Ren or not to Ren....that is the question [grin]

[Lucaslovesfelicity]

Well, I love the name Florence but not so much the nicknames. Also my DH likes the name Wren but can't use it as a stand alone name because of our surname. So was thinking, maybe we could use the name Florence as the full name, with the nickname Ren (should we choose to shorten it). What do you think? Does it sound silly?

Dunno. but I quite like Ren on its own - I have to say. Maybe Florence to play safe. I have one out of three where I called him a longer name because I liked the shortening to one syllable as a name (also 3 letters) and I now kind of regret not just calling him that as most people use the longer version which I like much less.

As in 'kick off your Sunday shoes'? Sounds like a 100% boys name to me.

I like Florence, and I can sort of get Wren.

But when you spell it without the W, my mind automatically finishes ... and Stimpy. Sorry

I love Ren, it's my DSIL's name (short for Renae). Really like the idea of using it as a shortening of Florence, but if you couldn't use it as a stand-alone name because of your surname, how would it work? If DD went by the name Ren, surely you would come up against the same problems? (DSIL uses Ren for just about everything, including in her professional capacity, as she's not keen on her full name.)

Stetsons, a disappointingly small number of people referred to my brother as Stimpy, even though they got together at the height of R&S's notoriety...

I think the way we look at it, is that her name would be Florence on a day to day basis but I just wanted to see if a nickname was to evolve (I do realise this is something that I can't really control) that there is a potential nn out there that I do like. That is not to say, that I absolutely hate the names Flo, Flossie etc but think Ren is nicer.

I honestly think you need a name all versions of which will work with your surname, as she is bound to be addressed as Ren T'Boy at some point in her life, and will curse you and DH for your lack of foresight.

Fetch, I'm reassured there's not many like me around

FWIW I would never, ever say it to someone's face. Because it's their name that their parents have put a lot of thought into, and it's rude.

But you did ask, and luckily I'm a random stranger on the internet who you can ignore

It's the same reason I could never give a boy the name George - with DD, it would sound like Sharkey and George. What is with my brain and bad 90's cartoons?!?

Surname is Benson...Is this too much of a potential problem (hmm) It's the Ren and Ben sound that makes me

I think Ren Benson sounds rather nice, actually, FWIW!

Can I put forward another name . As you can see, I love the name Felicity but my DH is a little uncertain, although he has not said a direct NO. I like Fifi, Fliss or maybe even Felix (mayyybeee!) as potential nn's. Which do you prefer???

Felicity
Felicity
Felicity

I already commented on your other thread but it bears repeating. I don't actually adore Felicity but it's definitely better than Florence... [snore]

DD is a Seren, nn Wren. It works just fine (but the silent W is important because of Stimpy!). It can work with Florence too.

Felicity is weak and fluffy.

(and having grown up with a proper rhyming name (it was hell), Wren Benson passes my acceptability test)

I saw this thread, and thought it was about my fave cosmetics brand.....Ren

Some other people may have the same association.

@stations - if I had a niece (for example) called ren, I would definitely call her skimpy.

I know a lovely little girl of about 18 months called Ren (or possibly spelled Renn, but definitely not Wren)- which is her full name, not a shortening. She's affectionately nicknamed Renborelly!

The other danger is that people might actually think you called your child Renesmee (as I people quite a few people last year!)

that should have been 'as I believe quite a few people did last year', not quite sure what happened.

I think a Ren would be called Rennie by all her friends at school, which may or may not bother you. But I agree about the lack of nice nicknames for Florence... What about Felicia, Fiona or Francesca?

And I actually think that Wren Benson sounds better than Florence Benson.

Why don't you just go for Renee, then you can call her Ren.

Florence is a lovely name and Ren quite nice as a nickname - although it does remind me of Rennies!

Or how about Renee with Ren for short?

Felicity is nice but I don't like any of the nicknames (Fliss, Flick etc.) which sound too frilly or odd.