I just hit on [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] as a possibility for baby girl due in [name_u]December[/name_u]. I love the “[name_f]Prue[/name_f]” sound and the history behind the name. My hubby said, “I guess I could live with [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] but it sounds a bit stuffy.” That is actually pretty high praise about a name coming from the man who hates all names.
Still . . . now he made me wonder. Does [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] sound stuffy? I know there is the “Prude” element, but since that word is mostly outside normal usage, I can’t see that as a deal-breaker.
What do you “hear” with the name [name_f]Prudence[/name_f]?
It sounds a little harsh, and it is likely due to being stuffy, in my opinion. It is the sound of the word Prude that sounds harsh. But, if you like it and he doesn’t mind it, you may like these better:
[name_f]Patience[/name_f] (nickname [name_f]Payten[/name_f], [name_u]Penny[/name_u], [name_f]Pattie[/name_f])
[name_f]Constance[/name_f]
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_m]Pruitt[/name_m]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Temperance[/name_f], although this has the word temper in it, the s sound on the ending softens it
[name_f]Prudence[/name_f] is a little stuffy, especially for a baby, but if you called her by the nickname [name_f]Prue[/name_f]/[name_f]Pru[/name_f] it could work. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] is very cute! But when I hear [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] I picture a bit of a stuffy old lady.
Other virtue names you might like:
I second [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Verity[/name_f] & [name_f]Constance[/name_f] from the list above! I would also add:
I love the name [name_f]Prudence[/name_f]! And it’s such an admirable virtue too I think [name_f]Pru[/name_f] and [name_f]Prudy[/name_f] and adorable nicknames, but I honestly don’t find [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] to be stuffy at all. I think it’s quite refreshing.
Wow–there are some strong opinions on this one. [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] would join sisters [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Emeline[/name_f], and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]. I think the name works especially well with [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]. I am not familiar with Charmed. The only name association I have (besides the name harking to Puritan virtue names) is a character in the book Witch of Blackbird Pond. [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] is a young girl who is smart and brave and open-hearted. It isn’t an honor name for the character or anything, but a pleasant association.
I totally agree with the “clunky, spunky, and mannerly.” I have a similar vision. I also think it sounds smart, which is my number one girl name requirement (for my own children, of course).
Keep the opinions coming–this is really interesting. I’ve never mentioned a name that had such dissimilar reactions from the berries.
I am not a fan of [name_f]Prudence[/name_f]. I just can’t get on side with names that describe a character trait (i.e. cautiousness in this case) that a child may or may not have. You could end up with the most un-prudent child named [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] - a child that’s spontaneous, really extroverted, carefree. Then the name almost becomes a running joke. I could hate the sound of a name but still think taht someone should go for it if they personally love it. But I would never recommend someone name their child a character trait name.
And btw, I think the name sounds nice so it’s definitely not that it’s not a nice sounding name. I hope you’re not offended.
No, I don’t think it’s stuffy anymore. The tv show “Charmed” gave it a new lease on life, especially with the nn [name_f]Pru[/name_f]. I think it’s feminine and the nn is sweet.
It is a little stuffy, but [name_f]Pru[/name_f] is adorable. Plus, I think meeting a cute little kid with a name that was once unappealing to you can change your whole perception of it. I’m sure your [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] would be charming.
I know two Prudences, and one of them has a sister named [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]! I’ve always thought they worked wonderfully together.
I personally think it’s a lovely name. Both Prudences I know (one goes by [name_f]Prue[/name_f], the other by [name_f]Prudy[/name_f]) are very cool and funny girls.
Charmed was a TV show about sister witches who fight evil. I only watched a few seasons, but that’s the only place I have heard the name. It’s not a bad association, just an association.
I have the same association with any of the other sisters’ names from the show–[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_u]Piper[/name_u], and [name_f]Paige[/name_f]. Though I do know a couple of girls named [name_f]Paige[/name_f] in real life, so I don’t automatically think Charmed when someone mentions that name.
Charmed was a TV show about sister witches who fight evil. That’s the only place I have heard that name, so that’s why I think of it. It’s not a bad association, just an association. At the very least, for anyone who has watched the show, the association with [name_f]Prue[/name_f]/[name_f]Prudence[/name_f] is not a stuffy one. She was pretty cool.
I have similar association with the name [name_u]Piper[/name_u], which I also heard of through Charmed. The other names I don’t have the same association with because I know people in real life with those names.
I am honestly on the fence about the name [name_f]Prudence[/name_f]. I want to dislike it for some reason…I have no idea why. But I really like it! Especially with sisters named [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_f]Emeline[/name_f]. [name_f]Prue[/name_f] is a great nn for a girl who wants one and [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] is a fine full name. I think you (and this discussion) my have changed my mind about our friend [name_f]Prudence[/name_f].
[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Prudence[/name_f]! It’s one of those clunky names that have such a sweet endearing nn. I love [name_f]Pru[/name_f]/[name_f]Prue[/name_f], but [name_f]Prudy[/name_f], and [name_u]Rue[/name_u] are nice as well. I love how it sounds too. The -nce ending has always appealed to me. I first saw it on Charmed then on [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] II. [name_f]Prudence[/name_f] goes nicely with the siblings names.
