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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Stuck for a girls name, making me very upset now!!

89 replies

ACM88 · 20/07/2014 22:35

A few weeks ago I posted a thread about the name Jean for a girl. It was met with lots of lovely positive remarks, which made me feel good about the name, but when I sit and think about it, I'm not at all convinced.

My OH suggested the name, he loves it, and it has huge significance. My beloved nans names, and baby is due on her birthday. I get really annoyed and defensive when people critise it, but I'm not sure if I'm honest. I've not mentioned name choice to any friends or family yet, and I'm sure it will be sneered at, at least to begin with.

Don't really want to go back to drawing board, because OH and I don't agree on many girls names. He likes Michelle (?), Judith, and Greta. I like Nancy, April, and Evelyn, but these are met with grunts and snorts. Feel like crying. I don't want to chose a name I don't love, and then regret it! Any advice? Genius name suggestions?

OP posts:
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ACM88 · 21/07/2014 09:43

Thanks all- I think I need to sit on it, and see what baby looks like when they arrive!

I do like the name, but can't say I love it, not as much as our boys choice, and that's why I'm so doubtful I think. Confused

OP posts:
Allalonenow · 21/07/2014 09:48

Ooh I love Ruby Jean!

ILoveCoreyHaim · 21/07/2014 09:56

Jean is my dds middle name. Not sure i would have used it as her first name though

florascotia · 21/07/2014 09:56

Wildcards here, but how about Georgina or Eugenia? As previous poster said, Gina is a good name and sounds very similar to Jean.

Alternatively, because Jean, Jane, Joan are all forms of the same ancient name, you might like to consider some of the other variations. You can see a list here, for example: www.behindthename.com/name/jean-2

ILoveCoreyHaim · 21/07/2014 09:57

And its her great nanas name

rootypig · 21/07/2014 09:57

If you don't love Jean, I wouldn't. I went for a name for sentimental reasons and that I liked on paper (I liked the meaning, that it's traditional but not widely used) and I have never grown to love it. DD goes by a totally different nickname.

But I agree that Jean is a great middle name. How about Nancy Jean?

burgatroyd · 21/07/2014 09:59

I like Ruby Jean but am not fond of Ruby as fn. jean is lovely as first name, really it is.

ACM88 · 21/07/2014 10:44

I love Nancy, still holding out for that!!

Not a fan of gina, or Joan, or Georgina. But good suggestions based on Jean! It's frustrating not to love the name, I'm sure baby will grow into it, and once they are here, people won't critise as much, at least not to my face!! I just don't want to regret it!!

OP posts:
Mammanat222 · 21/07/2014 10:52

I like Jean, it's my Mum's name but not something we'll use (sadly) as OH dislikes it.

myotherusernameisbetter · 21/07/2014 12:47

I like Jean. i know a thirty something one so don't have it badged as an old persons name.

If you are looking for alternatives in the same vein, I like:

Melanie Jean
Linda Jean
Laura Jean
Lillian Jean
Heidi Jean

settingsitting · 21/07/2014 12:53

I know someone who chose Lucy as a sort of compromise name that suited both partners.

Coconutty · 21/07/2014 12:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ACM88 · 21/07/2014 22:27

Yes will keep open mind, may well stick with Jean, it's tough to decide. If I think on it too long I get upset because this isn't the wonderful name choosing scenario that I had imagined!! OH have rarely disagreed in our decade together as much as we have choosing a girls name these past months!! Confused Sad

OP posts:
ACM88 · 21/07/2014 22:29

...meant to say my OH and I have rarely disagreed...

OP posts:
myotherusernameisbetter · 21/07/2014 22:35

Maybe just wait until the baby is here, seems a bit silly to give yourself this grief when it could very well be a boy :)

Also, we didn't decide absolutely on a boys name but had a couple that we were going to choose from but in the end didn't use any of those and chose something else entirely!

ACM88 · 21/07/2014 22:38

Very true myotheruser x

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rattyboombatty · 22/07/2014 18:48

Valerie Jean?

ACM88 · 22/07/2014 19:02

Valerie yes but massive no to Val x

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callipygian00 · 22/07/2014 19:51

How about Jane, Jayne, Janie, Janet, Janette, Jeanette?

thegreylady · 22/07/2014 19:55

I like Nancy Jean it is very pretty.

ACM88 · 22/07/2014 19:58

Nancy Jean is my favourite, OH is still championing Jean Florence F hmmf

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littlewhitebag · 22/07/2014 19:59

Nancy Jean is great. It's my mum's name (Nancy) and her best friends name (Jean).

KenDoddsDadsDog · 22/07/2014 22:35

I love Jean , fab name ! Would use it as first name but some of the other variations like Nancy or Polly Jean are class too.

Frikadellen · 22/07/2014 23:17

Niece is Hannah-Jean named after her grandmothers. I wasnt massively keen when sister first announced however over the years it has really grown on me and now I think its lovely.

If you like it and it has significance then absolutely go for it.

LuckyLuckyMe · 22/07/2014 23:33

It might be way off the mark but I know an Eleanor Jean and I think it's lovely.

Other suggestions:

Nora Jean
Martha Jean
Lucy Jean
Eva Jean
Matilda Jean

I don't know if I'm of any help but I know what it's like not to love a name but use it anyway.