We named our fourth daughter [name_f]Francine[/name_f] and I’m having regrets. The responses we have received are loaded… what I mean is, people have an association with the name whether it be old lady dated, [name_m]Man[/name_m] Men etc. and I wasn’t expecting it. I wanted a beautiful name, unassuming and original and I feel that the name we chose conjures up too many already made conclusions/images of the person behind the name [name_f]Francine[/name_f]. Does that make sense?
Other names on our list:
Angelie
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]
Should I change the name or keep it? In other words should I trust my reasons for choosing it in the first place or make a change so I eliminate the doubt??
I think you should keep [name_f]Francine[/name_f] but I do like [name_f]Viola[/name_f]. Its such a beautiful name and you can’t please everyone. However if it does bother you you could give her a nickname but [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] might be too meh for you.
I think you should keep the name [name_f]Francine[/name_f]. It is a very lovely name, and NO-ONE has the right to criticise it after you have named your baby. If people make rude remarks tell them you are not asking for their opinion.
I have heard many what I think are dreadful names. but I always try to find something nice to say about the name. Like that is very unusual, that is different, etc That to me is not criticising the name, but respecting the parents’ right to give their baby the selected name of choice
[name_f]Francine[/name_f] is beautiful! And love the nickname [name_u]Frankie[/name_u]. But at the end of the day go with your gut feeling - I changed my daughter’s name after 3 months after much deliberation. It felt like such a big deal at the time but nobody even remembers now. She will grow into whatever name you give her
So I found myself in a similar situation a few years ago: my daughter is named [name_f]Gloria[/name_f]. A few people are excited about this name, but mostly it was met with head scratches. I’m about to name my new son [name_m]Malcolm[/name_m], and I have already had similar responses. And it did bother me initially that people were not as enthused about the name as I am, which I imagine is what you’re running into with [name_f]Francine[/name_f] as well. And to be honest, for 1-6 months it was hard for me to connect the name with my baby—so much so that for the first two months I just called her [name_u]Baby[/name_u] [name_m]Bear[/name_m]. [name_u]Baby[/name_u] [name_m]Bear[/name_m] gradually transitioned to [name_u]Baby[/name_u] Glo, and baby Glo transitioned to [name_f]Gloria[/name_f]. I never considered changing it, but it did take me awhile to warm up to, even though it was a name that I had picked for meaningful reasons and loved.
I love the name [name_f]Francine[/name_f], and the nicknames [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] or [name_f]Francie[/name_f]. I think you will re-fall in love with the name as she develops and demonstrates her own personality. You’re also likely a fellow name-nerd (you’re here, after all!) and it’s sometimes disheartening to realize you would’ve gotten rave reviews if you had just named her (the lovely but super popular) [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] instead of the unique and quirky and fresh [name_f]Francine[/name_f].
I am of the personal opinion that how people react to our names can change how we feel about ourselves and in some ways can shape a personality. I think the pps suggestion of adding a modern nickname would be a really good way to resolve negative directed at your daughter and you still get to keep the name you love.
Frankie, Francie, Fran, Cece- and I’m sure if you made a post asking for creative nns for her you would get some really good ideas
If you loved the name originally, use the suggestions that you got above. Maybe a sweet/cool nicknames that make your choice feel more current for you and those around you.
She’ll grow up with plenty of choice of what to introduce herself as, and she may very well realize when she’s older what an awesome name she has in [name_f]Francine[/name_f].
What right to people have sharing negative thoughts about a person’s name, no matter how old the person is?! [name_f]Do[/name_f] they think it’s so you’ll change it? Would they say the same thing about a 6 year old’s name, or a 25 year old’s name? Ugh.
[name_f]Francine[/name_f] is not my favorite, but nice nonetheless. If feel strongly you should change it, [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] and Voila are beautiful! What about [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] [name_f]Francine[/name_f] or Voila [name_f]Francine[/name_f]?
Good luck!
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Francine[/name_f] anand I agree with others that people are incredibly rude. I am still experiencing a similar thing with my daughter’s name. I don’t have any negative associations with [name_f]Francine[/name_f], and I think it’s sweet and energetic and I love its nicknames. You’ll never be able to avoid using a name that someone else doesn’t like, so stick with the name you love.
I like the idea of using a nickname to help transition from baby nicknames to the real name. CiCi or [name_f]France[/name_f] or [name_u]Rani[/name_u] or any random cute baby nickname can help soften the name for others until she “grows into it”. I think people’s objection to it could just be that they have a hard time associating the older name with an infant.
If you love [name_f]Francine[/name_f], keep it! Names that everyone loves are hard to come by, so just go for the one you love! If you change it, you’ll likely find those same people might object to the new name as well, so do what feels right to you! She’s your kid after all!
I’m surprised that you’re finding [name_f]Francine[/name_f] comes loaded with connotations, as, like you when you picked it, I would have thought it was a fresh and fairly safe international-feeling choice! Is it just a few people you are mixing with, or has it been very general over a few months?
I personally find [name_f]Francine[/name_f] very attractive and a good choice (and haven’t watched Mad Men so don’t know that reference). [name_f]Do[/name_f] you actually doubt to the point of disliking the choice yourself, or do you still love it but are getting some negative reactions? If the former then I would say consider changing it (not a big deal). But if the latter don’t rush a decision but take some time, (and possibly use some nns as suggested), and see if the reactions you are getting are just a few specific (rude) people or more general.
If you do change I love [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] from your list, and would consider keeping [name_f]Francine[/name_f] but just adding [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] in front of it.
I think that you picked out [name_f]Francine[/name_f] and it really doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks. If you don’t like it personally, you can choose to call her by a nickname or a middle name (if she has any).
I had baby name regret when my son was a newborn. We named him [name_m]Julius[/name_m] [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], and everyone said that was an awfully big name for a little baby, and it didn’t seem to fit him at first and I really wished we had picked something more cutesy.
But as soon as his personality started coming out (at about 4 months old), he was SUCH a [name_m]Julius[/name_m]. He’s 9 now, and the name fits him so, so well.
I think you’ll have a similar experience with your [name_f]Francine[/name_f]. It’s normal for new moms, with all the postpartum hormones, for us to be anxious and questioning all our decisions. But [name_f]Francine[/name_f] is lovely and sweet – and it’s NOT the kind of name the general population expects for a baby, but I bet when she’s two or three years old, people will find her name delightfully unexpected. (And other moms will be recommending her name to their pregnant friends, saying, “[name_f]Emma[/name_f] goes to school with this little girl named [name_f]Francine[/name_f], and it’s such a cute name on her!”)
First, I think [name_f]Francine[/name_f] is lovely. Second, I hear that you’re regretting the name based on others’ reactions and not based on any changes you have about the name. To me, this indicates that you should not change it. As people get to know your little one, their perception of the name will change and she will come to embody it. I named my son a very uncommon name after a deceased close relative and had lots of regret at first because it just felt like I was referring to someone else. We used a nickname for a time, but after I heard others using his real name, it became so natural. It did take time, but he truly is his name now and he’s the first one I think of when I now say the name. I don’t really even use the nickname anymore!
Everyone has been so kind and helpful. Thank you! I’m going to sit with it for a bit longer but I’m leaning towards keeping the name we chose. I really appreciate all the thoughtful comments.
I think [name_f]Francine[/name_f] is very sweet and stylish, nothing wrong with it at all! Distinctly feminine without being overly frilly or saccharine. I picture someone poised and smart as a whip. If you love it I would definitely say stick with it!
