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Baby names

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

Original poster

Manon

33 replies

TravellingHopefully12 · 09/06/2015 11:07

It's a moot point as I'm not PG and have to plan it carefully due to stupid health stuff I've posted about in another thread, but what do people think of the name Manon?

DP loves this name as do I, but I see issues with it being a bit too unusual - plus 'Manny' springs to mind as a nick name, which is horrible.

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SylvaniansAtEase · 09/06/2015 11:10

Loved it, but didn't use it because no good nn, as you say. 'Man' isn't great. Have also heard 'Non' which is a Welsh name in its own right - also not very keen.

However, I think it's one of those names which quite possibly wouldn't get shortened. A bit like Seren - know lots of those, all just called Seren.

So if you love it, go for it and make sure it's ALWAYS Manon?

Other ones that spring to mind:

Menna
Mali
Medi
Mabli

Highlandbird · 09/06/2015 11:12

Are you in Wales? It was a fairly common name when I was growing up (in my 30's) and I knew a few at school, so I wouldn't consider it an unusual name, but maybe outside of Wales it would be. Fwiw I like it! Grin

BriocheBriocheBrioche · 09/06/2015 11:14

I love it, I agree that the potential nicknames are great but it doesn't really need shortening.
Its on my list for baby number 2 if its a girl but we are in France and its super popular here so that puts me off a bit.

confusedandemployed · 09/06/2015 11:15

I think it's lovely. I also grew up in Wales and knew / know lots of them. Even so, it's not massively common in Wales like Nia / Lowri / Rhian.

SunnyBaudelaire · 09/06/2015 11:16

Really pretty yet strong - like 'Manon des Sources' - also I live in Wales so might be biased. Wish I had chosen this for my DD.

Dafspunk · 09/06/2015 11:17

I absolutely love Manny but don't like Manon. I wouldn't let that stop you though - if you love it, go for it and just always call him Manon. IMHO, adding the 'y' ending to names in the UK is something done by folks who're quite familiar with each other, eg. we have loads of Davids and Stevens at work and no one ever refers to them as Davy or Stevie because that would be too familiar. They do get called Dave and Steve but I don't think Manon would get shortened to just Man in the same way.

It wouldn't bother me but in case you would like to know, Manon is the name of a café chain in London (maybe elsewhere too but I've only ever seen it in London).

Original poster
TravellingHopefully12 · 09/06/2015 11:19

Hi Highland, no not in Wales, actually in Scotland, though she would have Scottish Grandparents who live in France where it is a more common name and DP has said he would want any potential child to spend their summers there.

OP posts:
SunnyBaudelaire · 09/06/2015 11:23

you could have 'Non' as a nickname....

Original poster
TravellingHopefully12 · 09/06/2015 11:23

By the way, thank you - I agree, Mabli is very pretty as well.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 09/06/2015 11:25

Sorry I don't like it. Makes me think of Charles Manson just missing an 'a'

Only1scoop · 09/06/2015 11:26

'S' whoops

acatcalledjohn · 09/06/2015 11:29

I know a Manon of primary school age and think it's a lovely name. To my knowledge no probs WRT horrible abbreviated forms.

alteredimages · 09/06/2015 11:29

I love it. I know a couple of Manons and no one shortens their names.

confused that is the first time I have heard my name described as common. Smile

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 09/06/2015 11:29

Love it.

Manon des Sources is one of my favourite all time films, the music is so haunting

It won't be shortened too often if you make it clear that you want her called by her full name. School and uni is a different thing but by then she'll enforce it herself or not as the case may be.

IssyStark · 09/06/2015 11:50

A friend's niece is called Manon but her family live in France so obv. it isn't at all unusual there.

If you both like it, I'd say go to it. Afterall, you can just quote the Auld Alliance as to why a Scots girl should have a French name Wink

reuset · 09/06/2015 11:54

Fairly popular in France. Not a great name for the UK I wouldn't have thought, the shortening to 'man', 'manny' There's also the tragic Manon Lescaut reference, if you care about that sort of thing (ballet, opera)

reuset · 09/06/2015 11:56

Dafspunk - Manon is a girl's name Grin Easy mistake to make though

SunnyBaudelaire · 09/06/2015 11:56

it is a well known and used name in this part of the UK, reuset!

reuset · 09/06/2015 13:19

Ah, Wales!

frozentree · 10/06/2015 08:14

I have a Manon - her father is Welsh, and we live in France so it fitted perfectly for us. No-one shortens it at all, but it is pronounced differently in French and English. In French it is more like MaNON, whereas in English it tends to be more like MAAAAnon.

deadwitchproject · 10/06/2015 08:43

Manon des Sources is one of my favourite all time films, the music is so haunting

One of my favourite films too so I think it's a great name.

iamnotaponceyloudperson · 10/06/2015 22:25

I went to school with a Manon. Love it! She was gorgeous and funny. Name was never shortened.

JasperDamerel · 10/06/2015 22:32

I like Manon des Sources, and think it is a lovely name.

WLmum · 10/06/2015 22:35

Beautiful

Mutteroo · 10/06/2015 23:03

My daughter had a Dutch friend called Manon. This was years ago (19 years ago)..... OMG I feel old!
Manon was a delightful little girl who we still have fond memories of & its a very pretty name OP.