Valancy

[Leaflitter]

I'm just reading a book with a (female!) character called Valancy.

I think it's lovely, though I've no baby to name, and might not be brave enough.

Think it's pronounced VALancy rather than the like the science word (valency). Perhaps a bit too much like valence?

Anyway, random suggestion for someone...?!

How about Fallacy?

That's the Lucy Maud Montgomery book! One of her only forays into adult fiction if I'm not mistaken. It's a terrible book isn't it

The first thing I remember on reading it was what a stupid name the main character had. I really don't think it's great. Sorry. Though interesting thread, and I'm glad you asked about it, I never thought I'd see the name on here.

No, it's awful. Brought me right back to my awful chemistry days at school. Valance as in the the electron having a full outer shell. I remember more than I thought after 15 odd years

How about:

Valance
Venetian
Draper
Cornice
Festoon
Jabot
Lambrequin
Mullion
Passementerie
Bay
courtesy of Drapery Terminology Glossary

It instantly made me think of a Loire Valley chateau, but I think that was Valençay.

Love it Red!

What are you saying reuset?! I loved that cheesy book.

Verity is similar

Valentine

Draper is no worse than Harper, Taylor and all the other horrible surname names that are currently so fashionable to give to girls.

There is a Valancy river in Cornwall (near Boscastle) so it reminds me of there and sound like a name to me

I can't see why Valancy should be sneered at when Clemency is often touted on here. I suppose it's one of those mysteries like Harry and Barry.

Sorry, Leaflitter

I really like Mullion for a boy and Passementerie for a girl. :) Pam for short.

Valencia might be nicer.

(Great city)

Indeed Zakken. Names come from somewhere.

If you look at the meaning of a lot of common names, people wouldn't consider using them for their child. They just like the sound of them.

There is a poster who has been on this section this week looking for a name for a little boy to go with a sister who essentially has a made up name but they associate it with a meaning they love. What's actually wrong with that?

In some ways it is easy to take the piss and the curtain thing above is funny but there are loads of real names you could say sound like household items. Its only because they have had a certain level of usage that we don't question it.

In some ways I have to respect that poster on the other thread more than a lot of other people for having the guts to go with something personal and has meaning to her rather than merely conforming to everyone else and picking something that thousands of other children have and doesn't mark it as special.

Its less about the fact that its unique and more that there has obviously been some lovely personal thought that's gone into it. Its a name that's different but it certainly doesn't offend either and I can't see any negative connotations or associations with it. Plus you aren't going to get any serial killers with the same name! I hope that the kid grows up to realise that about her name rather than it being a bit of a joke or the subject of snobbery.

I think like weddings, we are too quick to just go along with the crowd and other people's preferences and expectations in order to keep the peace or keep others happy when we name children rather than what our hearts might love if given truly free choice about what to do. Yes children have to live with that every day, but I do think its possible to go 'out there' and perhaps its actually everyone else who should think about their reactions to unusual names and what that says about them rather than judging the child or the parents on the basis of that name. Naming snobbery only continues because a certain percentage of the population buy into it. If people weren't quite so desperate to ensure their child didn't stand out then there wouldn't be quite the same peaks of popular names and there would be a lot more diversity that people would be much more accepting of.

Ultimately taste is not something everyone shares and name do come and go. And have to start somewhere. They aren't just born from nothing to become normal and commonplace instantly.