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.
[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
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.
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.