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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sophie or Amelie

38 replies

dreamygirl25 · 06/11/2021 21:45

Which of these names do you prefer? Long time to decide and maybe something better will come up but in the meantime these are the top two. Are there other names that would work in France and the UK?

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EileenGC · 09/11/2021 20:08

Sophie is beautiful, that would be my choice.

Classica · 09/11/2021 20:06

I like Romy, Léna, Elena, Salomé and Zélie

Classica · 09/11/2021 20:03

Here's a list of the Top 100 girls' names in France for 2020. Interestingly neither Sophie or Amelie feature. Jade is No.1 though and I imagine that would give a lot of MNers an attack of the vapours.

nameberry.com/popular-names/France

AreYouRightThereSkippy · 09/11/2021 19:44

Sophie

Amelie gets butchered in most English accents (imo)

Anna
Emma
Juliette
Camille
Beatrice

KirstenBlest · 09/11/2021 19:43

Names that work in France and UK:
Manon
Louise or Louisa
Emma
Alice but will be Aleece in France

I don't know about Sophie but Amélie is a bit middle-aged in France

Silkieschickens · 09/11/2021 18:04

I really like both Sophie and Amelie, other names that might work are Elise, Charlotte, Catherine, Juliette

Classica · 09/11/2021 17:57

If it's a French name you're looking for specifically I think you can do better than either Sophie or Amelie. Both so dull.

RestingStitchFace · 09/11/2021 17:09

Both are very nice names.

Audrey,
Ottilie,
Adele
Sylvie
Fleur
Camille

would also work well.

Lalliella · 09/11/2021 08:26

Amelie is beautiful. Spelt Amélie in French I think? I’ve never really liked Sophie but that’s just a personal preference, it’s a perfectly fine name.

Other French names - Eloise, Eliane, Elodie, Colette, Cosette, Georgette, Adeline, Nicole, so many beautiful names!

Fneep · 09/11/2021 07:43

I love them both - would be so pretty for sisters! I just listened to the French pronunciation of Amelie and it sounds gorgeous.
In the UK I'd go for Sophie I think.

WimpoleHat · 09/11/2021 07:37

Sophie. Timeless and classy.

Leeloo1233 · 09/11/2021 07:32

My daughter nearly was Amelie but honestly I got so fed up hearing my husband say "Emily" and thinking how annoying it must be for her to have to correct people all the time, so we went with something else. Maybe it's not a problem in reality though, just in my head

raintropics · 08/11/2021 22:52

Amelie

I adore Juliette!

KirstenBlest · 08/11/2021 07:57

Sophie.

Amelie and Elodie are nice in a french accent but meh in a UK one

I'm no keen on Eloise or Anais

Fivebeanchilli · 07/11/2021 22:17

I like both but prefer Amelie by far.
I know two pairs of sisters called Amelie and Sophie!

Original poster
dreamygirl25 · 07/11/2021 22:08

Thanks all. I think I do prefer Sophie. Also do like Cleo and Stephanie (can't add the accent on my phone) also like Chloe too!
I love the way our French family pronounce Amelie but I think many other people would correct me to 'Emily' or 'Amelia' which are not the same.
We have a boy with a Welsh name already and we picked something which does need to be pronounced a certain way and I felt so much regret because of all the 'correcting' or deliberately mispronouncing it he goes by his English middle name now. (we live in Wales) I think Amelie would have the same problems!
I know lots of Sophie my age but no little ones. I know of a few Sophias/Sofias.

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 07/11/2021 20:46

Sophie

Amelie is fussy and faddy in a UK context, and doesn't sound great in a lot of accents. Amelia, Emily and Emilia all work in the UK.

Either Sophie or Amelie works in France.

Dontgetyerknicksinatwist · 07/11/2021 20:18

Both really really lovely names. I think I’d probably go for Sophie.

GreenLunchBox · 07/11/2021 20:14

Amelie is nice in a French accent but not in an English one. Not keen on Sophie.

SnowdropFox · 07/11/2021 20:13

Sophie gets my vote!

campion · 07/11/2021 19:52

Stick with Sophie.
Well known in both countries, classic, no pronunciation problems and beautiful.

Don't go up a cul de sac with names that have people guessing about pronunciation or spelling.

AnyaMoondial · 07/11/2021 19:43

Sophie

DramaAlpaca · 07/11/2021 16:29

@WellJuhnelle

I know a young Amelie and think it feels and sounds really awkward to say in a British accent - we are northern though so it may not be the same everywhere. It comes out naturally as ‘ameleh’ and I have to make a real effort to make it sound pleasant Blush
Yes, I agree and I always say this on threads about Amelie. I don't think it's good in any British accent, but it's beautiful in a French accent.

I much prefer Sophie anyway.

Camii · 07/11/2021 16:25

Amelie
But also like Sophie.
Absolutely love Camille but pronounced the French way.
Also love Elodie and Aurelie as other pps suggested

WellJuhnelle · 07/11/2021 08:28

I know a young Amelie and think it feels and sounds really awkward to say in a British accent - we are northern though so it may not be the same everywhere. It comes out naturally as ‘ameleh’ and I have to make a real effort to make it sound pleasant Blush