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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ginevra, Genevieve

41 replies

Petcarb · 10/05/2022 04:48

Opinions please. Not mad about Ginny/Gin nickname but don't really mind Gen. I understand Ginevra is Italian for Geneva, is it akin to naming your baby "Paris" or something? But it seems a v popular name there. And is there too much Harry Potter association? (I didn't even know until I googled it was the long form for Ginny Weasley.)

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drspouse · 10/05/2022 11:09

I know a Genevieve who goes by Evie, which I think is nice.

queenofmay · 10/05/2022 11:06

I really love Genevieve. It's one of my personal favourites. It reminds of Catherine Deneuve in the Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

I do like Ginevra too. It's very popular in Italy - in their top 10 I believe? It's also the Italian form of Guinevere (as in the Arthurian character), so it's not like calling a child London or something.

I think in the UK it would get misread/mispronounced as "Ginerva" which would be a pain though. It also maybe sounds more charming in an Italian accent than in an English one.

I don't think the Harry Potter thing is a big deal since the character is just called Ginny in all the movies, so that's what most of the public know her as.

SweetNcrunchy · 10/05/2022 10:58

Ginevra is OK, a little try hard perhaps?

Genevieve pronounced the French way if you're thoroughly British is also a bit wanky. Pronouncec Jenna-veev is lovely though.

What about Virginia?

Recycledblonde · 10/05/2022 10:55

A friend has a baby daughter called Genevieve, they shorten it to GIgi which I think is lovely.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 10/05/2022 10:53

Lots of people misreading Ginevra as Ginerva - dunno why - Jin-EV-ra, people!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 10/05/2022 10:52

Genevieve was one of my names if I'd had a girl baby. I didn't. It would have been the anglicised version though, because I rather love the nickname Jenny but really don't like Jennifer (awful family member association, she was never known as Jenny though). I'm also a fan of Jenna as a short version, but can also be used as a name in its own right.

I do like Ginevra and I wouldn't worry about the association with Italian city names - lots of girls called Florence, for example! Grin and Sien(n)a, for that matter. Venetia, Venice - all there! But I'm also a huge Harry Potter fan and would always associate it with Ginny Weasley.

Original poster
Petcarb · 10/05/2022 10:46

Thanks so much. I've never heard the name Genista before, also lovely. Just need to get them past DH now!

OP posts:
ButterRose · 10/05/2022 10:38

Love Genevieve also don't mind Genista as mentioned above but I'm not a big fan of Ginerva

Cryingintherain99 · 10/05/2022 09:54

I love Genevieve.

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/05/2022 09:31

Genevieve is great

Ginerva isn’t, it sounds like something vaguely medical or the name of a bank

There is a Scottish flower name Genista which is OK

Synchrony · 10/05/2022 06:55

I like both.

I do think of Ginny Weasley for Ginevra and would be surprised if you can avoid Ginny.

The Genevieves I know shorten to Gen.

feelinglowandblue · 10/05/2022 06:33

Genevieve when it’s pronounced Jean-Vyev is one of my most fave names of all time!

Theoldwoman · 10/05/2022 06:20

I love Genevieve. It’s in my top 10.

we have a chicken called Genevra.

Geamhradh · 10/05/2022 06:08

Ginevra is Italian for Geneva but no, there's not the same connotations somehow as calling your child Paris. It's very unusual (only 5,000 in total) and considered quite a "posh" name. I've only ever known a handful. I like it! (The ones I know are young- all under 15) I've never heard anyone connecting it with Ginny Weasley (I didn't know either till you said!)

cigarettesNalcohol · 10/05/2022 05:56

Genevieve is nice.

Kisskiss · 10/05/2022 05:00

You’d get funny looks in Asia as Ginvera is a common brand of cheap body wash..
genevieve is beautiful!