DH says that Cecily sounds like "silly"

[javotte]

I am still looking for an English middle name (I am half-French, half-English) for DD2. I really like Cecily, but DH says he hears "silly". I disagree (the stress is not on the same syllable), but strictly speaking English is not my first language, no what do you native speakers think?

Daft. They don't sound the same. Carry on!

How about Cecilia as an alternative?

ebook First name and middle name n°1 end in -ia. Plus Cecilia isn't immediately identifiable as an "English" name for French people.

I love it, but my DH hated it! How about Cecile?

Thanks Sastra, but Cecile (Cécile) is a very French name, and I am looking for an English only name.

Ah, I see. Celia is very English!

Your DH is right, I hear "Silly" too and it's a very prissy silly sort of name too to my ears. Sorry.

Cecily is in my top 5 most awful names ever.

It does sound a bit like silly. It also sounds a bit like celery.

I agree with your DH. Maybe Cecilia would be better, though not really to my taste, it's a bit 'frilly'. Celia sounds very old-fashioned to me.

I don't think there are many names that are strictly 'English only', many come from other cultures/languages, or have an equivalent or similar-sounding form in other European languages.

Was it you who started a thread a while ago looking for 'royal' English names? Did you not like any of the suggestions there?

Very nice as a middle name. Go for it!

Yes, Ephiny, that was me.
The problem is, DH decided on my due date that he didn't like any of the names on my list. We have settled on a first name that is already royal (it exists in French and English) and rather "heavy", so Margaret, Elizabeth, Katherine etc. would be too much.

I think Cecily is a beautiful name, and doesn't sound like "silly" at all. I hadn't thought about it until reading your post but there are lots of names around at the moment that rhyme with "silly" - Lily, Millie, Billie - would anyone not use those because they rhyme with "silly"?
Just as a matter of interest, why do you want a name that's immediately identifiable as "English"?

Hi bluestocking
I want an "English" name to honour my English roots (my Dad is English). All DCs have a French first name, a Berber middle name (DH is from Algeria) and an English middle name.

Oh well at least you got the first name sorted out :). What about Felicity? Emily, Romilly, Verity, Mary?

Not too keen on Cecily, but Cecilia is an utterly beautiful name.

I like the style of the name but not the name itself. too many essess.

Celia is nicer though.

Cecily = so silly here. Sorry. Celia is far better IMO.

Not keen on Cecily.

'What does she look like?'
'She looks like Great Uncle Cecil, y'know a bit Cecily'

The only Cecily I know is called Silly as a nickname. Sorry.

I love it, though. Cecilia and Celia are too sniffy for me, whereas Cecily sounds friendly.

People I know who have considered Cecily were also seriously thinking of Felicity and Amelie, if that helps.

I love Cecily. If it wasn't for our surname being full of the letter s we wanted it as a first name. Really pretty name.

Well I suppose your DH is right to the extent that whether you pronounce the name Sessilly or Sissilly it does end with "silly".

Cecilia or Celia would remove the rhyme. The only Cécile I know is English with no French heritage, so it does work in UK.

Emily?

I am an Amelie , so no Amelie or Emily.
My granddad suggested his mother's name, Beatrice, but it is the same in French .
Other MN on my shortlist are Margaret (a bit too much with the first name IMO) and Matilda.

Charlotte or Grace???

Ella?