Ciel, Anouk, Anya, etc…?

[sparklingharbour]

Hi, I am expecting a girl and am finding it hard to find a name I like enough, if you know what I mean. There are plenty of names I like, but I can't find the one.

What are your opinions on the these names?

Ciel
Anouk
Anya
Inez
Annelise
Seraphine

I am veering towards Ciel at the moment, but it is so unusual (to me at least) that I would like to gauge reactions. I love nature names, and the combination of the French meaning (sky) and the soft flow of the word is appealing. I think some people will pronounce it Seal rather than See-elle, but don't really care. I have a very humdrum name and it is often misspelt and it's no biggie.

Thanks in advance.

Love Inez and Anya!

Ciel is nice but as you say it'll be consistently mispronounced as Seal which could well be good teasing fodder.

Thanks, I love Inez and Anya too, but they don't have the "meaning" right for me. Which isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Inez means pure, and Anya means grace. The sky/heavens trumps both of those for me .

Are there really that many people who wouldn't know how to pronounce Ciel I wonder? I learned French in school so the correct pronunciation comes very naturally to me.

How about Miel (honey) or Miellé (honeyed / of honey)

Astrid!

I love ciel! and I knew exactly how to say it . It reminds me of a line from a Rimbaud poem. And inez is gorgeous,makes me think willowy, chic french supermodel/actress.
Id never comment on baby name thread. But go for it, if u like it. Dont overthink follow your gut.

(oh, I could have sworn Astrid was a 'heavens' name -misremembered it seems)

Meal? . Mielle does flow beautifully doesn't it? Love Astrid, but it is the "As" bit puts me off!! Still prefer Ciel though!

Thanksrosierelala! What's the Rimbaud poem? I love Inez now, it is mostly the "pure" meaning puts me off a bit. Just a bit though. Thanks for the encouragement. i named DD1 a very unusual name, which I'm sure a lot of people don't like, but I think it is beautiful and simple (sorry I can't say what it is as it is very identifying. Not that I am famous or anything.

I'm not particularly looking for a "sky" name by the way. Sorry for the confusion. I just like "nature" type names generally rather ones with religious connotations. Although ancient Goddess names are acceptable

Evangeline

Inez or Anouk from your list.

Other names on a nature theme...
Stella
Luna
Rowan
Aspen
Iris
Raven
Berry
Pearl

Celeste

I have considered Celeste as well, but it is a bit of an old-fashioned name to me as know a few people of my mother's generation with that name.

I like Estelle too (rather than Stella), and some of the other names mentioned.

But mainly I like the ones on my list so am looking for comments on those. Thanks though for other suggestions, don't want to be ungrateful.

Umm - I think Ciel is a brand name in either Lidl or Aldi. It might not matter to you, but you might prefer to be aware in advance.

As for the rest of your list, I really like Seraphine. Estelle is lovely, too.

Ciel! is also an exclamation, meaning "heavens above"! You may want to avoid it....

Thanks for that info. Yes, tis good to know these things . Seraphine was a frontrunner for a long while, as I love the "fire meaning" (less keen on the angel association). But the simplicity of some of the others appeals a lot. Love simple names.

Oops think I got it wrong - the brand name is Cien, not Ciel, sorry.

Please ignore me!

Sacre Bleu - how about that for a name

Phew, dramaalpaca (puts Ciel back to top of list)

Cant exactly remember the rimbaud poem reference. Id have to dig out the A level text from many moons ago.
I like all the names on your list, and miel/mielle is charming too.
Love the heavenly theme. How about estelle. Years ago I picked a persian name that meant star, but I didnt have a girl. Exdp was iranian hence the need for a name that meant something to both of us.
Enjoy planning and picking, there are so many lively unique choices out there.

there's an Anouk at DD's nursery (her mum is French I think). To me it seems like a very adult name, which of course is fine as she'll be an adult longer than she's a child, but, coupled with the fact that she's dressed in very 'grown up' styles and colours, just feels jarring to me.

Isn't Mielle a brand of kitchen appliances?

Miele is to notch electrical goods, yes.

Rosie Estelle is nice, but i think DH isn't too keen. What was the Persian name, if you don't mind saying?

Rivertam, Anouk (and Inez) aren't very childlike tis true, but I like their elegance.

If you spend any time at all in France then Ciel and Miel are really non-starters I'm afraid, they really sound weird, and not in a good way.

Sela?
nameberry.com/babyname/Sela