Long list of names I don't love enough...

[ChesterBelloc]

I'm sorry for the mammoth list!

These are names that I like, but I don't love any of them quite enough, IYSWIM.

Miranda
Kezia
Lydia
Marguerite
Jessica
Imogen
Genevieve
Juliette
Severine
Jeanne-Marie
Melisande
Rosalind
Florence
Magdalene
Vivienne
Mathilde
Valerie
Vanessa
Veronique
Martha
Abigail
Chantal

If anyone can suggest similar names (not too 'pretty' I.e. not too many initial/ending vowels, fairly strong/classic, with a vague French connection), I would be very grateful... or pick those that you particularly like from my long-list.

Can't use Anna, Sophie, Elisabeth, Marianne, Beatrice, Evelyn, Charlotte, Eleanor... and have already asked MN for specifically French suggestions but most were too 'pretty'!

Albertine

I went to school with a Corisande - any good?

I love Mathilde and Severine from your “nearly” list.

Hmm, the initial C is a bit hard to my ear, and it has an 'r' sound... I told you I was ridiculously fussy.

Opinions on Emanuelle?

Emmanuelle is soft porn to me, it works ok in France.

It wouldn't be to her own generation, though, right? And I'm 39, and it was a bit before my time also.

What about Therese or Marie-Therese?

I went to school with one and no pronunciation problems.

I already have an Anna Therese, but thank you!

I love Juliette.

What about Carmen?

Vivienne is lovely

Eloise

Dominique
Helene
Adele
Ines
Margaux
Sasha

My newest niece has just claimed Vivienne as her second name, so at least that's one I can cross off my list!

I do like Sacha, both for a boy and a girl...🤔 Not sure it goes with my other daughters' names tho.

You don't like the way the English pronounce R's?! Have I read that right? 😂😂 Are you English yourself?

I have a Margot and I adore that name. I also love Esmée.

I am English, yes. (Husband is half-French.)

I just find the English 'r' sound lacking in grace and beauty although I do randomly like Rowan, for either sex... but mostly, I think it sounds inelegant in English, compared to French, Italian, Spanish etc. I know, I'm highly unreasonable!

Am going back to Melisande... but don't like Mel for a nickname Or what about Philomel..?

Esme is a bit too pretty for my tastes... and I think my accent is too 'posh' to get away with Margot (tho I like it), without sounding like she of The Good Life!

Colette
Eugenie / Eugenia
Lavinia
Jenna / Genna
Florette
Zinna
Zilla
Patricia

Rowan sounds like Rouen in French.