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Valentine, for a girl?

16 replies

MrsPinault · 29/09/2012 16:38

And how would you pronounce it?

I don't like Valentina, which I know would be more usual. But I just don't like it Smile

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peeriebear · 29/09/2012 16:48

It's a boy's name, sorry.

Pochemuchka · 29/09/2012 16:50

I'm pretty sure there was a thread about exactly the same thing a couple of months ago if you search.
I personally think it's ok and am not keen on Valentina either but the only Valentine I know is a man.

Avalicious1980 · 29/09/2012 16:59

I love it. I think it's the French way of spelling it and it's usually pronounced Valentin.

I considered it for DD2's middle name but husband vetoed it and everyone else hated it.

Go for it......am jealous!

MrsPinault · 29/09/2012 17:24

Thanks Poche, found the thread. But I don't think the MN jury returned a full verdict. I guess it's always going to be a Marmite name.

I think I would pronounce it Valen-teen and I think Avalicious might be right that it's the French spelling.

OP posts:
nulgirl · 29/09/2012 17:31

It's a boy's name isn't it? I doubt you'd be able to get anyone outside of your immediate family to pronounce it the way you want either. Everyone will just pronounce it the way it's normally said in English. My dh is French so we picked named that are pronounced pretty similarly in both languages as it is a pain constantly having to correct people.

As you say' it's a marmite name but worth bearing in mind when everyone mispronounces her name and thinks she's a boy.

ImpYCelyn · 29/09/2012 17:39

Girl's name in France, pronounced as you want; but a boy's name in England, pronounced as in Feb 14th.

I wouldn't be that shocked to meet a girl called Valentine in England, but I would pronounce it the English way, not the French.

DS1&2 both have French names - when we're in England people pronounce them the English way and we suck it up because we think it's normal that different language = different pronunciation. But if it'll bother you then think again, because the vast majority of people will pronounce -tine not -teen.

AnOldieButNotSoGoody · 29/09/2012 21:36

Beautiful.

I think it's normally a boys name but would consider it for a dd.

mayanna123 · 29/09/2012 21:38

I much prefer Valentina for a girl.

Valentine (English) or Valentin (German) are boys' names to my ears.

baskingseals · 30/09/2012 10:15

absolutely love it. wouldn't see it as strange at all.
fwiw i love both versions.

amandine07 · 30/09/2012 17:45

I think Valentine is definitely a boy's name- in France it's spelt Valentin, have never met a Valentin/e in the UK...I can imagine the horrendous playground teasing!

Honestly, use whatever name you prefer but Valentina is the girl's version.

Colyngbourne · 30/09/2012 22:42

Valentine is a lovely girl's (or boy's) name. And is the name of one of the central characters in Parade's End, recently adapted on the BBC.

evamummy · 01/10/2012 11:23

I though Valentine is the English version of Valentin (German, French) so definately a boys' name.

Valentina sounds more feminine to me.

elizaregina · 01/10/2012 13:02

i love it - but Val and Tina put me off.

Pasiphae · 01/10/2012 14:20

Valentine is the French version of Valentina. pn as Valenteen, to rhyme with Josephine.
It's like Valentina but less frilly, I think it's bloomin' lovely!

susiedaisy · 01/10/2012 14:21

I only know of one valentine and he's a man!

lamprey42 · 10/10/2012 05:39

There is a female Valentine in Adriana Trigliani's series (www.adrianatrigiani.com/home/the-books/very-valentine/). I quite like the name.

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