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

[ACM88]

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?

Love Nancy Jean.

I also like Jeanie. Genie? Imogen?

My DH loved the name we eventually picked for our DD. I wasn't 100 per cent but I went with it. Even her name tag in the hospital said undecided because I wasn't sure. But I am very glad we went for it because it suits her perfectly. I think these feelings are normal.

We both love Eleanor, but we have two friends called this and it gets very confusing! (Unfortunately)

I also look after a Martha and Matilda so they are vetoed.

Nancy is my very favourite, saw Violet on here the other day, and I think that's pretty also. I'm pretty convinced it's going to be a boy anyway, so we have decided to each write a list of our top 2 names and if it's a girl we will pick from them then.

Definitely encouraged to see such lovely comments about the name Jean though! Thank you all xx

Elinora/Eleanora (Nora) Jean....or is that too close to Norma Jean?

What's wrong with Florence Jean then if he wants Jean Florence?

Florence provides lots of nn options aswell?

I think Jean could work on the right child! Jeannie is sweet. Do you have any other children?
Just considering if this is your first and you choose Jean then you may have to go down the route of granny/grandad chic names for future children if you like the names to match? If not, then not an issue......!

What is the boys name you love? May help pick a similiar girl alternative!

Nancy is gorgeous IMO... Push for that! What about Gretal as an alternative to Greta ?

Hey no this is baby no.1!
We have Kit James for a boy, James as mn. I absolutely love this name, I think it's one to be proud of! I don't quite feel the same way about Jean, hencey trepidation!!

We have a friend who has just had a baby Florence (even though it was inspired by us!!) it makes it tough to use for a first name, especially as I imagine we will be spending lots of time together!

I don't know if it is granny chic, it may well be, but we like strong, uncommon names, but not made up!

Is Janet/Jeanette any good to you?

No don't like Janet or Jeanette...I've decided to just not think about Jean anymore, I'm burying my head in the sand a little and will see firstly whether baby is boy or a girl, and then see what name suits them. No matter what they are called, I'm sure they will grow to fit the name anyway.

Flora Jean
Mallory Jean

Mallory means bad luck, Pom Pom!

FWIW, OP, with my sisters first, her and her DH who are usually very like-minded could not agree whatsoever on a girls' name, so they went for the only one they agreed on, which neither really loved. She's always regretted it, and wouldn't admit it overtly but reading between the lines i suspect she actually dislikes DD1's name now.

With DD2 she was much more headstrong and forced through the name she likes, DH got over that much quicker than my sister got over the mistake with DD1.

Nancy Jean is lovely - pursuade him, it's worth it :P

Vivi- that's my major concern, if I don't love it now, will I ever get over it? I don't want to regret my first child's name. I equally don't want hubby to dislike it. Girls names are harder I think because there are so many choices, boys was much more straightforward!

Yes I can imagine. In the absence of the happy situation that you both love a name, IMO it's better to choose a name the female one of you loves and the other thinks is alright than one you both think is just ok...

Hahahahahaha

He did very generously say, after lots of nagging the other night, that I get the final say. How true that will be in cold light of day, we will see!

When my friend named her baby Martha I really wasn't sure I liked it, (not that it mattered what I thought of course!) but several years on I absolutely adore it, and it suits her perfectly, I think Jean is quite unusual but lovely, and you may actually be surprised by the nice comments you get! Jeannie is adorable! X

You're definitely right, I've been surprised by the positivity around the name Jean!!

Can I add Frances to the mix? It strikes me it might appeal to a lover of both Greta and Nancy somehow.

I must admit I hadn't considered it- good suggestion! X

How about Georgina if you're not sure about Jean? Genie would be a nice nickname

If you have a kit this time will you want jean for a dc2?

Here's kit and jean doesn't quite sound right to me.

April Jean goes well.

And 'here's April and Kit' sounds fine.

Ruby Jean is brilliant.

Have you considered the french version of Jean which is Jeanne. Pronounced with Soft J & arn sound so very different to Jean.

weatherall good point! I hadn't thought that far ahead!!

Georgina is just a bit too regular for my taste, but a pretty name!

OH said last night that he really likes Nancy, so it seems relentless nagging does work! Haha

I'm struggling with this too.
I love the name Lilia and have since day one but others just respond with Lilia!?

My advice is to just follow your gut feeling and not to settle until you are 100% happy - don't think about others response.

Jean is lovely but don't settle for a name you aren't over the moon about but more importantly don't not name her that because of what others think!

Just remember - you don't have to name her until she's here!

Jeanie or Joanie were top of DPs list, though we didn't use them in the end. Lovely names though.

How about Vivienne?

Vivienne has been a popular suggestion, I do like it, but don't like viv so much!

Yes you're right, we can hold off to name them. I think I've decided Jean can't be the first name, it's just not something I love enough...