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Baby names

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

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Original poster

English-French baby boy

44 replies

Lorsee · 15/12/2015 15:56

Hello!
We're having our first in a few weeks' time and I'd love your opinions on our shortlist of names. Dad's French, I'm British, we live in France but go to the UK often. We're not really bothered if the pronunciation differs in English and French (it always does).
So, which one do you prefer for a (hopefully) bilingual boy?
Isaac
Benjamin
Yoann (or Yohan, but the 'h' isn't pronounced)
Jonah
Thank you!

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vdbfamily · 16/12/2015 07:07

My son, DH and his dad are all Johann. It has been fine in the UK and the only people who really struggle with it are bank teachers. When register is called he has been called some odd things and Joanne is a common one! I have a french sister in law and my 2 nephews are Luc and Marc-Etienne. They have grown up in UK and been fine with French names although Marc has drpooed the Etienne but so I guess both names sound totally English really. I love all the names you have shortlisted.

BikeRunSki · 16/12/2015 07:42

There did used to be AnotherEmma. It was started by Napoleon, but hasn't been in force for a long time now. I believe that this why hyphenated names are so popular in France.

ChocChocPorridge · 16/12/2015 07:48

I've always, always loved the name Etienne - I think it'd be fine in the UK (we have much more exotic stuff at DS1's school), but it is totally French.

CalypsoLilt · 16/12/2015 13:06

Oooooh if I could get away with a French name I absolutely love Etienne, then Sebastian.

Original poster

Lorsee · 16/12/2015 14:53

Great, thanks everyone. We really like the names on our shortlist, but other ideas are still helpful - thanks. I think the French authorities did used to be very strict about names you could choose and I believe there was a list you had to choose from. Not anymore though thank goodness!

I've asked the same question, by the way on a French-speaking site, and so far it looks like Benjamin is the "winner". The feedback I've had there about Jonah has been pretty negative! I still love it though, and prefer it to the French version, Jonas. They love Isaac though, although I think that's maybe because it's a lot less popular in France than the UK. Oh well, we'll see...!

OP posts:

myotherusernameisbetter · 16/12/2015 16:53

That's interesting about Jonah Lorsee and I knew I hadn't imagined it about the name list. As far as I can establish, it was in place until 1993 so not exactly eons ago either. It seems that a lot of countries still have a system of having an established list where a name should be chosen from (Iceland, Denmark etc) although most allow parents to apply to use a name not on the list or make allowances for children born to foreign nationals.

Anyway also thought about Sylvester today which may also fit your criteria buts its a bit different maybe from your other choices.

celtictoast · 16/12/2015 17:21

Isaac

Original poster

Lorsee · 16/12/2015 19:30

Sorry what does MC mean here? Hmm.... Yann. what about Yann Barthes on le Petit Journal? He's sexy and intelligent!

OP posts:

waitingforsomething · 16/12/2015 20:26

I know a Couple same as you but they live in England. They have a Bastien

TwistInMySobriety · 16/12/2015 20:53

We had the same dilemma with DS. We went with a Celtic name in the end as a nod to both cultures. Tristan would be a frontrunner for a DS2, if you like that?

Personally I'd expect an Isaac to be Jewish, Old Testament names like that (David, Samuel and so on) are much more associated with Judaism than in the UK. Probably not a problem but something you might beed to be aware of.

And I agree that Yann is pretty classless (mmm, Yann Barthes...). It's generally just a nod to Breton roots.

Quodlibet · 19/12/2015 10:17

On the subject of French / English names, what are thoughts on Claude?

NameChange30 · 19/12/2015 10:58

Don't like Claude, sorry!
DH tells me it's old fashioned in France.
Not that my comments should stop you if you love it!

TwistInMySobriety · 20/12/2015 08:15

God yes Claude is terribly middle aged. Like Alan or Roger or something.

Original poster

Lorsee · 10/05/2017 13:13

Just so you know, we picked Jonah in the end! And it suits him. I can't imagine him as being anything else now. It was hard making the decision at the time though. I certainly wouldn't recommend going to the maternity unit with a few names in mind as we did, thinking we'll look at him and see which one suits him best. I was so overwhelmed after the birth I couldn't choose and in the end ran out of time really as you have to declare the birth in France no later than three days after the baby is born. It was horribly stressful at the time, but now I'm glad I chose Jonah. I like the sound of it in both English and French, the look of it when written, and the meaning. He's almost 15 months now and a very strong-willed and funny little toddler. Thanks again for all your help before he was born xx

OP posts:

Mrsknackered · 10/05/2017 13:48

Yoann. Love it!

If you wanted suggestions Hugo and Emil?

29Palms · 10/05/2017 17:41

Read the OP's latest post.

Susiethetortoiseshellcat · 11/05/2017 06:34

I LOVE Jonah. Can't believe you have you declare name after 3 days though, how stressful!!

Chatelherault · 11/05/2017 20:11

Isaac is my favourite, but I also love Philippe.

What about Louis?

Chatelherault · 11/05/2017 20:12

Ah, just read it - Jonah is beautiful

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