My sister has a new baby named [name]Gretchen[/name]. She and her husband call her Gretchy and Gretch. Ugh! Please help me think of a reason to adore her name.
I can understand that you might not like your niece’s name very much (it isn’t a favorite of mine, either) but I am sure you adore your niece. Perhaps you can nn her [name]Greta[/name] or [name]Gretel[/name] (like in the fairy-tale) or some other pet name that you prefer. Perhaps it will help to know that [name]Gretchen[/name] is [name]German[/name] for “resembling a pearl” and I am sure she is a little masterpiece just like every pearl (and precious as well). 
Aw, I love [name]Gretchen[/name]! You can always give her a cute nickname like Pumpkin or something that is just between you and her.
I’m sorry you don’t like your niece’s name. Okay. Let’s think. In a round-about way, [name]Gretchen[/name] means “pearl” so you can just think of her as a little gem. If that doesn’t work, you can pretend that G.r.e.t.c.h.e.n. stands for names you love, such as:
[name]Genevieve[/name]
[name]Rose[/name]
[name]Elizabeth[/name]
[name]Tess[/name]
[name]Caroline[/name]
[name]Hope[/name]
[name]Eloise[/name]
[name]Noelle[/name]
I’ve not been a big fan of the name [name]Gretchen[/name] either. Gretchy for a nickname is kind of weird, but [name]Gretchen[/name] is really not that bad. It is like [name]Rachel[/name]. When I was young, I couldn’t understand this ch sounding delightful to anyone. Maybe you don’t like ch sounds in names. I think I used to think it sounds heavy and sturdy, but then I met someone named [name]Gretchen[/name], it seems more delicate. The person wasn’t delicate, like a baby, or even, you know, a grown woman like she was, but I got used to the name, it doesn’t sound “Gretch-y” to me any more. [name]Ingrid[/name] is another like that for me, these names are the opposite of the emmabella kind of names one is used to hearing, but the gr sound and the ch sound… I can hear how the name sounds if you really hate it. You hear it with some harsh tones, like a grrr-etch, like your pants tore up the seat, but it’s really kind of interesting and cute. Maybe try calling her [name]Greta[/name]. I like [name]Greta[/name].
[name]Gretchen[/name] is a diminutive of the [name]German[/name] variant for [name]Margaret[/name]. Try to think of it as a cute name, stop thinking of grit, kitchens and retching. It is kind of pretty if you let yourself get used to it.
Focus on how much you adore your niece and remember that her name is a part of her and not liking it is like not liking part of your niece. I’m sure that it will grow on you after awhile. If it helps at all my cousin is naming her daughter [name]Berlyn[/name]. I can’t imagine why she would choose this name but, baby [name]Berlyn[/name] will be here soon. I’m trying to come up with a nickname for her so I can call her that.
…I really like [name]Gretchen[/name]! Gretch, not so much, but you’re not obligated to use that nn.
I agree!
Thanks everyone for your posts! I do adore the name [name]Greta[/name] and had thought it would have made a better match with her sibling’s name, but I don’t want to offend my sister by using it. I think what I don’t like about [name]Gretchen[/name] is it reminds me of the words wretch or wretched. I always connect names with similarly sounding words. I hate [name]Mildred[/name] for the same reason–reminds me of mildew or dread! [name]Jill[/name], your idea of thinking of names that begin with the letters in [name]Gretchen[/name] is wonderful! It reminds me of the baby [name]Mabel[/name] on Mad About You–Mothers always bring extra love. And I could always call her my little gem! I knew you all would help me out!
I like the gem idea. Once it sticks, you could just call her by “[name]Gem[/name]”. The same would work for “[name]Pearl[/name]”.
Yes your pet name for her could be [name]Pearl[/name], and it will seem endearing because of the meaning and not as obvious that you don’t like her name! ; )
[name]Pearl[/name], I love that!
I’m so glad you found some ideas that may work for you, Jillynet!
[name]Every[/name] time I hear someone’s child’s name that I dislike I think of [name]Jermajesty[/name] [name]Jackson[/name] and smile- it could be worse Jermaine Jackson - Wikipedia
Hmmm it is hard to make yourself like a name you don’t but you can free associate by looking for [name]Gretchen[/name]'s you can have positive thoughts about here- Gretchen (disambiguation) - Wikipedia
Is it a [name_m]German[/name_m] nickname of [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] ? Well, to be honest, I do hate the [name_m]German[/name_m] nicknames of [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], such as [name_f]Greta[/name_f]. If it is derived from it though, try calling her a cute nickname (her name in other languages, eg. [name_f]Daisy[/name_f],Madelief (mah-deh-LEEF in Dutch) or sth flowery, eg. [name_f]Maya[/name_f]). But also [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] means pearl (it is also the daisy in Greek), so maybe find names that mean pearl. Or call her by her middle name…
I am really sorry that you dislike it and I wish you change your mind