[name_m]Hi[/name_m],
We are a [name_u]French[/name_u] couple living in Australia for the last years. We might come back to [name_u]France[/name_u] eventually… not sure yet. I’m expecting a girl and we have a crush on a name which is really common in [name_u]France[/name_u]. However we are wondering if that sounds weird for Australians/English speakers. The name is « [name_f]Ambre[/name_f] ». What do you think ? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you know that bae and is it hard to pronounce in [name_f]English[/name_f] ? Our sons both have [name_u]French[/name_u] names as well. Thanks for your advise.
I am not an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaker natively and I don’t come from an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking country. But I still want to give some advice.
It is fine but might get confused with [name_f]Amber[/name_f].
Other ideas:
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_u]Romy[/name_u]
[name_f]Joséphine[/name_f]
[name_u]Louise[/name_u]
[name_u]Jade[/name_u]
[name_u]Rose[/name_u]
[name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_f]Emma[/name_f]
[name_f]Constance[/name_f]
[name_f]Esmée[/name_f]
[name_f]Violette[/name_f]
[name_f]Elinor[/name_f]
[name_f]Minna[/name_f] / [name_f]Minerva[/name_f] / [name_f]Minnie[/name_f]
Cordélia
[name_f]Anaïs[/name_f]
Tess(a)
[name_f]Faustine[/name_f]
[name_f]Laura[/name_f]
[name_u]Marion[/name_u] / [name_f]Manon[/name_f]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_u]Alma[/name_u]
[name_f]Bea[/name_f] / [name_f]Béatrice[/name_f]
[name_u]Alba[/name_u]
[name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_u]Alma[/name_u]
[name_f]Juliette[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_u]Céleste[/name_u]
[name_f]Anouk[/name_f]
[name_f]Elsa[/name_f] / [name_f]Elsie[/name_f]
[name_f]Julia[/name_f]
[name_f]Flora[/name_f] / [name_u]Florence[/name_u]
Clémentine
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
I had a kid called [name_f]Ambre[/name_f] at work once (in the UK) and it worked It might be said [name_f]Amber[/name_f] somethings, but I don’t think it’s too hard to pronounce
Thanks a lot ! 5 names are in our short list too. Interesting
Many thanks !! Good to hear So many beautiful girl names but still our heart on this one even if that might not be the easiest one here in Australia…
Congrats on baby girl!
Native [name_f]English[/name_f] speaker, albeit of the Midwest USA variety.
I cannot speak for Australia but I don’t think too many in the US would have a hard time pronouncing it, although it would probably come out more like “Ombre.”
I think it’s lovely!
I adore [name_f]Ambre[/name_f], and I actually only came across one when I was living and teaching in [name_u]France[/name_u]! my concern would be that the “re” sound in [name_u]French[/name_u] doesn’t exist in [name_f]English[/name_f], and is difficult for an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaker to say. (I speak [name_u]French[/name_u] and I struggle with it.) I think it would end up being pronounced like [name_f]Amber[/name_f] in an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking place. although, I’m not in Australia so I can’t speak for Australians!
Thanks for your feedback [name_u]True[/name_u]. We also love [name_f]Iris[/name_f] , [name_f]Juliette[/name_f] and [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] … easiest names for a bilingual /bicultural child
Im not familiar with it but am familiar with [name_f]Amber[/name_f]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] they sound very similar?
I would name her [name_f]Ambre[/name_f] and present her as [name_f]Amber[/name_f] to [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers, it’s better than people pronouncing it Am-bray because of the unusual spelling. I think it should work well especially if you’re in a diverse area where people are used to having different names anyway.
Yes that makes sense … Indeed we live close to [name_u]Sydney[/name_u] and my sons both are going to a local public school where half of the students have parents from overseas (Us, Europe, [name_u]South[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u] etc). [name_f]My[/name_f] sons have classic [name_u]French[/name_u] names (like [name_u]Gabriel[/name_u], Arthur…). People pronounce them with their own accent and we love it However [name_f]Ambre[/name_f] might be a bit tricky… with the « R » sound at the end that’s why we hesitate even if it would fit very well in our family
thanks for the comments - it really helps to process the idea
[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! Yes they do. The [name_u]French[/name_u] version [name_f]Ambre[/name_f] sounds very sweet and light. This is in the top 10 most given name in [name_u]France[/name_u] for the last years so it is getting very common. However I wonder if « [name_f]Amber[/name_f] » sounds like a name stucked in the 80s for Australians. Never heard that name at school or extra activities For the prononciation I believe Australians will say « Am- Brey » with first syllab said « è » like in « [name_f]Ella[/name_f] ». I would prefer than « am- ber » as « ber » means butter in [name_u]French[/name_u]
Aussie (Francophile) here: you’ll need to educate a few parents and teachers on the name but I don’t think it’s too difficult to say if you’re OK with almost a “bray” instead of “brrre” (with a soft guttural R sound). The people who know you and your daughter well will start saying it closer to the [name_u]French[/name_u] “Bre” sound. I think the “Am” sound which is closer to “Om” (not quite but close) will be easy to train people on - but I do think the average school parent might say “Om-bray” at least for a while (including because most know ombré from the hair trend.)
I really like the name! I think you should continue with the [name_u]French[/name_u] names you like.
I’m an Aussie I think you should use the name you love but be prepared to correct the pronouncation or have a nickname that she can go by when people are struggling with the full name. I’m learning [name_u]French[/name_u] myself but i would struggle to be confident with the pronouncation. Looking at the name is want to call her [name_f]Amy[/name_f] as a nickname or [name_f]Amber[/name_f] or you could go with something like [name_f]Gem[/name_f] which would relate to name but be easy an Aussie to say.
All the best
[name_f]My[/name_f] first language is french and people around me only speak french so I’m of no help here but I did want to say that I really love the name [name_f]Ambre[/name_f], it’s quite rare where I live though but I think it’s gorgeous!! And I would love to see it being used more internationally! Good luck on this naming journey!
Thanks for your lovely comment Where do you live ? We are still hesitating with [name_f]Juliette[/name_f], [name_f]Iris[/name_f] or [name_f]Ambre[/name_f]. As you said this is a journey … but [name_f]Ambre[/name_f] seems obvious (despite the fact we are currently living in [name_m]Oz[/name_m] ah) . Enjoy your day !
I’m from [name_f]Canada[/name_f]. [name_f]Juliette[/name_f] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f] are lovely names as well so you can’t go wrong here!