We are expecting our 2nd baby any day (hour, minute) and are still undecided on a name! Yeeps. I need some opinions. We are english-speaking [name]North[/name] Americans currently living in [name]France[/name]. We have a very simple, one syllable, english surname. We are looking for a French name that will work in English, as we expect our daughter to grow up in an English-speaking country. So far, we have 2 choices:
[name]Eloise[/name] (easy to pronounce in both languages, not common in N/A, popular and modern here, love the nickname [name]Ellie[/name]!)
Cl”a (pronounced [name]Clay[/name]-ah. I [name]LOVE[/name] this name but realize she will probably always have to pronounce it for people. Not sure how big a deal this is).
Middle names could be [name]Alice[/name] (names of 3 of our great-grandmothers), either of the 2 first names we picked, [name]Yvette[/name] (name of the river that we live and stroll by here in [name]France[/name]). Other suggestions? What about similar first names. I’m open to more options, but we aren’t agreeing on much!
I think [name]Eloise[/name] is a great choice. It works in both, it’s neither “weird” nor too common, and it has the possibility of a great nickname. I’m not sure how well it goes with [name]Alice[/name] as a middle name though, it might sound a little too similar. However, I think [name]Eloise[/name] Cl”a sounds great together. With this combination, your daughter wouldn’t have to spend her life explaining her name, and you would still have that French flair you’re looking for.
I love [name]Eloise[/name] too. [name]Alice[/name] is more English sounding but I know is fashionable in [name]France[/name]. [name]Clea[/name] I think might be problematic for English speakers – but as long as you’re prepared for the problems, it’s lovely.
Some other ideas that straddle both cultures, though some may feel more like a souvenir of [name]France[/name]: [name]Beatrice[/name], [name]Celine[/name], [name]Charlotte[/name], [name]Elodie[/name], [name]Fleur[/name], [name]Jessamine[/name], [name]Juliette[/name], [name]Liliane[/name], [name]Manon[/name], [name]Seraphine[/name], [name]Valentine[/name]. Sorry, can’t type in accents!
Thanks! I’ve been leaning towards [name]Eloise[/name] Cl”a, but reluctant to tell anyone my choices so I haven’t had any feedback. We were considering [name]Elodie[/name] too. [name]Baby[/name] feels close, I sure appreciate the quick replies!
Sherb, I also am a fan of [name]Eloise[/name] (although I personally feel like “[name]Ellie[/name]” is way too common and wouldn’t muck up [name]Eloise[/name] that way! ). I think [name]Eloise[/name] [name]Clea[/name] (drat, can’t remember the spelling, sorry) is lovely. Best of luck with your birth!
Wow, I can’t believe we’ve had 2 posts in the last few days with [name]Eloise[/name]. I haven’t been able to find input about this name anywhere! I love love love it.
i love the name camille - my sister’s name in fact and it is french and means noble
eloise camille sounds just perfect. other names that come to mind are clementine and evangeline.
Thanks so much everyone! [name]Baby[/name] girl arrived a week ago. We decided to go with [name]Eloise[/name] Cl”a. She’s just beautiful and we think her name really fits her.
[name]Camille[/name] was on our list, but it is just pronounced so differently in the 2 languages. I’m glad we decided not to use Cl”a as a 1st name. Everyone hears [name]Clare[/name]! I’m so grateful for the 11th hour input, the thoughtful comments were a huge help.
). I think [name]Eloise[/name] [name]Clea[/name] (drat, can’t remember the spelling, sorry) is lovely. Best of luck with your birth!
You picked something beautiful