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Baby names

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

Original poster

Genevieve

43 replies

endofthelinefinally · 07/08/2017 18:50

Baby will be half French, half English.
Is Genevieve horribly outdated in France now?
I like it but I am not French.

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Backhometothenorth · 07/08/2017 19:22

Love it

Pleasemrstweedie · 07/08/2017 19:30

It's classic. I like it.

iklboo · 07/08/2017 19:32

That's lovely.

ZenNudist · 07/08/2017 19:33

Bit fussy imo.

She will get called jenny or jen. You could champion viv as nn

Mulch · 07/08/2017 19:34

I like it, ginny for short

newusernamefornow · 07/08/2017 19:35

I went to school with a Genevieve. She hated it at the time and was known as Jenna but loves the name now AFAIK. I think it's lovely - elegant & unusual!

May50 · 07/08/2017 19:35

I love love love that name. But pronounced different French and English if that would be a problem? Something that works in both languages without change in pronounciation- e.g. Eloise, elodie?

64PooLane · 07/08/2017 19:48

Love it. Elegant for an adult but with lots of nn potential if she wants that as a young girl.

mathanxiety · 07/08/2017 19:52

Are you familiar with the 'Madeline' books by Ludwig Bemelmans? Genevieve is the 'noblest dog on France'.

mathanxiety · 07/08/2017 19:53

in France...

mathanxiety · 07/08/2017 19:53

in France...

ScarletForYa · 07/08/2017 19:53

Gorgeous.

HereBeFuckery · 07/08/2017 19:53

We nearly called DD that, and she's not even a wee bit French.
She came out huge and hefty though, so we thought it might be a bit odd, and changed our minds. Grin

Original poster
endofthelinefinally · 07/08/2017 19:54

Yes. It would gave to be something that works in both languages and has shortened/nick names that work in both. Jenny and Ginny are favoured.
I have always liked the name and the English side all like it.
A couple of French friends have said it is considered a bit old fashioned though. (A bit like Phyllis apparently. Hmm ) Sometimes old fashioned can be ok?

OP posts:
HainaultViaNewburyPark · 07/08/2017 19:55

I'd pronounce it differently in French and English. Is that likely to cause problems?

2014newme · 07/08/2017 19:58

Like

Original poster
endofthelinefinally · 07/08/2017 20:01

The two pronunciations wouldnt be a problem.
It is more the worry about teasing if it isnt considered a nice/ appropriate choice in France.
I am only an Aunty, so not really up to me, but my opinion was sought and I really love the name.
I will see if any more feedback comes from the French side.
Thanks for your thoughts.

OP posts:
Original poster
endofthelinefinally · 07/08/2017 20:03

Oh. Not sure about the dog reference...

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Herefortheduration · 07/08/2017 20:07

One of my best friends, French Canadian pronounced in the French way gets Gene mostly. I like it with the English way but always sounds wrong in some way, lol

Decaffstilltastesweird · 07/08/2017 20:42

Lovely!

SuperBeagle · 07/08/2017 20:47

Love it, hate Gen/Genny/Genna.

If I could make Gigi work as a shortening, I would've used it myself.

Scribblegirl · 07/08/2017 20:48

I love it but can't comment on its popularity in France. Sadly my sister is one of the shortnings mentioned above so rules it out Sad

user1497557435 · 07/08/2017 21:00

Love it - wanted to call my first born that but DH vetoed it

Singingforsanity · 07/08/2017 21:23

Love the French pronunciation, hate the English pronunciation, would probably use it if I lived in France!

ohherewegoagain · 07/08/2017 21:27

Nice name, but I constantly get the spelling wrong.