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Baby names

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

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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Lemonsyellow · 07/08/2021 17:41

It’s spelled Vivien, surely. Vivienne is not the traditional British spelling. Just like it’s Juliet and not Juliette, and Annabel and not Annabelle.

RickOShay · 07/08/2021 16:44

I like Vivien. If I saw Vivian I would assume boy.

SempreSuiGeneris · 07/08/2021 16:38

The name dates back to Roman times so in Latin the "a" spelling would be more usual. None of the variants are exclusively gendered. Wiki has a really comprehensive list so you can choose your heroine.

I think Vianne as in the heroine of Chocolat is lovely.

nocoolnamesleft · 07/08/2021 16:22

I know a couple of Vivians. They're male.

CoddledAsAMommet · 07/08/2021 16:16

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.

Doyoumind · 07/08/2021 16:16

Vivian is definitely the masculine version. Vivien would be better if you really don't want Vivienne.

StarryStarrySocks · 07/08/2021 16:15

I prefer Vivian, even for a girl.

RavenclawsRoar · 07/08/2021 16:12

I love the Vivienne spelling. It's a beautiful name and I personally prefer it spelled like this. I reckon Vivien would be ok though (does look unfinished to me!).

user1493494961 · 07/08/2021 16:07

Vivienne looks much nicer. Agree Vivian is the male spelling, I know one but he is always Viv.

woodfort · 07/08/2021 16:06

I’m not sure why anyone would shorten it to Ian Confused That’s as random as worrying that Thomas would be shortened to Ass or David to Id … Confused

I admit, Vivian looks masculine to me too. Vivienne is beautiful.

SeanMean · 07/08/2021 15:22

Much prefer Vivienne.

Original poster
closeyourpies · 07/08/2021 14:47

@Violetlavenders

There's also Viviana.
Then you run the risk of Anna as a nickname

How about Vivien?

OP posts:
Violetlavenders · 07/08/2021 14:41

There's also Viviana.

Plumtree391 · 07/08/2021 14:37

I thought the correct spelling was, 'Vivien".

SydneyCarton · 07/08/2021 14:29

I have a Vivian, never thought to call her Ian Confused. I think it’s so unusual to have it as a male name these days that the spelling doesn’t really matter, we just preferred the way it looked.

Lemonsyellow · 07/08/2021 14:21

It’s Vivien in the U.K. Vivienne is the French spelling with a different pronunciation.

SwedishEdith · 07/08/2021 14:17

I just don't like it because it looks too French ???

Vivienne looks much nicer than Vivian.

ShortBacknSides · 07/08/2021 14:09

“Vivian “ is the male spelling; “Vivienne” the female.

Iwantcauliflowercheese · 07/08/2021 13:47

Agree with PPs. Vivian is a male name. I don't see a problem with Vivienne. It's obviously feminine.

MrsFin · 07/08/2021 13:47

Vivi sounds like a euphemism for "lady parts" (also a euphemism).

Odisia · 07/08/2021 13:45

The only Vivian I've known was male. Normally it would be Vivienne or Vivien for a female.

Sarcobaleno · 07/08/2021 13:43

I prefer Vivienne or Vivien. Ian is a short name is Hmm

Bumblecattabbybee · 07/08/2021 13:35

Much prefer Vivienne

AliceMcK · 07/08/2021 13:24

Vivian just reminds me of the Young Ones, I also thought it was a boys name.

Vivienne is very pretty.

Crockof · 07/08/2021 13:21

I'd also assume Vivian was a boy. Vivienne is beautiful