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?

Jane
Rosalind
Rosamund
Rosemary
Grace
Jennifer
Gwendolene
Juliet
Jemima
Alice
Annabel
Tamsin
Imogen
Eva
Zara
Philippa
Fiona

are all English-y names

Caroline, Anna, Rebecca, Jessica, Millicent, Martha, Matilda, Joanne, Philamena, Penelope, Eve????

And Harriet

I think Cecily is absolutely beautiful. Never crossed my mind to think of 'silly', just reminds me of Oscar Wilde Character... Go for it.

Georgia, Tilly???

Cressida?

Thanks for the suggestions. Most of them are the same in French. Juliet was a favourite of mine, but the three names would spell V.A.J.

Jane

Jane would also spell VAJ

Matilda is MUCH nicer imo.

Does it have to be something where the French is different, even if it's an 'Englishy' name?

Yes HAGB, I'd like the French to be different - that's why I'm not sure about Matilda. The DCs have got DH's surname. I don't speak English to them. The only trace they will have of their English heritage is their middle name (and large feet).

Funny you should mention this - I "tease" my DD Cecilia that when we were registering her birth we wanted to call her "Silliness" because she is so silly but the registrar wouldn't let us so we settled for the closest thing to that.

So I guess I'm saying that yes, maybe there is that connection but so what? My DD's silliness brings us a lot of joy!

You might be left with names like

Ivy
Iris
Laurel
Hazel
Holly
Rowan
Sally
Sorerel
Cherry
Keziah
Marigold
Primrose
Tansy
Snowdrop
Daisy
Poppy
Bluebell
Aven
Clover
Willow

Dove
Robin/Robyn
Wren
Lark

Fenella
Saffron
Sage

or

Hope
Faith
Verity
Joy (J)

or

Amethyst
Garnet
Beryl
Pearl
Ruby
Opal
Jade

or

Arden
Avery

Lyric
Sonnet

Journey (but there's that J)
True
Liberty
Trinity

or names that might be a bit different in French

India
Tess/ Tessa
Morgan
Nancy
Lyra
Hester
Judith (J)
Jill (J)
Pamela
Kate (not Katherine, just Kate)
Eliza
Samantha
Jessica
Dorothy
Clarinda
Lucinda
Miranda
Kim
Kay
Blythe
Kirsten
Christabel
Polly
Maisie
Alexandra

Not Sorerel, Sorrel... ooops.

If you like Beatrice, but want it more English, what about Beatrix?

English-language nature-based names? Blossom, Summer, Leigh, Heather, River?

English place names maybe. Chelsea? Iona or Skye (though they're Scottish obviously)? Any particular region that has significance or history for you?

I thought Beatrix was Dutch?
Great-grandma was always known as Beatie, but I am normally against nicknames on the birth certificate.

Ephiny those are good ideas. But would with DS's and DD1's very traditional middle names? (William and Eleanor)

Argh! would they go well with, of course.

javotte, Beatrix is not Dutch. It's not English either (it's solidly Latin), but what I really meant was less French.
It is commonly associated with Miss Potter, though, and there is little more English than that.

Hmm, maybe then Harriet, Violet or Scarlet instead of Juliet?

Or other Shakespearean names: Imogen, Cordelia, Regan, Miranda?

How dare he! If you are looking for an English name what about Rose, or Mary.

Elizabeth Alexandra or Victoria all sound very English to my ear.