Bernadette?

I seem to be on a name-acquisition rampage. This one magically popped into my head and, despite my general aversion to B names, I’m in love. It’s the feminine form of [name]Bernard[/name], which I don’t like, and which means something like ‘brave bear.’

So, the questions:

What do you think of this name?

[name]How[/name] are [name]Helena[/name] [name]Valentine[/name] and [name]Gloria[/name] [name]Bernadette[/name] as a sibset?

It sounds a little dated to me. Something about it just screams unattractive to me, I don’t know why. I much prefer the softer-sounding [name]Berenice[/name], but only spelled as Bérénice and pronounced the French way (bay-ray-NEES).
I love [name]Helena[/name] [name]Valentine[/name], not so much in love with [name]Gloria[/name] [name]Bernadette[/name]. [name]Gloria[/name] sounds to me like what [name]Pam[/name] and [name]Linda[/name] might dub a “mom name,” and [name]Bernadette[/name] her fussy grandma. Sorry, I guess it’s just not for me.

I think of [name]Bernadette[/name] from the Big Bang [name]Theory[/name]… cute, blonde, and smart.

I love it! International, timeless but uncommon.

I don’t like it at all. I find the ‘burn’ sound really unappealing.

Not really my style. I knew a [name]Bernadette[/name] in High School though. She was very athletic, had brown hair and freckles.

[name]Bernadette[/name] seems very ‘Irish nun’ to me. I quite like it though, especially in the middle spot. I think [name]Helena[/name] [name]Valentine[/name] and [name]Gloria[/name] [name]Bernadette[/name] are very well-balanced and well-weighted in terms of length, flow and aesthetics. Good sibset :slight_smile:

Sounds like a name my dad would like (along with [name]Roxanne[/name], [name]Ingrid[/name]).

I don’t mind it. It’s a quirky sort of cute and I could see it on the right kid. I do not like the nickname [name]Bernie[/name] at all, so I wouldn’t use it for that reason alone.

See, I have this problem with LOVING old-fashioned, ‘dated’ names. So it doesn’t bother me in the slightest, since I’m really attracted to the vintage feel.

I pronounce [name]Berenice[/name] [name]Burr[/name]-neice, and really don’t like it. It’s clipped and harsh to me.

The funny thing is that I didn’t really like this name at all until yesterday, but the balance of the ‘burn’ sound with the more delicate ‘ette’ works wonders, I’ve found.

I really like it, especially with the nn [name]Benny[/name].

Yeah, I’m pretty fickle, because with names like those I either love them (I adore [name]Agnes[/name], [name]Agatha[/name] etc.) or I hate them. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
As for [name]Berenice[/name], that’s why I could never use it. [name]Even[/name] with the accent aigu I’m afraid people would still pronounce it your way, and I totally agree with you on the American pronunciation.