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Baby names

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

Original poster

It's French/English saints again, but for a boy this time.

69 replies

FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 07:50

Good morning,

I posted a few months ago about trying to find a Saint's name for a French/English baby, who will be born in England, but who will be living in France from about 1yr onwards. Dh and I have now found out that it he will be a boy, and last time I asked for girls names.

We've managed to shortlist about 8 names, and we're definitely going with 1 of those 8. They will all sound absolutely fine in France, but I'm worried people will think we're massively pretentious in England:

Valérian (dh's fave, and really mine too, but I worry about it)
Raphaël (next fave, and leaning towards it)

Then, in no particular order:
Alexis
Theodore
Valentin
Axel (do not like, but dh loves)
Vincent
Xavier

This will hopefully not be our only child, but as we can't guarantee another boy I don't really want to save one for later if we can never use it. Also, middle names are set, so we can't slot them in there.

I'd like to know how people in the UK are likely to react to these, so I'd like your reactions please.

Many thanks, and sorry for a lengthy post

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Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 15/06/2010 09:18

frakkit, they are just the names we like, and they are all saints names, or variants of with Axel and Xavier. Saints is the one thing they have to be.

Xavier wouldn't be a mn with Jean Barry, it's just the two of them (thank goodness), but it might make an appearance later as either Xavier or Xaviere.

Gah, I hate that Raphaël is so popular.

May have to be a case of saving Valérian til we're in France, and hope for another boy somewhere down the line. That way we wont have loads of people asking why we named him after a herb.

Axel has probably been relegated to a future girls list, in the form Axelle. Problem is, dh knew one who died young in an kayaking accident a few years ago, so feels bad throwing it out.

Some of my relatives would bother saying Vincent correctly, some would refuse to, partly to aggravate me deliberately. Annoyingly, my brother, who has good French, would be among them.

OP posts:
LongtimeinBrussels · 15/06/2010 09:06

Raphaël is really popular here in Belgium. I LOVE Xavier (when pronounced properly ).

frakkit · 15/06/2010 08:55

Xavier, Xavier, Xavier....People can be taught to pronounce it, especially if you refer to him as Xav (Zav in English). The Ex-ay-vyer thing would only come in when he went to school etc and people see it written before they hear it spoken. Just make sure everyone hears it right, and don't get wound up by doctor's receptionists!

Plus you can't land the poor child with xxxx Xavier Jean Barry YYYYY, especially if it's Axel Xavier Jean Barry YYYY so go with Xavier Biased....

Valou in the UK probably won't go down so well - but is lovely in French!

Unless you can teach your relatives that Vincent is pronounced the French way.

Is there any particular significance for these names re: saints?

skidoodly · 14/06/2010 22:17

Raphael best by a mile

Valerian is a herb to me. Although I love Valou. DH and I use -ou as our affectionate ending for our DDs.

Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 22:05

Aurelien has already been ruled out, and dh doesn't like "barbarian" sounding names (I suggested Alaric).

Thanks for the suggestions though, I really like them

Takver, I'm sensing a total lack of impartiality on your part you keep trying to sway me back to Raphaël every time I waver. I do love it though.

OP posts:
Mumsnut · 14/06/2010 20:58

Aurelien (often Marc-Aurelien)

CoteDAzur · 14/06/2010 20:55

How about Eymeric? You can call him Eric in the UK.

Actually, how about Eric?

Takver · 14/06/2010 20:54

I really can't believe that people would pronounce Xavier wrong, and in any event, you can always just tell them how to say it.

Valou is cute, though. (But not as cute as Rafi )

Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 19:58

I actually really like Valery for a boy, but as we have no connection to Russia it would be pushing it a bit. Valou is definitely growing on me. Thanks for the positive feedback mathanxiety

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 14/06/2010 19:51

Oh, Valou is beautiful!

I think the names Valerian, Valentin and Axel appeal to me partly because they sound a bit Russian as well as French. Thinking of the name Valery in Russian here..

Ponders · 14/06/2010 19:45

Sorry

Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 19:44

eeek, no I'd probably hurl a dirty nappy at someone. I loathe it pronounced ex-ay-vier. Good point, well made.

Bugger, that'll have to keep until we have a French born baby I think.

You killjoy

OP posts:
Ponders · 14/06/2010 19:42

Xavier/Xavi very cool but a lot of Brits will pronounce it ex-AY-vier - could you cope with that for a year?

Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 19:34

Ok, I think Xavier has now made it for equal consideration with Valérian and Raphaël. Maybe I should try referring to the bump as each one for a day and see which one it likes we like best.

Xavi is really cute for a little one, and is Raffy. Dh has suggested Valou for a little Valérian, which is his family's favourite affectionate ending.

Thanks Takver and Sedgie

OP posts:
sedgiebaby · 14/06/2010 19:29

ooooh Gabriel was on my list if having a boy, DH would have let me too can't agree on anything for a girl, thanks for the link

Takver · 14/06/2010 18:53

I love Raphael too, on our list for dd if she had been a boy (tho Rafael as we were in Spain).

Actually I like all your names, though Axel not so much.

Xavier in particular is very cool, and Xavi is a great nickname.

Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 18:45

Gabriel was on my list, but got vetoed by dh.

Please tell me I'm not the only person incapable of naming a child? Every time I rule one out I decide I like it again

Thanks again

OP posts:
Ponders · 14/06/2010 17:23

I love Raphael - is a Gabriel kind of name (I love that too - not on your list of course, just thought I'd mention it!)

Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 17:08

Rubbish, I was sure I'd done the link properly. here

Sorry!

OP posts:
Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 17:04

sedgiebaby the girls thread was [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/923315-Saintly-dilemma-mainly-for-girls here]

Just when I thought everyone was agreeing the dissenters arrive...

Ok, Raphaël is swinging back up and Valérian down (it's the herb thing that was worrying me with the English speakers) and Xavier is still coming out popular.

Lordy, it's so difficult to choose...

Thanks all

OP posts:
crumpette · 14/06/2010 16:54

Xavier Raphael and Valentin (strong/strength?) are my favourites

crumpette · 14/06/2010 16:51

I'm English

I don't like Valérian, makes me think of the weird herbal remedy
I don't like Axel or Alexis either (no real reason)

Vincent and Theodore- no real opinion

I LOVE Valentin, love it

I also like Xavier

sedgiebaby · 14/06/2010 16:38

Oh you wanted English reaction to the others, Alexis and Valentin
leans feminine on paper that might be assumed quite easily, Valérian just makes me think of the herb to help you sleep (sorry my ignorance, but I had no idea it was a personal name in France). Raphaël is fine and Vincent is fine (I know a fair few westcountry guys called Vince though which makes me think of it as I would 'Jethro' but that will be just me...it translates fine for others no doubt), all the best with chosing for your little boy.

sedgiebaby · 14/06/2010 16:30

I like Theodore, nice in both languages if you can get over the different pronounciations, my DH's first language is french. His name is written the same in both but said quite differently he doesn't mind. The only one I could suggest is Sydney, due for a UK revival methinks, no idea if it is trendy or otherwise in France.

Would you please post the link to your girls name thread, we are having a girl and I'd like something 'frenglish' but struggling

Original poster
FingonTheValiant · 14/06/2010 15:30

Ah, now Axelle I really quite like, but dh prefers it for boys.

Yes, forgot the link between Felix and cats is even stronger in France than it is in the UK, that'll be why they laughed.

Thanks again

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