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Baby names

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Original poster

Giselle

39 replies

blueberrymuffins · 13/03/2011 14:33

last thread! Opinions please, does the beginning make you think of anything rude as Dh pointed out? Or the animal?

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Noddyrocks · 13/03/2011 14:35

I am not too keen but only because it reminds me of a mean French woman and living in France.

Flojo1979 · 13/03/2011 14:36

yes fraid so on both accounts, def not my cuppa tea but u cant please everyone

JemimaMop · 13/03/2011 14:38

I love it but prefer Gisela. I had a German friend at university called Gisela, nickname Gisi.

Onion1968 · 13/03/2011 14:55

yuk name
reminds me of the animal (although gazelles are lovely animals)

TheCrackFox · 13/03/2011 15:00

I think it is quite nice but I have read (on Mumsnet) that in France it is like calling a baby Doreen.

Underachieving · 13/03/2011 15:55

You can't shorten it to anything that I can think of that isn't a bit gross.

Flojo1979 · 13/03/2011 15:56

U know if u call her giselle that it will be shortened to gis when she reaches high school, so as long as u r happy with that then go for it.

UrsulaBuffay · 13/03/2011 16:03

Just makes me think of the smug supermodel. Not a very nice sound either, a bit harsh on the ear.

FlingonTheValiant · 13/03/2011 17:36

It's an old lady's name in France - and not in a trendy old way.

Noddyrocks · 13/03/2011 18:21

Maybe the equivalent in French of Gertrude :(

mamalovesmojitos · 13/03/2011 18:28

Love it. Beautiful! Love the ballet too. Shorten to elle or ellie. Don't like gisela, I think it sounds a bit harsh.

PuraVida · 13/03/2011 18:40

Love it, was on our list for no 1 but DP was put off by it being shortened to gis (jizz) which is rude and gross Sad

PorkChopSter · 13/03/2011 18:48

I know one and always think of antelope. The jizz angle had not occurred to me.

Rhubarbgarden · 13/03/2011 18:51

I think it's beautiful.

Dreya · 14/03/2011 12:58

I have a Giselle. She is only 3 weeks old but so far we have had nothing but compliments on her name and references to the ballet or the film Enchanted by all my friends little girls who say they want to be called Giselle! If you pronounce it correctly you don't hear the sound 'Jizz' It isn't pronounced 'Jizzelle'(but of course you can pronounce it however you prefer) Nor do you think of the animal (although I personally don't see this as a negative anyway Confused) as it's not a hard G sound. Her nickname has become Gigi (one of my favourite films so I am more than happy with this) but Elle would also be a nice nn. I say go for it! Smile

NutellaAddict · 14/03/2011 13:25

I think it's lovely. As long as you don't live in France then it's not a problem that it's an "old lady" name there. Besides, I've seen Maud, Effie and Barbara referred to on here as "fabulous names" so I don't think we can complain about old-lady tendencies!

Hedwig3 · 14/03/2011 13:46

Oh I'm afraid that I do agree with what your DH said, such a shame really.

bigbluebump · 14/03/2011 13:55

Awful. Gisela is worse though Grin.

Aero · 14/03/2011 14:03

It's a pretty name. I like it and I know a lovely child with the name Giselle at the dcs school. It is pronounced the French way and she is called Gigi at home which is lovely.

If you like it, go for it. People are not usually rude once you've actually named your child (the worst reaction you'd probably get is, 'oh, that's a bit..........different' as they try to hide obvious distaste), but as long as you have a thick skin and are confident about your name choice, then it doesn't really matter what others think anyway. They get used to it in the end.

Dreya · 14/03/2011 14:13

Oh bigbluebump I just agreed with you when you said on the other names thread 'What is the point of this thread - making fun of others' choices? Why?' and now you have just said my dd's name is awful. I now know how it feels when some of us get upset about our dc's name being bashed! Its really blardy horrible.Sad

EmmaBGoode · 14/03/2011 14:15

Oh, I love it Smile

Would you pronounce it 'zhi-zelle'? Like, erm... can't think of another word that begins with this sound. But not like 'j'.

thumbwitch · 14/03/2011 14:18

I love the name Giselle and never think of a gazelle when I hear it, because it's a soft G at the beginning of the name.
I'm not so keen on Gisela (pron. Ghee-zela) - that sounds too much like a geyser to me.

But I would be wary of using it myself because I do associate it with slight, light-footed, ethereal people (I suppose not unlike a gazelle then Grin) - so if a DD of mine was named that and turned out to be a heavy-footed dumpling child, I'd be a bit sad that she didn't match her name IMO.

What's the rude thing? I obviously haven't thought of it...Blush

BarbieLovesKen · 14/03/2011 14:44

I think its lovely (and refreshingly unusual!). Its hardly negative to be associated with a supermodel, a particulary beautiful animal or a princess, is it? (things I thought of when I heard it but hardly bad things)

I laugh at MN sometimes, names like Myrtle are apparantly beautiful and Giselle is awful Confused

Go for it.

bigbluebump · 14/03/2011 15:22

Sorry, Dreya. I hadn't read the whole thread but only gave an answer to the OP who is asking for (honest) opinions on a suggested name. If I had been aware that you had one, I would have been more polite, sorry.

At the end of the day, we all have different tastes and you can't (and shouldn't!) please everyone.

(On the other thread I objected to people posting other childrens' names without their permission and commenting on them)

Nightstar · 14/03/2011 19:00

I think of Gazelle, but in a great way. The famous ballet of the gazelle, its one of the most graceful pieces of ballet and so feminine and elegant. Giselle is lovely....