Hubby and I are trying to name our last baby – baby number seven. [name_u]Baby[/name_u] is due in three months and I haven’t added any names to my list this whole pregnancy. I’m kind of stuck on wanting [name_u]Flannery[/name_u] but hubby doesn’t like it.
Then, in church, I recently met an elderly lady named [name_u]Faine[/name_u]. I loved it as soon as I heard it. It is Old English and means joyful. It also feels a bit mythological to me as [name_f]Fay[/name_f] translates to “fey” in my head when I hear it. I also like it because my mother’s middle name is [name_f]Fay[/name_f] so I would have that connection.
I haven’t run it by hubby yet because I want to make sure this isn’t a quick crush. I’ve been sitting on the name for a month now and still like it a lot, but since the name is so new to me, I’d love to get some other people’s impressions.
If it helps my other three daughters are [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Emeline[/name_f] (pronounced “line”), and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]. [name_u]Baby[/name_u]'s middle name will be [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] regardless of first name after my grandmother.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_u]Faine[/name_u] sounds as intelligent/powerful as my other daughters’ names? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it is really jarring that they all have three syllables and [name_u]Faine[/name_u] is one? I am tempted to spell it [name_u]Fayne[/name_u] to further tie it to my mother’s name, but I like the [name_u]Faine[/name_u] spelling better. Which do you prefer? Does it sound feminine or masculine to you? It was originally a boy’s name, but it is so rare now that I am not sure that matters. Does it matter? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like it? Does it make you think of anything unpleasant? What would you think if you met a little red-head named [name_u]Faine[/name_u]/[name_u]Fayne[/name_u]? (Four of my six kids have red hair, so it is pretty likely.)
All I see is “rhymes with vain”. [name_u]Faine[/name_u]/[name_u]Fayne[/name_u] feels made up and trendy compared to [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Emeline[/name_f], and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]. [name_f]Faye[/name_f], on the other hand, goes well with your girls.
I get why you’re crushing on it. It’s a lovely sound and meeting someone by the name elevates it from a strange choice to a real possibility. I’m sure you didn’t tell the adult [name_u]Faine[/name_u] you met that her name rhymes with vain! However, I do agree that [name_u]Faine[/name_u] is a bit jarring after three more traditional 3-syll choices. What is the expression about naming convention? After 3 it’s a trend? However, I also know people who use a guilty-pleasure name for their fourth (if it’s their last) so who really cares if you and your husband love it? I think I would expect similar [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] with sisters [name_f]Myriam[/name_f], [name_f]Emeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f].
My first thought was feign which basically means fake/faking. It also seems too masculine and trendy next to [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Emeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]. I much prefer [name_f]Faye[/name_f] or [name_f]Fay[/name_f] (maybe [name_f]Faith[/name_f] nn [name_f]Fay[/name_f]?).
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you like [name_f]Faye[/name_f]? Not only does she sound perfect with your daughters names but she also honours your mother! I think [name_f]Faye[/name_f]/[name_f]Fay[/name_f] is gorgeous!!
One of the coolest, most unforgettable names I ever heard was a girl in high school named Yumi Kalu [name_u]Fayne[/name_u] (YOO-mee kah-LOO [name_f]FAY[/name_f]-n). Having said that, I don’t much care for [name_u]Fayne[/name_u] as a FN or NN but it could work as a MN.
I’m currently reading a book about a girl named [name_f]Fainne[/name_f] (Child of the Prophecy by [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] Marillier), so the name makes me think of that, though in the book with this spelling it’s actually pronounced “faun-ya.” The character is very practical and intelligent and has reddish hair. I actually think the “[name_u]Fayne[/name_u]” pronunciation is pretty and wouldn’t immediately think of vain, but it looks like I’m in the minority.
However, I agree with other posters that the name doesn’t really “go” with your other children’s names. Maybe you could do a double middle name, and have a different first? I also like the suggestion of [name_f]Fiona[/name_f].
I adore this name. It’s actually one of my favorites. That said, if you (like a lot of parents, I’ve noticed) like sibling names that seem to “go together”, [name_u]Faine[/name_u] would not be a good choice with the names of your other children. It just seems more magical and whimsical, while the others are more classic. If a difference in name tones does not bother you, I say go for it! It is just such a gorgeous name, and in no way reminds me of ‘vain’.
I like [name_u]Faine[/name_u] and think it could go with your other kids. And doesn’t it connect to some Irish-language group? Seems kinda magical to me. If you like it, use it!
I think [name_u]Faine[/name_u] is beautiful. I haven’t heard it before but it’s simple and pretty. Lots of words have homonyms so for me if the sound rang pretty in your ears when you first heard it, I’d be able get over the “feign” “[name_u]Faine[/name_u]” thing. Also a little red-headed [name_u]Faine[/name_u], baby of the family sounds adorable.
However, I do agree that [name_u]Faine[/name_u] is a bit jarring after three more traditional 3-syll choices. What is the expression about naming convention? After 3 it’s a trend? However, I also know people who use a guilty-pleasure name for their fourth (if it’s their last) so who really cares if you and your husband love it? I think I would expect similar [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] with sisters [name_f]Myriam[/name_f], [name_f]Emeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f].