Name regret, WDYT of this name?

[Finnemoo]

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

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.

It's lovely, my first guess at pronunciation would also be the correct way.

Nell or Cora also lovely

Anowk is how I'd pronounce it. Can you change the spelling by deed poll? Anook is lovely x

Why would you change the spelling? It’d make the child look idiotic. It’s spelled Anouk and is a well known name.

I pronounced it correctly in my head, if it helps. I don't personally like the name, but I think it's fairly easily pronounced.

Why would you change the spelling? It’d make the child look idiotic.

How would a child being named anything make the child look idiotic? Kids don't name themselves, you know.

Beautiful name!

It’s a lovely name that you chose, Finnemoo. I know how to pronounce it. I am always amazed at how often people get names wrong. (Perhaps not everyone is as mad about names as I am!) It’s a commonplace occurrence; don’t let it get to you. If it’s any consolation, think pp is right - at school, her friends won’t struggle at all to get it right. They will have no preconceived notions about names whatsoever. I knew an Annik (also a great name) who got A-nick as well as Annique pronunciations and it didn’t seem to bother her at all. She was gorgeous and very cool.

I would pronounce it exactly as it's supposed to be. It's not hard .

Yeah book and Luke sound the same

Wait, ive now read page two.
Luke and book are pronounced the same Im Scottish.

I absolutely love it and would pronounce it the same way too.

it doesn't sound French it is French, you wally.

I'd bet book and Luke don't rhyme for more people than they do. Accents vary! Clearly for the OP they don't. It's not that hard.

I have a great friend called Anouk - rhymes with book. Great name, and she is one of the funniest people I know. Don't change it!

I love it

It’s lovely, I would pronounce exactly as you said

As you've pointed out, the french pronunciation is neither Luke nor book and will never be replicated by the majority of English people. That's just a hazard of having a non English name in England.
Personally I think the English accent ruins most french names, the popularity of Amelie has puzzled me since it never sounds as beautiful as it does in french.
However Anouk is a really beautiful name. Don't sweat it.

Can you change the spelling by deed poll? Anook is lovely x

Hahaha OMG what a suggestion - please don't do this!

I always thought it was a nn for Anoushka - you live and learn!

I like it and think it's very easy to pronounce. I would keep it and just keep correcting people. I don't think it's too late to change if you really want to as my friend changed her girls name at 18 months but anouk is lovely.

I pronounced it correctly when I first saw it- not sure how it could sound like book when it has a U In it- is it people reading it out getting it wrong then like at appointments or is it people don't see it written but forget?

I'm not too keen but if you're french and it's that origin it's perfect.
By all means it's not an awful/ bad name like some you see/ hear!

I wouldn't change it if you like it.

Thanks all, we’re def keeping it So pleased that I’m just overthinking things, and that people know older Anouks who rock the name.

I’ve never met another, even though it’s quite popular in France, so that might be affecting my view of its unfamiliarity a bit, as people often seem a bit taken aback or confused by it here. I was surprised by that as I thought it was more well known, even if not often used over here. But hopefully we’ve just been unlucky and she won’t find that.

Anouk is such a sweet name, and mostly people will be introduced to her by name and hear how it's said. It isn't a difficult word and I think the majority of people would pronounce it properly, although in some regions they might shorten the end vowel in the way you've described (in my home country of Yorkshire for one!). Just stick with it. She's a baby. People will get it as she grows up.

it's both cool and sweet - enjoy :)

i LOVE that name, unique but not weird. I’m adding it to my own list now hahah. I’m sure she will be glad to have an unusual name when she’s older - too many sophie’s and mias