I live in a [name_m]French[/name_m] part of [name_f]Canada[/name_f], and it is my mother tongue. It is important to me that my children have [name_m]French[/name_m] names (or at least pronounceable in [name_m]French[/name_m]). However, having a uniquely [name_m]French[/name_m] name that’s not pronounceable in English, I want their names to be easy to pronounce and understand in English as well.
So basically, I would like your opinion on whether or not these names are pronounceable / usable in the English language. I’d also love if you could tell me your opinion of them! In [name_m]French[/name_m], we use accents, so I wrote the names how I’d spell them (which means the links probably won’t work) but feel free to suggest alternate spellings or other ideas you’d think are similar to my list!
[name_u]Adrien[/name_u] - definitely usable.
Aldéric - this might be problematic, but it’s nice. [name_m]Henry[/name_m] Alderic came to mind for a combination.
[name_m]Amaury[/name_m] - it’s usable, but I prefer [name_u]Emory[/name_u]/[name_u]Emery[/name_u] or [name_u]Avery[/name_u].
[name_m]Benoit[/name_m] - In [name_f]Canada[/name_f] it might not be too bad, because of [name_u]Chris[/name_u] [name_m]Benoit[/name_m], the wrestler, but outside of [name_f]France[/name_f] and [name_f]Canada[/name_f], it would cause some problems I think.
Cédric - Definitely usable, [name_m]Robert[/name_m] Pattinson played a [name_m]Cedric[/name_m] in [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m].
[name_m]Dax[/name_m] - I dislike this personally, but there’s an actor named [name_m]Dax[/name_m], so I would say it works well.
Éliam - I prefer [name_m]Liam[/name_m], but it’s not too bad.
Emeric - nice, and a bit unusual, but can definitely work.
Érik - I know an [name_m]Erik[/name_m], it’s definitely usable here.
Frédérik - easily usable in English.
[name_m]Henric[/name_m] / [name_m]Henrik[/name_m] - definitely usable, though I prefer [name_m]Henri[/name_m]/[name_m]Henry[/name_m].
Jaël - this would likely cause some problems. Is it said similarly to [name_m]Joel[/name_m]?
Jérémie - definitely usable.
Loïc - I’m not sure how to say this one myself, so I’m going to say no.
[name_m]Luka[/name_m] - definitely easy to read & say.
[name_m]Mathis[/name_m] - the ‘th’ might cause a few slip ups.
Sébastien - well known in English as [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], but should be ok.
I love all of your list! [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] names, all of them. I particularly like [name_u]Adrien[/name_u], [name_m]Benoit[/name_m], and [name_u]Luca[/name_u].
I’m from Pennsylvania, and I will just jot a note how I, as a native english-speaker, would pronounce each one. They all seem suitable for English usage to me.
@LawsonHaley : Thank you again for your help! [name_u]Chris[/name_u] [name_m]Benoit[/name_m] didn’t turn out too well with the whole murder-suicide thing, so I worry that they’ll associate that with the name. Though it’s my last name and I don’t get the reference too often. Jaël is Jah-[name_f]Ell[/name_f] (soft J) and Loïc is Lo-Ick Thanks for your opinion!
No problem! [name_m]Alexandre[/name_m] happens to be a favourite [name_m]French[/name_m] name of mine, [name_m]Alexandre[/name_m] [name_m]Benoit[/name_m] sounds lovely, if you need suggestions
Aw, that’s too bad! I love the two together. [name_m]Henry[/name_m]/[name_m]Henri[/name_m]/[name_m]Henrik[/name_m] would sound nice with [name_m]Benoit[/name_m] too though
[name_m]Benoit[/name_m] is actually my maiden name, but I was worried it would be too difficult to pronounce in English!
Thanks for your opinion!