Hello everyone!
So we’re having a baby girl May 2022 and my husband and I have been racking our brains trying to find a name we both love. We both want a chic, not too fussy, name that can be pronounced in France and Canada (Ontario). The names we like so far are Celestine, Jane (not French but simple and strong), Justine (my sisters name which of course I love), and Odette. Names we had on our list but have been taken off were Emanuelle/Emanuella, Celine, Olivia/Alivia, Jolie, and Isabella.
I read so many forums about French baby girl names and found the results to be quite interesting. For example, some people mentioned names ending in “ette” aren’t very fashionable in France right now (or at least they weren’t when the forum was posted). Also, the name “Jolie” would never be used in France. I didn’t know this at all but people from France or people who live in France mentioned stuff like that more then once. The insight was helpful.
We have time but I’d be super appreciative of any other name recommendations. Or, if you can comment on the names on our current list that would be helpful. Right now I’m leaning towards Justine for the obvious reason that it’s my sisters name but also because it’s very sleek and simple (no nickname and easy to pronounce, very chic and strong). I love names like Audrey and Juliette but just think they’re way too popular.
Thank you in advance for your time and help! Looking forward to getting inspired.
Congratulations! You’ve got some great names on your list, and I’m wondering if you’d like [name_f]Odessa[/name_f]? She feels similar to [name_f]Odette[/name_f] to me! [name_f]Odessa[/name_f] [name_f]Justine[/name_f] would be so pretty, strong, and chic!
What about,
[name_f]Amelie[/name_f]
[name_u]Camille[/name_u]
[name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_f]Elise[/name_f]
[name_f]Mathilde[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]My[/name_f] favourite of your list is [name_f]Juliette[/name_f], although it is very popular. There are just so many nn possibilities, [name_u]Jules[/name_u], [name_u]Julie[/name_u], [name_f]Ettie[/name_f]
Congratulations for your pregnancy! I live in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] and I have family in [name_f]France[/name_f] so I have been looking for names that works in both culture for a while.
Some of the names I will suggest are in fashion in [name_u]French[/name_u] speaking communities in [name_f]Canada[/name_f], while others are more in fashion in [name_f]France[/name_f] at the moment (I will indicate which ones).
[name_f]Justine[/name_f] : common in both cultures
[name_f]Celeste[/name_f]: a little bit more common than [name_f]Celestine[/name_f], but still unique
[name_f]Delphine[/name_f] : in fashion in [name_f]Canada[/name_f], outdated in [name_f]France[/name_f]
[name_f]Elodie[/name_f]: in fashion in [name_f]Canada[/name_f], outdated in [name_f]France[/name_f]
[name_f]Marianne[/name_f]: not in fashion or outdated in either cultures
[name_f]Estelle[/name_f]: not in fashion or outdated in either cultures
[name_f]Eloise[/name_f]: common in both cultures
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]: common in both cultures
[name_u]Jade[/name_u]: common in both cultures
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]: common in both cultures
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]: common in both cultures
[name_f]Chloe[/name_f]: common in both cultures
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] : common in both cultures
[name_f]Elise[/name_f] or [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]: common in both cultures
I wish you the best of luck to find the perfect name for your little girl!
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[name_f]Joie[/name_f]
[name_f]Odile[/name_f]
[name_f]Aimée[/name_f]
[name_u]Camille[/name_u]
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]
Cloé
[name_f]Delphine[/name_f]
Délia
Émilienne
Emy/Emmy
[name_f]Fleur[/name_f]
Florentine/Florentina
[name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f]
[name_f]Geneviève[/name_f]
[name_f]Chanel[/name_f]
[name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Louna[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucie[/name_f]
Magalie
Maïa
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f]
[name_f]Margaux[/name_f]
[name_f]Michèle[/name_f]
[name_f]Noémie[/name_f]
[name_u]Pascale[/name_u]
[name_f]Perle[/name_f]
[name_f]Renée[/name_f]
[name_f]Justine[/name_f] is pretty (like you, I’m biased. It’s my mum’s name and it features in my fave book, Frankenstein). [name_f]Celestine[/name_f] is gorgeous too!!
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Delphine[/name_f], [name_f]Adele[/name_f], [name_f]Lisette[/name_f], [name_f]Roxanne[/name_f], [name_f]Melina[/name_f] and [name_f]Constance[/name_f] came to mind too
I’m currently living and teaching in [name_f]France[/name_f] so I’ll try to help!
[name_f]Justine[/name_f] sounds a bit dated to my American ears but I have a student with the name so it’s still in use, although it looks like the name peaked in the early 90s in [name_f]France[/name_f]. I don’t know of any kids with the other names. I adore [name_f]Odette[/name_f] but come to think of it, I don’t have any students with -ette names so it might be dated. I have a hard time wrapping my head around [name_f]Jane[/name_f] in [name_u]French[/name_u] because the J would be pronounced differently.
Some of my favorite [name_u]French[/name_u] names or names I’ve heard while here:
[name_u]Léonie[/name_u]
Cléo
[name_f]Sidonie[/name_f]
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f]
Maëva
[name_f]Léna[/name_f]
[name_f]Adèle[/name_f]
[name_f]Lilou[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Héloïse[/name_f]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
Améline
[name_f]Roxane[/name_f]
[name_u]Jade[/name_u]
[name_f]Louna[/name_f]
[name_f]Salomé[/name_f]
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some names of french friends of mine I really like:
[name_f]Fanny[/name_f], [name_f]Maude[/name_f], [name_f]Océane[/name_f], [name_f]Margaux[/name_f], Solène, [name_f]Louna[/name_f]
franch names I like:
[name_u]Fayette[/name_u], [name_f]Lilou[/name_f], [name_f]Lucie[/name_f], [name_f]Anais[/name_f], [name_f]Anouk[/name_f], [name_f]Estelle[/name_f]
Elize, Clemence, Manon, Amelie, Aurelie, Ysabeau, Yvaine, Oriane
I have a friend in [name_f]France[/name_f] who recently had a baby (Celeste) and when we were batting names around she did mentioned that the "ette’ names, which I love, are deemed old-fashioned over there. It wouldn’t matter to me though. I also love [name_f]Ondine[/name_f] but wouldn’t want [name_f]Deenie[/name_f] as a nn.
Also, [name_f]Fabienne[/name_f] is very sweet and Faby is a cute nn.
[name_f]My[/name_f] cousin was looking for a name that bridged cultures, and living in Montreal, they needed something that worked perfectly in [name_f]English[/name_f] & [name_u]French[/name_u]. They choose [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] which is perfection I think! Her middle name is [name_f]Jane[/name_f] (family name)
If [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] isn’t your cup of tea, why not:
[name_f]Marianne[/name_f]
[name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f]
[name_f]Ophelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Elise[/name_f]
[name_f]Elodie[/name_f]
[name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Anne[/name_u]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Celine[/name_f]
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f]
[name_f]Antonine[/name_f]
[name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] “Genie”
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] “Evie”
[name_f]Raphaelle[/name_f]
[name_u]Marie[/name_u]
[name_f]Noelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
(sorry for repeats!)
Out of [name_f]Jane[/name_f], [name_f]Odette[/name_f] & [name_f]Celestine[/name_f], I like [name_f]Jane[/name_f] (but it doesn’t really work in French!). Next choice would be [name_f]Celestine[/name_f]. [name_f]Justine[/name_f] is nice, but wouldn’t it be a bit confusing having [name_f]Justine[/name_f] the daughter and [name_f]Justine[/name_f] the sister? I would keep [name_f]Justine[/name_f] for the middle name.
Thank you!! Yes, we like [name_f]Odessa[/name_f] but not sure we love is as much as [name_f]Odette[/name_f]! I really appreciate the suggestion!!
Yes! Still love [name_f]Juliette[/name_f] but worry about her being 1 of 4 in her class. Thank you for the great list. I’ve always loved [name_f]Amelie[/name_f] but feel like it won’t be pronounced properly in [name_f]Canada[/name_f].
We LOVE this kind of insight. Thank you. This helps a lot.
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Thank you!!! LOVE [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] but I get very hung up on nicknames and don’t love Genny/Jenny. I’m sure there are other nicknames but I’ve always said if I don’t love the obvious nickname then it’s a no go for me. But also love [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]!
I love that!! That’s a book I’ve had on my “to read” list for a long time.
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Thank you!! Yes, [name_f]Justine[/name_f] definitely peaked in the 80’s and 90’s. I also love [name_f]Odette[/name_f] but sometimes think it sounds a little folksy (then again she’s the good swan in [name_u]Swan[/name_u] [name_u]Lake[/name_u] which is beautiful). I’m constantly siking myself out with names. I need to chill lol.
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Ok, I kind love [name_f]Maude[/name_f] but husband does not. I love [name_f]Solene[/name_f] as well but I don’t think a lot of people in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] will say it properly. Thank you!!
Thank you!! I really love [name_f]Clemence[/name_f] but again, I know in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] it won’t be pronounced properly :(. [name_u]Or[/name_u] at least not in [name_m]Ontario[/name_m].
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