What do you think? I personally pronounce it (almost like) Jah-zel not Giz-. I’ve encountered the occasional comment on the board that it makes it out of the question.
I went to school with an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] girl whose name was Pooja and an [name_f]East[/name_f]-[name_f]Asian[/name_f] boy named Cheetaphong. Nobody ever made fun of anyone’s names and we’d know each other since age five. Maybe I’m being stubborn, it just seems extreme to try and bully-proof a very normal name, heck all the boys in my class nicknamed me “Rabi” because I had curly hair! I’ve always liked it particularly as it would work okay with my family in Germany, but I’d like to know if it’s usable.
I think it sounds like a word for male ejaculate and you mention it being Good for the [name_m]German[/name_m] family,when some Germans pronounce it Geezer-luh I think it sounds really dodgy. There is a [name_f]Gisela[/name_f] at work whose surname rhymes with her first name and it somehow makes it even worse. My Mum loves this name and keeps trying to persuade us to use it. Sorry but I really really dislike it.
On the other hand I love [name_m]Conrad[/name_m] and think that this would have no pronunciation problems, one thing to note that there is a massive [name_m]German[/name_m] electronics store chain called [name_m]Conrad[/name_m].
Yes, I was aware of the German pronounciation. My uncle’s wife in Germany had a friend (or sister in-law?) with the name who was lovely pronounced GEE-Zuh-luh. I lived in Germany as a child for a period of time. This will come across as defensive but that’s honestly not my intention, I just don’t really get why the German form is even more dodgy, maybe I am being naive? I think I may be missing something… thank you for your honesty though.
I see nothing wrong with the name, I even think it’s pretty, though not for me. It reminds me slightly of gazels(dainty little deer) and, personally, I think you really have go out of your way to find a problem with it. I pronounce it juh-zel.
I agree, I think the name is shooting up the popularity charts and the model has done a lot to normalize it. I teach and have known a few girls of different ages with the name and I don’t think it’s been a big problem for them. If it bothers you so much though that should be the hang up. You may pronounce it further from the naughty word, but most will pronounce it more closely. I think the poster who wrote that Geezer-la is dodgier didn’t mean naughtier, just less attractive.
I think it’s perfectly useable. I’ve known and worked with people who have this name (some [name_m]French[/name_m] and some [name_m]German[/name_m]). It’s lovely.
My counsin named her daughter [name_f]Giselle[/name_f], and it’s never been a problem. It definitely reminds me of gazelles, but gazelles are lovely and very graceful animals, so I think that’s a plus.
It’s definitely usable. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let the “jizz” thing put you off (I assume that’s what you’re talking about).
[name_f]Giselle[/name_f] is a lovely name and is associated with classical ballet, a Brazilian supermodel and a Disney heroine. It’s also Beyoncé’s middle name.
[name_f]Edit[/name_f]: I also love a PP’s suggestion of [name_f]Gigi[/name_f] as a nickname!
