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Baby names

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Original poster

Would you call your daughter Valentina?

69 replies

KatieG1987 · 05/02/2015 12:32

As the title suggests - first or middle name? DH and I really like it but not sure if people will think it is too poncy or WAG(y) ? DH grandmother is French and really struggling with a french name but love this.

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Cecyhall · 05/02/2015 12:35

Yes I would, I think it's lovely for a first or middle name but I wouldn't want it shortened to Val.

don't listen to me though as I wanted to call dc2 Tigerlily so some would say I can't be trusted on name choices

Chocolateteacake · 05/02/2015 12:35

I assumed it was Italian! A favourite cookery writer of mine is Valentina Harris.

Hakluyt · 05/02/2015 12:36

My niece is Valentina. I'm afraid people do think it's poncy.....sorry. Particularly as her mother goes seriously ballistic if anyone even breathes a hint of shortening it.........

NormHonal · 05/02/2015 12:37

She would end up as Val.

Duckdeamon · 05/02/2015 12:38

Like it but agree some will think it's a bit pretentious unless you are from outside UK!

juneau · 05/02/2015 12:38

If I was Italian, yes, if not, no. I think its fine to plunder your own cultural heritage for names, but weird to plunder others'.

Original poster
KatieG1987 · 05/02/2015 12:38

I would like to use it as a middle name just so it didn't get shortened to Val or Tina! Struggling with MN - and the thing is most of them get forgotten!!

OP posts:
Hakluyt · 05/02/2015 12:39

Actually, I think it's SIl people think poncy rather than the name............her other children have names in a similar style, in a family of plain names. So ignore me.

NadiaWadia · 05/02/2015 13:00

juneau sorry, but that's just silly. Most names that we use in the UK have an origin in another country/language, if you look into it.

The only Valentina I have heard of was not Italian, but Russian. Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to go into space.

I think it's pretty, and have heard it mentioned on this board quite recently, so maybe it's about to come into fashion.

AmyLeeha · 05/02/2015 13:12

I know two baby Valentinas (neither in the UK but both with Anglo parents). I've got French links too and think it's a lovely name. I don't know how the Val and Tina thing will pan out though...

If you like it, just go for it!

Notso · 05/02/2015 13:15

No. I don't like it at all.

ChunkyPickle · 05/02/2015 13:22

Absolutely would (especially if born on the 14th.. I don't think you could resist if she was!)

Val and Tina are issues (Val not awful though) - I think I'd be fine with calling her Valley - you just have to get in there first with the shortening.

Sophronia · 05/02/2015 13:23

It's pretty but a bit OTT. I wouldn't use it.

Butterpuff · 05/02/2015 13:33

I'd use it as a middle name if my daughter was born on the 14th Feb. Its a nice name, but I'm not sure of the shortened Val.

shakemysilliesout · 05/02/2015 13:35

I went to school with a valentine. It was never shortened. We just accepted it as her name but teachers always asked about it which made her feel awkward. It was a name used in her family- what I remember is that she felt she ha to justify it as people were a bit funny about it. I prefer it to valentina as I don't like Tina.

KittyandTeal · 05/02/2015 13:36

I taught a Valentini, which I thought was a beautiful name.

HerRoyalNotness · 05/02/2015 13:38

I do like it, but don't like the tina on the end. The only one I know is a Chilean child

juneau · 05/02/2015 13:39

Okay, point taken that there are Valentinas from other countries too, not just Italy. However, I think to choose a name that screams 'Irish' or 'Spanish' or something that your family is not is pretentious and silly. That's just my opinion anyway.

BlueStarsAtNight · 05/02/2015 13:39

I'm afraid my first instinct was that is does sound a bit poncy/WAG-ish, but I think it's one of those that would soon just become the child, and I wouldn't think anything of it after hearing it the first time.
I prefer it as a middle name though, Val and Tina are not nice.

Nolim · 05/02/2015 13:39

Lovely

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 05/02/2015 13:39

I know a (male) Valentin in Germany and a female Valentina here. Valentina has an Italian dad. I like it.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 05/02/2015 13:41

I think it's a really pretty name and wouldn't shorten it unless the user did themselves

SirVixofVixHall · 05/02/2015 13:41

I think its lovely. Am also not mad on Val but I think Tina is really sweet and due a revival as a nn.

SlideIn · 05/02/2015 13:44

I had a French colleague called Valentine. Wasn't shortened, always thought lovely.

reuset · 05/02/2015 13:44

Absolutely would (especially if born on the 14th.. I don't think you could resist if she was!)

Oh I think I could.

No I don't like it. Or Val or Tina