Candide?

Girl Names
1

I’m in love with [name_u]Candide[/name_u]. I find it beautiful, with such a cheerful, upbeat sound. It honors a [name_f]Candace[/name_f], and the association with the Voltaire novel doesn’t hurt.

But I’m worried that [name_u]Candide[/name_u] is a bit of a problematic name. I feel [name_f]Candida[/name_f], while pretty, is too associated with the fungus to be usable. And I kind of think [name_u]Candide[/name_u] is in the same boat. The name is unusual enough that that association might be the first thing people jump to. I also really, really detest the [name_f]Candy[/name_f] nickname. ([name_u]Andy[/name_u], however, is adorable, and would be a nice nod to my mother.)

Is the name usable? Is it even a good name? Right now, it’s my favorite girls’ name, but that will probably change in a day or two and I want to know what to do with it when it does.

All opinions are appreciated!

2

I didn’t even think of the fungus until you mentioned it, but that’s probably just me so I honestly have no clue if the association would be problematic. My first thought was “candid”. Not my style, but I think it’s usable! Whether or not it has a place on your list/whether or not you should look into it more all depends on how much the potential association bothers YOU.

3

I thought of candida as soon as I saw it.

4

[name_f]Candida[/name_f] is yeasty, but [name_u]Candide[/name_u] is gorgeous!

5

It’s not usable [name_f]IMO[/name_f]. I immediately thought of candida.

6

[name_m]Way[/name_m] too close to candida for comfort, though interestingly [name_f]Candida[/name_f] itself is used as a name among the British peerage to this day!

Also, the character of [name_u]Candide[/name_u] is male, so it strikes me as a bit of an odd choice for a girl.

7

I also immediately thought of [name_f]Candida[/name_f].

8

I immediately thought that it might be problematic because of Voltaire’s [name_u]Candide[/name_u] - it would be seen as making a big philosophical statement, or perhaps even as an attempt to heap the rather negative lesson of the book onto your child’s shoulders (don’t be optimistic!). But maybe I only have these associations because I did a stint in a [name_m]French[/name_m] lycée - certainly not all anglophones would make the connection. I wouldn’t have thought of the fungus, but I’m not terribly clued-up in that area, so I’m not the one to ask on that.

9

It’s a masculine name, [name_u]Candide[/name_u] ou l’Optimise from Voltaire.

10

[name_u]Candide[/name_u], the story, strikes me as kind of a negative association, personally. That’s why I wouldn’t be keen on using it.

Would you consider using [name_f]Candace[/name_f] itself to honor your person?

11

I thought of [name_f]Candida[/name_f] as well, sorry.

13

I thought of the fungus, but also the word “candied”. I don’t think [name_f]Candida[/name_f] or [name_u]Candide[/name_u] are useable.

14

[name_m]Just[/name_m] to say, it is definitely a unisex name - the [name_m]French[/name_m] form of both [name_f]Candida[/name_f] and Candidus. I do think it’s a very charming name if you put aside all the awkward associations.

15

Definitely a fungus name…

16

Well, I’m from [name_f]France[/name_f], and it’s only masculine in my country. As a girl name, we have plenty of Candices.

17

I immediately thought of [name_f]Candida[/name_f].

Here’s some other ideas for honoring [name_f]Candace[/name_f]:

[name_f]Acantha[/name_f]
[name_f]Candela[/name_f]
[name_f]Cantara[/name_f]
[name_f]Cantrelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Cara[/name_f]
Or if you’re bold, [name_u]Canyon[/name_u].