My friend has an unusual name which she refuses to go by. She uses her middle name instead. Her name is GRIZELLE. Pronounced as Griz - [name_f]Elle[/name_f]. What do Nameberry posters honestly think of her name because I don’t think it’s so bad ?
I prefer [name_f]Giselle[/name_f], but I think Grizelle is quite pretty. People will misspell her name all the time though. If I were her, I’ll simply go by nicknames.
It’s really cute [name_f]IMO[/name_f], it reminds me of grizzly bears in a good way, but I can see how not everyone would want to go by it. There are other things she could go by, like [name_f]Giselle[/name_f] / [name_f]Gizelle[/name_f] or, since Grizelle is from [name_f]Griselda[/name_f] meaning “grey battle”, maybe go by [name_u]Grey[/name_u] ([name_m]French[/name_m] gris means grey.)
Grizelle is fine but I would not say it to your friend’s face unless she was asking my opinion.
Honestly, I side with her. An “elle” to me usually softens a name up, but the Griz lead-in is quite clunky. Also makes me think of gristle, not a pleasant relation.
Though I think it has good intentions, I think it has a harshness that my tongue trips over. [name_f]Giselle[/name_f] has such ease and grace to it, which is lost with the ‘r.’ What does she go by?
She uses her middle name [name_u]Lesley[/name_u]
It’s awfully similar to the word “grizzle” which can mean either old and grey or to complain a lot–so not a positive association. It also reminds me of [name_f]Giselle[/name_f], though, which I like.
I think it’s alright, not awful, but I can see why your friend would choose to go by something else. It’s a bit clunky, and while some people would like that, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I would say it’s usable, though!
It’s alright, but it’s a harsh name [name_f]IMO[/name_f] and I prefer [name_f]Giselle[/name_f] much better. It reminds me of grizzly, grizzle, just the Griz- part isn’t pleasant. It also reminds me of [name_f]Griselda[/name_f] and that just reminds me of [name_f]Griselda[/name_f] [name_m]Blanco[/name_m], the really ugly drug lord of the Medellín Cartel.
One of my guilty pleasure names is [name_f]Griselda[/name_f]. I personally think Grizelle is a slightly more approachable variant.
I don’t like [name_f]Griselle[/name_f] at all, but I do like [name_f]Griselda[/name_f].
I guess the Griz part is a little negative, like a Grizzly bear or something. She could go by [name_f]Giselle[/name_f] though, which is very pretty
Grizelle sounds too much like a grizzly bear, or like something rough that you want to stay away from.
[name_f]Giselle[/name_f] is very pretty though.
I agree with pp who mentioned that -elle softens the beginning. I actually like Grizelle. I wouldn’t force any person to use a name they didn’t prefer, but if it were me, I would use it in formal settings. I know a [name_m]Charles[/name_m] who goes by his middle because his fn is “horrible” so I guess it is a matter of personal choice!
I think of gazelle and gristle, not pleasant
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] the name [name_f]Giselle[/name_f], but… Grizelle does not sound good to me. I agree, it’s the whole sound of the “grizz” beginning.
It’s alright. I’ve definitely seen worse. I find Griz quite harsh, yet [name_f]Elle[/name_f] so soft and pretty. I wish she was a [name_f]Giselle[/name_f], so much softer.
I concur. The “Griz” is very harsh. That being said, it’s not the worst name I’ve ever heard, and I don’t think she needs to be ashamed of it.