Francoise

[thesunscomeout]

Am expecting a baby at the end of the year and am wondering about this name. What's the mn view.

Hmm. I think you need a ç for it to work.

Didn't know how to insert the cedilla, would definitely spell it correctly!

Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Ok. I have one on my keyboard.

Only thing I would be worried about is that some people would have difficulties with spelling and pronunciation. Using a forrin name can be tricky, and not all children appreciate being so different. Depends a bit on where you live, the schools she will go to etc.

It is very lovely (was nearly my name!) but it depends very much on the prevailing accent of wherever you live.

I like it but I'm not sure how to pronouce it. Fronswahz? Franswah?

As a non French speaker I prefer Francis.

So it's not a thumbs down then.

I think your biggest problem is going to be those who just don't know how to pronounce it, spell it, or even if it a boy or a girl name.

As I said, that depends a bit on where you live.

I'd say 'Frarnswarz' we live in the south. Is this considered the correct pronunciation.

here

But if you are uncertain of pronunciation, then I would think again.

I would only give a child a foreign name if either I or my DH were of that nationality, or we had a close connection to the country (or someone with the name).

I know of 2 who are both French but live in the UK but they are both my Mum's age so that kind of puts me off as it would seem the wrong generation if that makes any sense!

The only time I've heard of it is that it is the full name of Frankie from Dancing on Ice. That also raises the nn issue- do you like the nn Fran and Frankie?

It's my SIL's name. She's mainly known by her full name, but the only nick name she's had is Flossie.

My MIL has french ancestry. She uses the Franzwahz pronunciation. However she's often called Franswah, which she doesn't like.

It's a lovely name but you would soon get pissed off having to explain to everyone you meet how to pronounce/spell it. Franswah would be the male version.

It's really vile! Don't! It's the equivalent in France of being called Jane - boring and old fashioned.

Ha, that is interesting Bonsoir. The only people I know here with that name are my age or older.

Yes, it's a name that is common among DP's parents' friends. If I hear the name mentioned, I automatically assume that the person is 60+.

Thank you all, am surprised to hear it's considered a rather boring name in France, it would never be boring in this country I suppose. Will think about it.

What do you like about it? The Frenchness? The "Fr"? The "se"? Give us some clues and we'll help!

Francesca is a safer version but one of my favourite names.

Francois (boy's name) is pronounced 'fron-swah'
Francoise (girl's name) is pronounced 'fron-swahz'

And yes, with a ç, but I don't know how to do them except by c&ping MmeL's)

I thought it was a boy's name In that case I'll suggest Frances instead of Francis as an alternative!

Only if you have French connections.

My dd's childminder is called Francoise (she is French and very lovely), but it's really really difficult for the children to pronounce. At the moment my dd calls her wuvwa.
I know your dd would only be little for a short time but i thought it might be worth mentioning.