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Baby names

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Original poster

Gwenifer?

129 replies

Tirnanogg · 13/01/2024 10:23

I'm looking for a proper unicorn of a name. I would like a first and middle name, ideally allowing Gwen as a nickname, with a nod to the name Jennifer in there somewhere (both grandmothers!) AND be a legitimate, not totally made up name.

We're Welsh-speaking Welsh and Cornish, living in Wales, but I'd like it to be something the English side of the family can say.

I came across Gwenifer this morning, which seems to satisfy most criteria, but is it a real name?!

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inappropriateraspberry · 18/01/2024 13:18

Merryn, Demelza and Morwenna are also nice Cornish names! Still got a Celtic/Welsh feel.

thislittlebird · 16/01/2024 13:30

@Tirnanogg not sure if you ruled out Guinevere, but the Cornish version of Guinevere is Miniver (or Minver), which I think is pretty.

fruitpastille · 15/01/2024 23:52

It's not very Welsh but what about Genevieve for a nod towards Jennifer?

IhateMondaymornings · 15/01/2024 23:15

Gwenllian is a lovely Welsh name

KnickerlessParsons · 15/01/2024 23:14

Gwenhwyfar is the Welsh equivalent to Jennifer/Guinevere.

Gwenifer is awful. Sounds like you have a speech impediment.

Go with Gwenhwyfar. It's a proper name and it's quite a nice one too.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 15/01/2024 22:50

I think it's awful 😖.
Infact I might choose Jennifer.

HowNice23 · 15/01/2024 11:27

Haven't read the whole thread but I used to know a Gwenda...

JaniceFork · 15/01/2024 11:26

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

KirstenBlest · 14/01/2024 11:54

@Moier , it's from a Welsh name, Gwenhwyfar. It's not an actual Welsh name, unless you go by the 'someone used it as a name so it's a name'.
I have heard of GR, but don't know how she says her name.

@OhNaffOffYouWazzock , you'd need to shift the stress to the first syllable.
Welsh always stresses the next-to-last syllable.
Exceptions like Elinor , Elisabeth, Jonathan etc are because they are not from a Welsh origin.

OhNaffOffYouWazzock · 14/01/2024 11:33

To get the same sound in Welsh as Jennifer wouldn't it have to be Gweniffer?
It has actually grown on me as the thread has moved on, the Strike reference definitely helped. I'm bit disappointed it's off the cards for the OP.

Moier · 14/01/2024 11:10

Well l think Gwenifer is an absolutely gorgeous name.
It seems like most of you guys have not heard of Gwenifer Raymond the musician.
It is a Welsh name.. but it means white ghost.
OP. I'd definitely use it.
Especially if you daughter is born with fair hair.

user1492757084 · 14/01/2024 11:03

Try using Gwen as a full name.
Gwen Genevieve
Gwen Jennifer
Genevieve Wendy - Gwen

Pusheen467 · 14/01/2024 08:42

TrentCrimmOfTheIndependent · 13/01/2024 10:26

Sorry, it sounds like one of those ‘shipped’ names if a Gwen had a partner called Jennifer. But if you like it, go ahead!

That's what I thought too, like "Gwenifer made their first public appearance together"

KirstenBlest · 14/01/2024 08:39

Letitia could be Letty or Tish

inappropriateraspberry · 14/01/2024 08:22

KirstenBlest · 14/01/2024 08:20

@inappropriateraspberry , the name is Lettice. It's a middle name of an ex PM's daughter.

Choux Fleur?

I sometimes call my husband my petit choux flour!

inappropriateraspberry · 14/01/2024 08:21

KirstenBlest · 14/01/2024 08:20

@inappropriateraspberry , the name is Lettice. It's a middle name of an ex PM's daughter.

Choux Fleur?

I typed that - must have autocorrected! 😆

KirstenBlest · 14/01/2024 08:20

@inappropriateraspberry , the name is Lettice. It's a middle name of an ex PM's daughter.

Choux Fleur?

inappropriateraspberry · 14/01/2024 08:07

Tirnanogg · 13/01/2024 19:45

A beautiful name with a wealth of history and links with health and nature - thank you @MrsCarson . I shall suggest it to DH.

Lettuce is also a name!
What about Jessica? Similar sound/rhythm to Jennifer.

PickledScrump · 14/01/2024 01:11

for the nod to Jennifer could Jenna work?

Original poster
Tirnanogg · 13/01/2024 19:45

A beautiful name with a wealth of history and links with health and nature - thank you @MrsCarson . I shall suggest it to DH.

OP posts:
MrsCarson · 13/01/2024 19:11

Tirnanogg · 13/01/2024 15:31

Jennifer is lovely, but I think it would lead to confusion in our family which is already abundantly blessed with Jennifers!

Names are such weirdly personal things. I'm never sure we got the right name for Dd2 (a late suggestion when she was a couple of days old - she's now 5) and I think that doubt, coupled with pregnancy hormones, has made me a bit irrational about needing the perfect name for this one. Hormones definitely play a part - I had about five minutes a few weeks ago when I felt Bluebell was the perfect name!

Then I shall suggest Cabbage. The Victorians used it for girls.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 13/01/2024 18:07

KirstenBlest · 13/01/2024 17:47

@MolkosTeenageAngst , ...and you tell me that sheepdogs only have one syllable names...
What I said was
Sheepdogs tend to have one syllable names.

I feel that if I posted the sky is sometimes blue someone would post that I claimed the sky was always blue.

But if sheepdogs aren’t relevant to the thread, why mention they tend to have one syllable names at all if it wasn’t to try and call me out or make out I’m wrong somehow? Why did you feel the need to mention it at all, only to later tell me it’s irrelevant? It’s not like I’d said anywhere sheepdogs usually have names with X number of syllables and you were trying to correct me, I said I know two sheepdogs called Gwenno which is true, and you said sheepdog names tend to have only one syllable as if I am either lying or wrong about my own lived experience. If that wasn’t your intention, and if sheepdogs are irrelevant to the thread, why did you bring it up at all?

KirstenBlest · 13/01/2024 17:47

@MolkosTeenageAngst , ...and you tell me that sheepdogs only have one syllable names...
What I said was
Sheepdogs tend to have one syllable names.

I feel that if I posted the sky is sometimes blue someone would post that I claimed the sky was always blue.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 13/01/2024 17:28

KirstenBlest · 13/01/2024 16:50

@MolkosTeenageAngst , As for ‘sheepdogs tend to have one syllable names’, what a ridiculous comment.
Not at all. There's a reason why the names tend to be one syllable - it's to do with how the commands are used. It's not particularly relevant to the thread.

Why did you mention it then if it’s not relevant? I don’t understand why you are trying to pull me up on everything I say. I tell you that I know two sheepdogs called Gwenno and you tell me that sheepdogs only have one syllable names, it’s clearly not true because my own lived experience proves otherwise! I feel that if I’d said on this thread the sky is blue you would be telling me that actually it’s green.

KirstenBlest · 13/01/2024 16:50

@MolkosTeenageAngst , As for ‘sheepdogs tend to have one syllable names’, what a ridiculous comment.
Not at all. There's a reason why the names tend to be one syllable - it's to do with how the commands are used. It's not particularly relevant to the thread.