Remedios

[tspika]

Remedios for a daughter's first name – any thoughts?

Where do you live, OP?

Remedios is neither traditional or well established in the UK. It would be a very unusual (likely "yoonique") name here.

StitchesInTime – We're split between London and somewhere far away, so there's always going to be a culture clash. I know it's not in the top 10 anywhere, but it's very traditionally Catholic and parallels several similar marian names in the family to this day, so would result in some delighted church-going grandparents and aunties. (Plus, I quite like Remedios Varo's work, but that's not really a factor at all. Just a nice bonus, in case the kid fancies taking up painting one day.)

To be honest, most of our friends' kids have names that have never appeared on any names lists and are quite "yoonique", so in real life I think this one would raise eyebrows for being an actual name!

Not sure why you asked if you aren't actually interested in the opinions?

In English it's a fairly ugly sounding word and also very like a rather horrible slang word children have in the past used to mean 'stupid'.

MyKingdomForBrie — I'm absolutely interested in the opinions, or I wouldn't have asked. I'm reasonably sure I can predict the opinions of family and friends, but I was curious to see what other people thought.

I obviously don't find it ugly in English at all, and no horrible slang was similar to it in my childhood, so it's of course really interesting to hear from people who've different experiences and opinions.

Is this a joke?

it's absolutely awful. and for a girl! out of them millions of lovely girls names out there...

Louis de Bernieres had a pretty good character called Remedios but the name doesn't work in England.

Ugly name. Why did you name change half way through the thread?

I don't think Remedios works well as a girl's name in the UK. No idea whether it does in your somewhere far away.

Behooven — Typo.

Op just listen. The name is terrible. Sounds horrible. She will be spelling it every single time she uses it. People will not know if it's a man or woman's name. She will be teased at school. What more do you want? Which other argument do you need? Wake up please please it's a terrible name.

I prefer Remei "reh-MAY"

Thank you again, everyone! I'll read your notes out to my husband when we're next debating names. It's brilliant that you're all so passionate about it.

Dreadful. A cross between a spell and remedial. If you're already so pleased with your choice why ask?

Ugly imo. Makes me think of chalky tablets or thick-soled shoes or something.

MissBattleaxe — We're of course pleased with all the ideas we've come up with so far, or we wouldn't be considering them. But as I wrote earlier, I was curious to see what other people thought; it's been great getting everyone's opinions, as I've said.

First thought was Remedial. Not good!

Will you be using the full Maria de ... Or just remedios? Stand alone it isn't really my taste. When using names from Spanish, I would prefer those which worked a little better (to my ears) in English such as Roser, Marta or Carlotta.

But none of these opinions would make you consider changing your mind?

OP really try to think of the child's future, it's not about you liking it, it's about her liking it and feeling good and comfortable and not shit about it

It sounds ugly. Eyebrows would be raised even in Spain.

How about Purifacion?

rosieliveson1 — Nope, it would be without the "María de los" bit, matching similarly named relatives (those in recent generations, at least…before that, everyone was María!)

MissBattleaxe — Nothing here's made me want to strike it off the list, no. (We've struck loads off the list so far…but we keep finding new ones to add. It's so much fun.)

AnotherTimeMaybe — We're absolutely thinking of our child's future in about seventeen thousand different ways each day, of course. We're not setting out to make our child feel shit. We're just contemplating names we might be using months and months from now, because it's fascinating and we're really excited. It's really sweet that so many people are so concerned about an unborn stranger, though!

elQuintoConyo — Beyond those of our pretty conservative families, I don't think we can worry too much about eyebrows!

Thanks again, everyone! It was great hearing your thoughts and I promise we'll re-read them if the name's still in the running.

This is the strangest baby name thread I have ever read.

Lots of Spanish names work really badly in English. My favourite Spanish girl's name is Esperanza, but I don't think I could ever have used it in the UK.

When dealing with two cultures, I do think it's nice to try for a name that works in both. Honestly, I'd consider adding the Maria de los to the name, so she could use Maria/Mari in the UK as an alternative.

"We're not setting out to make our child feel shit."

Nope, but you'll be doing it inadvertently if you call your daughter Remedios. She will hate you for this, seriously.