.

Amima · 07/08/2021 23:12

Vivian is a unisex name and is mostly used for women nowadays. There’s a whole list of women names Vivian on Wikipedia. Not to mention Vivian the bitchy character in Legally Blonde. And Saint Vivian if you’re a Christian. I think it’s a lovely name.

Vivian or Vivienne?
DramaAlpaca · 07/08/2021 23:08

@CoddledAsAMommet

Vivian- I'd assume a boy.

Vivien or Vivienne for a girl - personally I prefer Vivien as its less flounce and less likely to have the stress on the last syllable.

Totally agree.
EishetChayil · 07/08/2021 23:06

Vivian.

Although I can't imagine it ever being shortened to Ian.

I'm Caroline and nobody has ever called me Ine.

spongedod · 07/08/2021 21:10

@peaches99

Vivienne, as in the Zutons track, and of course Amy Winehouse.

Valerie then?

Violetlavenders · 07/08/2021 21:04

For a girl I'd choose between Vivianne. Vivienne or Viviana.

Vivian or Vivien look masculine

peaches99 · 07/08/2021 20:51

Vivienne, as in the Zutons track, and of course Amy Winehouse.

spongedod · 07/08/2021 20:20

I would pronounce these differently

Vivian - vivi Anne

Vivienne - vivi N

Flashinggreen · 07/08/2021 20:17

Vivien

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 07/08/2021 20:14

Vivien - like actress Vivien Leigh, is the classic English spelling of the name. I'd guess Vivian to be a (older) man, and Vivienne to be French/French heritage.

Lemonsyellow · 07/08/2021 18:56

But it is gendered in the UK too - Vivian and Vivien.

ozzyfroggy · 07/08/2021 18:03

I'd say it's different to Juliette and Annabelle because it has gendered forms.

In France there's Vivian/Vivianne and Vivien /Vivienne.

So for me it'd be between Vivianne and Vivienne. Maybe check the stats and go with the most common?