French name in England

[jmk8009]

We're both French living in London and would like to pick a name for our little girl that reflects her heritage but doesn't sound too odd or old-fashioned in English. The ones that we really like are Clémence (possibly Clémentine) and Pauline, but we're also considering Charlotte and Caroline. What do you think?

I like Julia. Also Alicia. I know 2 French girls with these names, but they are not particularly French iyswim. Sophie is nice. Lucie? (Lulu for short)

I like Clementine best of your names. I've always liked it (I like the oranges too). Also like Charlotte. Not Pauline!

Josephine
Madeline
Susana

Amelie
Amandine

Pauline crosses over very easily in terms of spelling, pronounciation etc but is rather old fashioned and frumpy.

Clemence would have some initial with solely English speakers, but it is easy enough once you are used to it.

The English/French girls I know are:
Alice
Stella
Anna
Ella
Rose
Sophie
Isabel (not sure of spelling)
Sara
Zoe
Nicole
Solange ! Clearly the English parent didn't have much influence here!
Amelie
Eloise

Odette

About Lilou, it's the opposite - it's popular and quite faddy, I think. It sounds more like a cutesy nickname than a "real" name, if you know what I mean.

OP, I hear you! I also liked Clémence when I was looking for a name for Dd, but the accent problem put me off. Same issue to a lesser extent with Lucie, I fear the poor girl would have to spell her name all her life. Loved Marianne, but DH vetoed it (boo).

I ended up going with Sophie, which I know is terribly popular is the UK, but I don't care because I like it!

Really don't like Caroline btw, it does sound very 80s to me.

at Solange. I always think it sounds like Blancmange!

If Solange Knowles married Julian Assange (and changed her name) she'd be Solange Assange. I sound sozzled when I try to say it!

What about Celeste?

Camille sounds really pretty!

Mona?

I seond Amandine. Sounds nice to English ears and very pretty. Lilou also sounds nice byt would get pronounced Lie (lye)- Loo, plus I think it's s bit overused in France.

A lot of people would think of this soap character when they heard the name Pauline

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Fowler

A lot of these names are nice (with the exception of Solange, lol), but we both have big families and we're the youngest and also the last ones to have children, so not much choice left! I personally love Sophie and Camille but we already have both on my DH's side.

I haven't considered Amandine, I thought it would be too French. Then again, not more French than Clémence I suppose! How would people pronounce the ending though? I imagine "ine" as in "dine", rather than "inn"?

I must say I'm really surprised about the connotations of Pauline! I think someone mentioned this earlier in the thread, but in France you would associate Pauline with a bright little girl, who is well-mannered and has excellent grades at school! :) But it's good to know how this name would be perceived over here, so thank you everyone for enlightening me!

I like Solange and also Sabine.
I live in France and know 2 Lilou s both under five. I agree with Chachah - it's more like a cute nickname than a "proper" name.
I can't imagine a Docteur Lilou ou Maître Lilou.
I like Madeleine but in France it's very much an old granny's name.
What about -
Estelle
Emmeline
Juliette
Manon

Odette
I associate this with old maiden aunts along with
Mauricette
Josette
Georgette
Paulette
Jeanette
Bernardette

I am trying to convince DH about Margot - I love it. I used to associate it with Margot from The Good Life but now it makes me think of the three girls from despicable me :o

Also have a French friend called Clothilde which I love, she goes by Clo.

Your names are lovely, and just to add one more that hasn't been mentioned - Beatrice?

jmk8009 I agree that Pauline probably has a very different image in Britain.

I know a 5 year old Pauline who lives in the Netherlands. Her parents are German and American and no-one seems to consider the name dated. She is known as Line (pron. Leen)

Agree Pauline = middle aged in England
Charlotte is a classic, solid name.
Caroline is also a little middle aged but I think it may be on its way back.
Clemence is pretty but the accent will be missed off a lot.

From the other suggestions I love Sabine, Madeleine, Margot, Emmeline, Juliette, Fabienne, Marianne

Other suggestions that would cross over well (but I have no idea how these are regarded in France):

Celine (though again the accent would be missed a lot)
Corinne/Carine
Elise
Lucie
Sylvie

How about Magali or the alternative spelling Magalie?

I wouldn't have thought people would have too much trouble with that in England.

My paternal grandfather was French, and if I was more than a 1/4 French, I'd use the name!

I think that if you like the name Pauline, then use it. Make it your own.

A lot of overseas born parents seem to use names that for some reason seem out of date here, but it makes no difference to the other children.

I know a Clarice, and a Sandra for instance, which I cant imagine an english person choosing, but its not horrible either.

I do like Paulette.