What would you expect someone named [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] to be like, I.e. Age, looks, personality. Are you familiar with the name and how would you pronounce it?
I intend to shuffle my name around when I get married to make some things less confusing. This is to replace my first name which is getting moved to the middle, so it’s not for a child. I am drawn to [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] because it’s not overly frilly, it’s familiar (to me, at least, but so are a lot of pretty out-there names), and it seems to be known to some degree in most parts of the world. My biggest concerns are that it might be too unusual to the point of drawing attention to the fact that I had my name changed, and whether it might be subject to name-based hiring discrimination. I got a sort of strange response from my [name_f]MIL[/name_f] when mentioning this name as a possibility, and I’m curious to see if her assumption about “[name_f]Yvonne[/name_f]” is an assumption that I’d run into repeatedly or if it’s just a product of her being somewhat socially isolated. Anyway, I’d like to get honest opinions without muddying people’s opinions with the specifics of that.
@jonquils: Thanks so much for your reply. Yay for hairless cats!
I agree all names should be hirable, and perhaps I made a lazy word choice to express name-based hiring discrimination. While I wouldn’t make my choice just based on this fact, it’s something I’d like to know about before I make that a part of my life. [name_m]Even[/name_m] just the fact that someone might be unsure of how to pronounce a name could lead to a hiring manager fixing that problem by just…not calling. The name [name_m]Kevin[/name_m] of all things is apparently discriminated against in parts of continental Europe. It’s just one of those unfortunate things, and I came to the same conclusion as you did when deciding if I should choose a traditionally masculine or unisex name instead of an obviously female name. If it matters to them, I just don’t want to work there. That could be another entire thread, though.
I don’t think [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] is too unusual. It feels very familiar in [name_u]America[/name_u], but not common enough that you would know several others with the name. I have always pronounced it “ee-vahn,” but I’m not certain on that- I’ve never known one in person!
I would imagine a [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] to be strong and feisty, a little bit of a free spirit. The type of person who isn’t afraid to say what she thinks and do what she wants. She has dyed streaks in her hair and wears a signature red lipstick wherever she goes. She exudes confidence, courage and charm.
I really love the name! I’m not sure what your [name_f]MIL[/name_f]'s interpretation is, but I can’t think of anything obviously negative (or un-hirable) about [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f].
I know two Yvonnes and one is an older woman and the other a toddler so I can visualize it being wearable on any age. They both pronounce it yee-vahn or ee-vahn. The older [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] also goes by [name_f]Vonnie[/name_f] as a nickname. I see a [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] as being strong, professional, and a doer and I can’t see any reason to be concerned about the name restricting her moving ahead in life or an occupation.
My first thought is of the [name_f]Dionne[/name_f] Quintuplets…
[name_m]Born[/name_m]: [name_f]May[/name_f] 28, 1934
[name_f]Annette[/name_f] and Cécile are still alive.
Deceased are:
[name_f]Yvonne[/name_f]: [name_u]June[/name_u] 23, 2001 (aged 67) Montreal, [name_m]Quebec[/name_m]
Émilie: [name_u]August[/name_u] 6, 1954 (aged 20) Sainte-[name_f]Agathe[/name_f]-des-Monts, [name_m]Quebec[/name_m]
[name_f]Marie[/name_f]: [name_f]February[/name_f] 27, 1970 (aged 35) Montreal, [name_m]Quebec[/name_m]
I must admit that I do see [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] as quite a dated name, reason being I suppose, is that I have only ever heard the name on older women. I know/have known four, and all of them are/would be over 50 today. [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] seems to have declined steadily on charts since being quite popular in the 1930’s, then fallen out of common use since the 1970’s in many places, so that could be an explanation. Those that I know pronounce their name either EE-von, or ee-[name_m]VON[/name_m], similarly, but with emphasis on the different syllable.
I certainly don’t find [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] too unusual though - seems pretty straight forward to me, and does have a nice sound to it, but then again, I am already familiar with it. The Yv- I suppose could be seen as odd to many due to being an unfamiliar letter pairing in English (and perhaps other languages).
Ultimately, for a name change for yourself, I think if you love it and can see yourself wearing it, then by all means, go for it. Due to my association, I can’t really see it on a new baby, however, I can see it working well on an adult of any age.
I really dislike it. I always imagine a middle-aged trailer park dwelling, trashy woman who wears old clothes and is a chainsmoker. Either that or an overbearing religious woman who complains to strangers who don’t share her beliefs. Sorry.
[name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] is a pretty name. I pronounce it ee-von. It is how it is pronounced in Australia. I did check with pronouncenames.com and the majority of the ways is ee-von, some Latin countries do say ee-von-e.
As for any name being too old or too young. All names start off on babies and age as the child ages. If anyone does/doesn’t like a name it is purely a matter of personal taste. Some names suggested for babies are in my opinion hideous or stupid, but you the reader may just love the same name I hate. One comment by a pp who doesn’t like Vyonne was quite rude in her comments.
Please if you do not like a name just say personal choice, I don’t like it. I dislike all the people who put down my name [name_f]Karen[/name_f]/Carin. I changed the spelling because I preferred a different version. Putting down any name and being rude about it is being unnecessarily unkind.