what girls' names do the French middle classes turn their noses up at?

[NatureAbhorsAHoover]

What would the haute bourgeoisie think of as a tacky/trashy name for a baby girl? I speak french but have no idea what sounds déclassé to a French ear.

Not looking to vilify; am interested in the tonal sounds, themes and signifiers that surely exist just as much in France as here?

There was a girl in my northern high school called Chantal who used to pick her nose all the time. Put me right off.

On the bono front I giveyou Cosima and Zéphyr...

DS was at school with a Capucine. I just kept thinking capuchin monkey 🐒.

Oooh. Have just realised I know some Bobos. Thanks MN for all that you teach us

Chantal is the epitome of déclassé in Germany, amusingly, along with Jacqueline. It seems to be French names for girls and English ones for boys (Kevin and Justin ('Chastin') are the most-cited ones).

No - Chantal is not considered 'chic' at all.
I'm also told on good authority that Tabitha and Samantha have connotations of prostitution! Kevin also considered déclassé in France. Charles is what one's footman might be called.

Though this is full on upper class opinion, not Bobo.

What about Mousseline? Always liked the sound of that.

Chardonnay?

Has anyone ever met a Babette?
As a word, I really like the sound of it, but I could never use it as a name as it is too cutesy.

I know a "Babette" in her 50s' but it's her "nickname" her real name is Elisabeth.

As for mousseline, honestly, it just makes me think of "purée mousseline" which is sort of the equivalent of smash instant mash potatoes. It's also the name for a material, I think it's muslin in English?

I agree that Chantel(le) is very declassé here.

On the bobo side, I also know a Hippolyte.

At a recent wedding, I realised that at my table I was the only one without a double prénom, I can remember Marie-Sixtine, Pierre-Louis, André-Hugues, Jean-Edouard and Marie-Hortense. I felt a bit naked with only one name ...

Tabitha was the name of France's best known porn star so that's what it means to DH men of a certain age. And yes he lolled at Mousseline, definitely potatoes.

I've taught a Babette but she was from French-speaking Africa where name fashions are rather different.

Mousline

Sounds like a baby mouse.

I have, sadly, nothing to add - but what a fascinating thread!

Apparently Eleanor is a fairly posh-sounding name (according to French friends - not French myself, so prepared to be shot down here)

Brilliant thread.

Yes Eléonore or even better Aliénor is posh. Mousseline means chiffon, BTW.

Jean-Edouard lol pimmsy, not of Loana and swimming pool fame I hope! Poshest boy I ever taught was Valéry-Philippe. I also taught an Adélaïde-Philippine.

What about Pierette?

Old fashioned, working class.

There was some criminal expert quoted here in Germany as saying "Kevin ist keine Name sondern ein Begriff" meaning Kevin is not a name but a byword or concept. Implying those with the name usually end up some sort of trouble .Chantal would be considered much the same.

Very interesting thread. My favourite girls names in French are Hortense and Eugénie. I think those might be quite old fashioned (but so are my DD's English names.)

Dd is called Sylvie which doesn’t appear to be very common in the UK but someone once told me it’s the equivalent of someone being called a name like Sharon or Karen in France I’d love to know if this is true?

A classmate at my rather posh prep, years and years ago, was a Fleur - have always liked it. Where would that sit in France nowadays?

How about a really popular English name, like Oliver? Do the French import names positively? Or are they all a bit 'Chardonnay'?