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Baby names

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

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Original poster

French First Name and Jean as Middle for Girl

34 replies

SunshineFlowersFood · 08/01/2025 14:28

Hi everyone,

I am planning to give my daughter a French first name even though we don't have any French routes. It's not too out there. However, I also want to honour my granny Jean as middle name but I know Jean means John in French. Am I overthinking this? Or would it be weird like the English equivalent of a French person having a Sarah Peter??

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Mirabai · 08/01/2025 19:40

Nextyearhopes · 08/01/2025 14:32

My beloved Gran was a Jean too and I will be doing the same!
There are so many lovely French names:

Elodie (don’t use Ellie)
Clementine (don’t use Clemmy - think you see my pattern haha)
Amandine
Margaux
Manon
Anais
Adeline
Vivienne

are some of my favourites

I love Manon and Anaïs. Also Apolline, Romane and Maëlys.

MrsEmmelinePankhurst · 08/01/2025 19:36

Claudine Jean would be nice

or go with the feminine French version of the name - Jeanne??

spottedinthewilds · 08/01/2025 19:33

Nathalie?

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 08/01/2025 19:32

StormingNorman · 08/01/2025 14:36

Be prepared for Jean to be pronounced the French way if it follows a French first name.

Yes exactly it's pronounced differently than a female British name.
Jean is used as a male French name and for pronunciation think of "Jean Paul Gaultier"

Mirabai · 08/01/2025 19:30

I might use the French femine Jeanne (pronounced Zshaan) to specify it’s not pronounced Jon.

StormingNorman · 08/01/2025 14:36

Be prepared for Jean to be pronounced the French way if it follows a French first name.

Cornecopia · 08/01/2025 14:35

My daughter is Esme Belle. It means to be loved, beautiful