Good morning everyone. [name_f]My[/name_f] partner and I recently found out that we’re expecting, and we’ve already begun discussing names. [name_u]Ever[/name_u] since I heard the name “[name_f]Perrine[/name_f]” a few years ago, I can’t get it out of my head. I think it’s lovely, different, and as a bonus, phonetic, but still easy to pronounce. However, my partner, though she likes it, has major reservations about it because she feels she will need to “explain” the name, that some people might have a hard time spelling it, and that it might be a burden. Even though I personally love the name, I don’t want it to cause undue relationship stress when we discuss baby names, but maybe I’m not ready to give up on it quite yet.
So I’m seeking opinions. Do you think this name (most often used, but still uncommon, in France would be a burden? Would you feel the need to explain it? Thanks!
I know a [name_u]French[/name_u] [name_f]Perrine[/name_f]. Once I was told how to pronounce it, I remembered, though I’m not sure I would have been able to pronounce it off the bat.
I don’t think it would be any harder to wear than other names that might require some light prodding to pronounce right, and the sound is lovely. So I suppose the answer comes down to how much stock you put in an easily pronounced name. I’m a teacher, so I like names that are pronounced easily for phonics reasons, but it’s not set in stone.
Perrine is similar enough to [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] or [name_f]Perrie[/name_f] that I don’t think it’s a burden. I love the name [name_f]Perrine[/name_f]
I do like [name_f]Perrine[/name_f]. It has lovely sounds and I like iambic names a lot. I do not think it would be a burden personally, however, the concerns are valid. She/you would probably explain the name frequently, but I don’t think it would be to a ridiculous degree.
If your partner doesn’t like it, are you open to other similar names?
Perenelle is a favorite of mine, and [name_f]Petronilla[/name_f], [name_f]Petra[/name_f], [name_u]Peri[/name_u], [name_u]Peregrine[/name_u] (reads masculine but it can be pretty, too), [name_f]Pauline[/name_f], [name_f]Pavlina[/name_f], [name_f]Apolline[/name_f], [name_f]Pearline[/name_f], [name_f]Opaline[/name_f] would also be lovely. Might be worth introducing the conversation with some alternatives with similar sounds. Then if she vetoes all of those you can go back to talking about [name_f]Perrine[/name_f] and why it has stuck with you.
Unfortunately I’m not a big fan of most of those you listed and I think she might have similar concerns about a few of them. We do each have lists with some overlap, so even if She isn’t persuaded by the time we settle on a name, I’m confident we’ll find something to agree on.
I think [name_f]Perrine[/name_f] is great. I’ve never heard of it until now but I love [name_f]Perri[/name_f] names like Perenelle, [name_f]Pernilla[/name_f], [name_f]Petronella[/name_f] and [name_f]Perrine[/name_f] is close [name_u]Peregrine[/name_u] which is an established male name I don’t think it’s that hard to pick up on. Spelling may be a challenge but many names are. It’s more fun to have a unique name
Personally I don’t think it would be, but I do think it’d be a bit weird if you have no [name_u]French[/name_u] heritage. Having said that, I hate to be that person but if your partner doesn’t like it her opinion trumps anything on here. Maybe you’d be willing to compromise and use it as a middle name?
Very fair, and we do have a bit, but we’re standard American mutts and we could probably say we “have heritage” to a dozen countries.
And yes, that’s the challenge. You’re correct, her opinion is most important. It’s not that she doesn’t like it, it’s more of a perception issue for her.