Florence or Grace?

[Jac1978]

Which do you prefer?

[zxcv123]

Am I not allowed to point out that if you have a child called Grace and then she's not graceful, people will notice?

[exoticfruits]

It would worry me zxcv123

[3boysgirlontheway]

Grace, there are enough Florence's

DD is Florence, we are in Ireland, and have not met any other Florence's apart from her Great Grandmother. That said DD is only 5 months old. Florence is not in the top 100 here in Ireland.

[Ham69]

zxcv123 - " Probably know about 8 Graces of various ages and every single one of them, without fail, definitely does not live up to their name. Half of them are dumpy, clumsy children. The others are right little madams with blonde/ginger ringlets and a habit of stamping their feet whenever they don't get their way. I probably wouldn't notice it, but for the fact of their name making me expect dainty, well-mannered children and being surprised that they are"

You have high expectations for a small child, don't you think?

[Ham69]

"surprised that they are not" is what it meant to say! (Not my words)

[scarlettsmummy2]

I have a five month old Florence Ottilie. Most people seem to think it is nice. She suits it.

[squoosh]

Florence is the new Grace.

They belong in the same set. Harriet lives there too. Matilda is a close relation.

[CheerfulYank]

I like Grace better. I have a darling little Goddaughter called that and she's lovely. :)

[3boysgirlontheway]

squoosh that's funny and true, we considered each of those names for DD, well each one except Grace.

[zxcv123]

Ham69 - Well I suppose I assume these threads are from people who haven't named their babies yet and are looking for people's views on them before making a decision.

I certainly wouldn't say anything negative to someone who already had a Grace (and in any event I actually think it's a very pretty name). However, I don't see anything wrong in pointing out that some people will notice if there is a discrepancy between the name and the child's personality. If there isn't: and a Grace is graceful, then there is no problem.

I think this is an issue for any "value" name. For example, you might notice if a Clemency wasn't kind or lenient; or if a Chastity slept around a lot, whereas if they were called something else you wouldn't.

[ForgetCollette]

I think they are both lovely, though if you are bothered about them being one of several at nursery or school I would avoid both those names.

Just at my local mother and toddler group and the local preschool I know several Grace's (some are Grace, some are Gracie, one is Gracie-May) and I know even more Florence's (called Flo, Florrie and Florence)

[bigbluebump]

Ottilie IS lovely!

Both Florence and Grace are quite trendy and she will probably have others in her class/school.

[bigbluebump]

With Grace I wonder if people sometimes forget the meaning of 'grace' and 'graceful' ..... but I too have met some rather un-graceful Graces!

[scarlettsmummy2]

Thanks bigbluebump, I really wanted Ottilie as a first name but my husband would'nt agree! I still think she looks more of an Ottilie than a florence.

[SoSoMamanBebe]

Ottilie and Dephine were high on my list but DH vetoed them with relish. I look at anyone with an Ottilie with

[PoppyWearer]

Florence.

It's a family name and we would have used it if DC2 had been a girl. Florence Daisy.

I also love Ottilie and Delphine, but DH vetoed anything too French - Florence was English enough to pass his test.

[needanothacuppa]

zxcv123-
well my daughter can be frequently a right little madam and has blonde/ginger curly long hair, and she is very capable of stamping her feet! However she is also called Grace and is a very graceful dancer, and would also love to do gymnastics if we had room in our busy schedule! So don't typecast people!!! Shes not always a little madam, she can also be a lovely fun loving tomboy btw, I made her sound terrible, but she is just a normal child, and not at all a spoilt brat.....

Sorry Jac1978, Im hijacking your post, but I would like to add that Grace is a lovely name, timeless and not over popular. I think its nice that there are a few other children around with the same name, as long as not too many. It evens out later on in life. Obviously its the name we chose for our dd and neither her or us regret it at all. She only got the name btw because we couldn't agree on anything else!!! .

[emmyloo2]

Very true squoosh, very true.

[MagicDougal]

I think some of you have been unfair on zxcv123 I don't think she's type casting at all. All she's saying is if you give your child a 'meaningful' name it is more noticable when the child doesn't represent that meaning. I know an adult Grace who should I would describe as in reality as more Rottweiler than Grace!!! She does actually comment herself that her name doesn't particularly represent her personality.

It's like a boy being called Rambo who is actually a whiny Mummy's boy. His macho name would make his persoanility it even more unfortunate and it would probably get commented on and maybe even more pressure but on him to represent his name. Or someone called Temperance who turned out to an alcoholic, some called Princess who was more like an ugly sister, a girl called Chastity who.......well I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this...........

[Ham69]

I don't think i was being unfair on zxcv123. I understand the point being made, but I think it could have been worded differently. An adult not living up to their name is more fair, but to meet a little girl and describe them as dumpy and clumsy and expect them to be dainty and well-mannered at all times, whatever their name, and be surprised when they're not, is a bit much to expect! Kids are kids, they all have their moments and it's all character builder and part of growing up.

[zxcv123]

Goodness me.

Can I just point out that I never said all Graces are ungraceful. Obviously they're not! Just that the ones that I've met, co-incidentally, are. Weird, but true nonetheless. I also specifically said "Graces of all ages", not the "small children" Ham69 accuses me of being unfair to.

The point I was making was that I think people will notice a discrepancy (if there is one) between the meaning of a name and someone's personality; whereas they wouldn't if the same child was called Rachel or Rebecca or whatever. Given that no-one can possibly know how their babies will develop over time, I think that is a valid consideration.

In any event, we seem to have bored the OP, as she has not responded.