Two very different boys names

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We can only find two boys names that we like (compared with the 20 plus options we had for a girl...damn!)

I'd welcome friendly/helpful opinions, I am well aware they won't be to all/many people's tastes! Also, any alternatives? We'd like something French or Welsh ideally, but have been through endless lists and haven't been able to add to the shortlist.

name 1 is Gryffin. My concern is this is not the usual spelling, but it's the way we like it spelled. DS would be 'Gryff' day to day.

name 2 is Etienne. Concerned about how people will shorten (is Eti a horrid nn?) and that people will struggle with spelling/pronunciation?

It's likely that we'll wait to see the baby before we make a final decision!

Do you pronounce Etienne as et ee en. If so I like it a lot and don't worry about the nicknames as both my DS's have easily shortenable (is that a word?) names but as we have only ever used their full names people seem to take their cues from that and no one has shortened their names yet.

Not so keen on Gryffin and I find Gryff hard to say for some reason.

Presumably you want a Welsh or French name because of your own cultural backgrounds? If is the case, I don't see anything wrong with either name - I don't consider Etienne difficult to pronounce - although I am a French speaker - my only thought it whether it would seem like a feminine name to those unfamiliar with it.

Personally, I'm not as keen on Gryffin - partly because I like French names and partly because I would worry that people would think I had chosen it because it was a bit "woo" (a bit like Merlin or something IYSWIM?) but again, that's my personal taste and others might not feel that way, particularly if the Welsh heritage comes into play.

Love Gryffin, slightly more than Etienne.
Here are a few more Frenchy names you may like:
Corentin
Matthis
Victor
Emmanuel
Basil
Louis
Clément
Tanguy
Henri

I prefer Etienne. Lovely name that won't need shortening imo. I also like Clement or how about Quentin?

I love Etienne and also the nn Eti. It was one that we considered.

I like Gryff but not so keen on Gryffin

Thanks so much for the response--I'm pleased they don't seem too 'difficult'. Yes to French or welsh because of our backgrounds, and youbethemummylion, spot on for pronounciation. Comtesse, I also think it sounds slightly feminine, but I think it works well on grown men (compared to little boys).
Clement was one of my favourites by DH was not so keen. I may reintroduce it as an option and see what he thinks.
And tigrou, I just love basil! It feels so retro (thinking fawlty towers) but DH wouldn't entertain it!

I quite like both names. Griffin/Gryffin isn't a Welsh name though I don't think.

I love Etienne and it was on my list for DS but it was vetoed for sounding too feminine

Hi Celtic, you're right--it would be Gruffydd (equivalent of Griffith) - Gryffin is a variant (I think!!)

Tristan is Welsh and used in France.

I really like Gryffin/Gryff. It will be easier for people I spell/pronounce than Etienne.

I really really like the name Etienne - I wouldn't worry too much about the pronunciation. People usually only need told once . We had always joked that we would use it - it's French for my husband's name. We had daughters.

I prefer gryff as a full name. Very nice, I don't think you need to use gryffin.

Etienne is lovely. Eti is cute.

Just wanted to say thank you very much, it's been helpful/reassuring to post

Why not just go with Gryff as its recognisable as a name in its own right.
Etienne is lovely.

Etienne to my ears sounds very feminine

I have no knowledge off French because I'm a philistine but I would assume girl

chicken it's the French version of Stephen. Definitely a boy's name, but DH would agree with you.

I think Etienne, particulary nn Eti sounds very feminine as well which is why I like Gryff

I know a just turned 5 year old Griffin (this is his spelling) he is adorable and very masculine. In my ignorance I thought Etienne was a female name and I think this will be the case for most people in English speaking countries. Do you want your son explaining his name almost daily for the rest of his life? A criteria when choosing a name for our son was that he wouldn't be embarrassed or have to explain himself when chatting a girl up. Also will it work whatever line of work he chooses? Can it be yelled across a building site, office or hospital and not raise a snigger or confusion?

Etienne is lovely (French equivalent of Stephen), I much prefer the full welsh Gruffydd than Gryffin.

Etienne is lovely - I actually like Stephen or Stefan too. Like Gryff without the in!

Not sure why people think Etienne is feminine?

The only versions I know are St Etienne the band (London band named after the French football team) and St Etienne the football team (allez le verte), and Saint Etienne the saint, (St Stephen).

VB can you think of another boy's name used in the UK that ends in -enne?

Can you think of any girl's names...

Well, I don't know of any names ending in -enne that aren't French in origin.