I’m currently 11 weeks pregnant with my 1st and already starting to consider names. Who wouldn’t If I have a son, either the first or middle name [name]WILL[/name] be [name]Pierre[/name]. I’m just not sure I’m brave enough to do [name]Pierre[/name] as a first name in the US.
It’s my grandfather’s name and he was born in [name]Canada[/name]. I feel that it would be wonderful to honor him. He’s this gregarious, larger than life fellow who just loves everyone. He grew up in an orphanage and has this especially fierce love of his family. He goes by [name]Pete[/name] as an adult, but my grandmother calls him [name]Pierre[/name].
I’m not real fond of the nickname [name]Pete[/name]. Am I missing a nickname? Would [name]Pierre[/name] as a first name stick? I’m not sure if I like it more as a first name or a middle name.
Another factor to consider is my married last name is also French. Like it screams french, although we typically Americanize the pronunciation. But with super French name, would people assume our child is foreign? Or does it make it more cool?
Also my husband lived in [name]France[/name] for a while and speaks it fluently. So having a French name could fit with our family. Maybe all the more reason DH needs to teach future kids French?? Thanks for any input.
I like [name]Pierre[/name] a lot! If it has family significance, why not use it? It’s totally usable, imo. I would think it’d make him cooler. And definitely, I would use any excuse to teach my children another language–even better that it’s French!
Hmm, my only idea for a nn for [name]Pierre[/name] would be [name]Pierrot[/name]. I have a good friend whose family is originally from [name]France[/name], and I talk to her about names every now and then, and she told me about a pet she had once named [name]Pierrot[/name]. She said it’s a diminutive of [name]Pierre[/name]? I like it a lot (pee-[name]AIR[/name]-oh). I think you could use [name]Pip[/name], too, which I think is adorable.
It sounds like [name]Pierre[/name] is a good fit for your family. What a nice way to honor your grandfather I am sure he will be delighted. I definitely think it’s useable in the US as a first name. Nicknames maybe, [name]Per/name [name]Piero[/name], [name]Perry[/name] or [name]Piers[/name].
I would use it in the middle because unfortunately it’s such a ridiculous US stereotype for Frenchmen and with a French last name there might be some mocking. As a mn it honors your Grandfather and they can use the name later in life if they wanted to. I know a Pierre nn Pierrou which is somewhat common in France (or at least it’s the only nn I recall for the name), if I think of another I will post it.
I think it would be pretty grand to use up front – especially with the nicknames that previous posters suggested: [name]Perry[/name], [name]Piero[/name], and [name]Piers[/name] (the one that I had been thinking of). I don’t see a problem with a problem with a French first name and French surname, especially if you plan to teach your children the language. I think it’s very cool and makes a wonderful connection to your child’s heritage. (I have a super Italian last name and it doesn’t stop me from considering very Italian choices, and I’m by no means fluent in the language). But it’s very interesting and intriguing in either spot. What were you thinking of pairing it with?
What if you gave him a middle name that begins with J, and then used PJ as a nickname? I think there’s so much meaning in this name for you that you shouldn’t hesitate to use it.
Thank you very much for your responses! I hadn’t thought of any of those nicknames. I can totally see a little [name]Perry[/name], [name]Piers[/name], or [name]Pip[/name] running around. Those are really cute nicknames. I think I’m much more open to [name]Pierre[/name] as a first name, and I can also give DH some nickname ideas if the Frenchie-ness gets overwhelms him. Also the PJ initials idea could be another way to tone things down.
Teacherma, those are some great suggestions! Some that stick out to me are
[name]Simon[/name] [name]Pierre[/name], [name]Frederick[/name] [name]Pierre[/name], and [name]Pierre[/name] [name]Vincent[/name]. [name]Simon[/name] [name]Pierre[/name] especially strikes me. Perhaps it’s a subconcious crush on [name]Simon[/name] Cowell.
Some combos I had been considering
[name]George[/name] [name]Pierre[/name] (I feel like a boy named [name]George[/name] could grow up to be anything, politician, hot movie star, musician, scientist, guy with a beer belly)
[name]Everett[/name] [name]Pierre[/name] (like [name]Rhett[/name] as a nn)
[name]Elliott[/name] [name]Pierre[/name]
[name]Conrad[/name] [name]Pierre[/name]
[name]Stellan[/name] [name]Pierre[/name]
Now that I feel better about exploring [name]Pierre[/name] as the first name
If I have a son, either the first or middle name [name]WILL[/name] be [name]Pierre[/name]. I’m just not sure I’m brave enough to do [name]Pierre[/name] as a first name in the US.
And definitely, I would use any excuse to teach my children another language–even better that it’s French!