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Original poster

Name regret, WDYT of this name?

205 replies

Finnemoo · 13/04/2020 15:38

Hi everyone,

We chose an unusual name for our daughter mostly because I've always loved it (and still do). My husband really liked it too but was wary about pronunciation in the UK. It's a French name, and we do have a French connection.

He was right Sad

She's 8 months old now and she does suit the name, but no one here says it right and I'm finding that more grating than I thought I would.

Her name is Anouk. Pronounced "ah-NOOK", nook rhymes with Luke.

Be honest: is she going to hate us for it? What do you think of the name and how would you say it?

I don't know why I'm posting this because it's too late to change it anyway, but maybe someone will have something nice to say to cheer me up. I do still really love the name in theory but I'm just worried that the pronunciation thing will be a pain for her forever. I didn't really think it would prove to be so problematic.

Thanks and I hope you're all doing well.

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Hannah021 · 13/04/2020 16:07

Not for me... If your circle is getting it wrong as adults, i'm sure kids wont find it easier... Maybe find it another one.

I too would have pronounced it correctly...

Pinkginhelps · 13/04/2020 16:10

It's pretty. Stop worrying..if she doesn't like it, she'll abbreviate it.

SunshineCake · 13/04/2020 16:11

Imo the Ah-nook sound is like nook and cranny so less graceful. Ah-nuke is more mysterious and interesting.

Don't change it. Everyone can pronounce my name but when I was younger I had to spell it out a fair but. Tbh I just though they were thick as it was a very easy phonetically sounded name, albeit with 7 letters.

Appiandterri · 13/04/2020 16:12

Haha see for me book and luke rhyme

And cook according to my dear departed nana Smile

OP it’s a lovely name. There definitely won’t be 3 of them in her class.

NameChange30 · 13/04/2020 16:13

We are a French/English bilingual family (DH is French and I'm fluent) so I know how to pronounce Anouk. I wouldn't be my choice (just not a fan) but I don't hate it either. However, it would bother me when people got it wrong. In fact I'm pregnant with a girl and having difficulty shortlisting names because of the pronunciation challenges in one of the two languages!

It's not actually too late to change the name if you want to. You can change it before baby's first birthday and they'll reissue the birth certificate. Do you have another name in mind that you prefer? Would you use the middle name as a first or something else? Is there another name that you think would suit her better?

isitorisntit · 13/04/2020 16:14

I would pronounce it as Anne-ook (rhymes with book). But correct me once and I'd not get it wrong again.

I went to school with an Alycia and no one ever said her name correctly. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/04/2020 16:14

I’m not keen tbh.

elizabell · 13/04/2020 16:14

Lovely name - I have come across it a few times so would have no issue pronouncing it. If people aren't familiar with it they'll only need telling once.

crabette · 13/04/2020 16:16

I love it, also remember it from Chocolat!

And would also pronounce it Ah-nook like book or Luke... which I'd say have the same pronunciation 🙈

user3274826 · 13/04/2020 16:17

I've always thought it was a beautiful name. I'm really surprised so many people are struggling with pronunciation, surely most adults in the UK did french in school and have some basic grasp of French names and pronunciation. I also don't understand how anyone can say it sounds clunky or whatever a couple of comments have said. It's just so pretty and pleasant sounding to me. Please done change it. I'd just correct people 'rhymes with Luke' as that might stick in their minds more.

RuaBeag · 13/04/2020 16:18

Adore

BikeRunSki · 13/04/2020 16:18

I love it! There was one in a baby group I went to with DD 8 years ago abd I thought it was lovely then too.

NameChange30 · 13/04/2020 16:19

"surely most adults in the UK did french in school and have some basic grasp of French names and pronunciation."

Hahaha no.
Most English people massacre anything but the most well known, obvious and easy French words and names.
I have ruled out Anais because although it's beautiful when pronounced properly, many English people would pronounce it "An-ay".

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 13/04/2020 16:19

It's not for me but I dont dislike it. It has several shortenings if she wants to use them in her teens or if you want to give her a little nickname and it's not way out there. It's an actual name after all, people call their kids some weird things, Anouk isnt even close to being a questionable name. It's nice, OP, dont second guess yourself.

dragonicicle · 13/04/2020 16:21

It's a lovely name although as a french speaker it's definitely a-nook (like book) in France -sorry! If you don't like the pronunciation I'd probably consider changing it.

DC3dilemma · 13/04/2020 16:22

Book and Luke sound exactly the same in Scotland. That is, we say Luke and Look exactly the same.

I think you are getting at preferring an pronounced ew sound, like nuke?

In any case, it’s a lovely name, but I think you do have to accept variation in the way people will pronounce these sounds as there’s no over-arching right or wrong. This is the case for lots of names. Say it how you want to say it, and make a decision as to whether you intend to correct people or not. TBH, I would err on not as the difference here is subtle and about regional accents and sounds.

Rowan -row(your boat)an or row(argue)an
Nadine -NAH-dine or Na-DEEEN

...off the top of my head

TheReluctantCountess · 13/04/2020 16:22

I like it 😊

Mascotte · 13/04/2020 16:23

I really like it but am Scottish and struggling with the niceties of how Luke, book etc are pronounced differently 😂

BumbleBeee69 · 13/04/2020 16:24

it's lovely but I can understand your husbands fear.... the kids I grew up with were cruel... this beautiful name ANouk would have been turned into Nookie before the end of the first day... Hmm

islandofdoom · 13/04/2020 16:26

In my accent the sound of luke and book are very similar. I do love the name but would probably say it the wrong way with the book sound.

BacklashStarts · 13/04/2020 16:26

I really like it and would have pronounced it how you said, but when I say the two out loud they aren’t too different.

covidconundrum · 13/04/2020 16:28

If you really don't like it you can change it. My mother changed my first name. You'll get a few raised eyebrows but better that than regret

Original poster
Finnemoo · 13/04/2020 16:31

Not like nuke (nyewk), like Luke (loook). Everyone's accents are so different aren't they!

Yes, in a French accent the "oo" is a little shorter, but it's still not quite the same dull, short "uh" sound as in book. (In my accent, anyway.) I am half-French and a fluent speaker.

I think I just need to accept the differences in accents and pronunciations and correct any glaringly wrong ones.

The other names on our list were all English and easy to pronounce, but they've never had quite the same spark to me. Our second choice would have been Nell or Cora, which wouldn't have had this issue!

OP posts:
Fleamaker123 · 13/04/2020 16:31

Beautiful name. I think any name will be mispronounced at some point, taking into account different dialects etc. Don't let a few people put you off a lovely unusual name. (my son has a very middle of the road name and it still gets mispronounced or shortened!)

Original poster
Finnemoo · 13/04/2020 16:32

She suits them all of course which doesn't help!

OP posts: