My DH came up with a great name for our daughter, [name]Simone[/name]. About 5 years ago we went to see one of our favorite bands and one of the openers was this band called Au Revoir [name]Simone[/name] and they have been my favorite ever since. I love the name, it’s not that common, and it has a lot of meaning behind it. There is a problem, however, because our last name is very common: [name]Walker[/name]. If you look up [name]Simone[/name] [name]Walker[/name] on Facebook you’ll see my problem!
I’m not that big of fan of [name]Simonette[/name] or [name]Simona[/name].
Her middle name has to be [name]Jean[/name] (family name) so I was thinking of just always calling her [name]Simone[/name] [name]Jean[/name] but it doesn’t quite roll of the tounge.
The only thing I can thing of is the Spanish version [name]Ximena[/name] or going with the place name trend [name]Samoa[/name] (the country) or Simoa (a river in Norway) has a very similar sound (at least in my accent), but maybe that might be more out there than you’re looking for… maybe a nn like [name]Mona[/name], [name]Sisi[/name], [name]Ona[/name], [name]Sima[/name], Sini?
I don’t think you should spice up [name]Simone[/name] any more. It’s a name you love and it’s got tons of meaning for you. With a last name like [name]Walker[/name], you’re going to have to pick a name like [name]Hildegarde[/name] to make sure your [name]Simone[/name] is the only one- there’s just no getting around it. [name]Don[/name]'t pick a name you don’t like so that your [name]Simone[/name] is the only one. I went to school with two girls who shared a common first and last name (your last name, in fact) and they actually never got confused. They were “x [name]Walker[/name] in 3rd grade” and “x [name]Walker[/name] in 5th grade.” They loved that they shared a name and actually became quite close because of it.
If you’re really upset with it, I’d suggest adding another middle name and/or using your last name along with your husbands (a hyphenated last name). That way, you can really use any first name you like for this or any other children you may have without fear of confusion on legal documents, etc. There are far more people whose last name is [name]Walker[/name] than [name]Jones[/name]-[name]Walker[/name] or [name]Smith[/name]-[name]Walker[/name].
I agree with the pp, [name]Simone[/name] is a name you really love just as it is. [name]Walker[/name] isn’t common like [name]Johnson[/name] or [name]Smith[/name], I’ve certainly never met a [name]Simone[/name] [name]Walker[/name]. The odds of her meeting another are very slim.
Is [name]Jean[/name] the only variation you could use? [name]Simone[/name] [name]Jeanette[/name] might flow a little better. Or maybe [name]Jeanetta[/name] to get you out of the 2 syllable rhythm.
I agree with previous posters who say [name]Simone[/name] is beautiful enough – both as a name unto itself and with the meaning to you - that it does not need spicing up.
As for the commonness of the name [name]Simone[/name] [name]Walker[/name], I would like to offer another way of looking at it:
I am starting to think that as the internet becomes more and more pervasive in every aspect of our lives, having a name that is not completely unique may be a nice thing! What if you don’t WANT everyone to quickly find your photos, or score of your high school basketball game, or ugly work photograph etc etc. I know this is a stretch but a tiny tiny bit of anonimity may be appreciated.
And for the record, I have never met a [name]Simone[/name], much less a [name]Simone[/name] [name]Walker[/name] so it’s not like you’ll call your daughter’s name at the playground and have 5 kids come running, or that she will have to obsessively use her middle initial at her college to not get transcripts mixed up.
BUT if you insist, what about [name]Sabine[/name] (sa-BEAN) or [name]Ramona[/name]?
Thanks for the advise! I never thought about the internet idenity thing, very good point. I just grew up as a [name]Jennifer[/name] and hated having the same name as someone else. I hate being [name]Jennifer[/name] [name]Walker[/name] so I go by Jenzie which is made up by my 12 year old self!
Unfortunately her mn has to be [name]Jean[/name]… [name]Gloria[/name] [name]Jean[/name], [name]Jennifer[/name] [name]Jean[/name], ______ [name]Jean[/name].
I might just sick with [name]Simone[/name] unless something more unique pops into my head. I hate hyphenated last names but I suppose she could always take my maiden name later in life if SHE hated her name.
Thanks again!
[name]Simone[/name] is a far, far cry from [name]Jennifer[/name]. I think it’s safe to say I’ve only ever met two Simones (one was [name]Samone[/name], actually) and they were not even babies. It’s currently at #619 and peaked at #311 in 1988 while [name]Jennifer[/name] was #1 for fifteen years in a row. It’s not like you’re naming her [name]Sophia[/name] or [name]Emily[/name]. And I agree that being the only person with your name wouldn’t necessarily be a positive thing.
I think [name]Simone[/name] is a lovely, unexpected choice. Honestly, I think it’s a bit ridiculous to not use a name you love because you want your daughter to be the only one in the world with that name.
I don’t see why [name]Simone[/name] needs spicing up. It’s soft, feminine and beautiful with a French flair to it. In fact, it’s one of my favourite French names for girls. [name]Simone[/name] [name]Jean[/name] [name]Walker[/name] is just fine by me. [name]Simone[/name] spices up [name]Walker[/name] and [name]Jean[/name] grounds them both in the middle spot. No need for spicing up. All the best!
I am a [name]Jennifer[/name] too so I know what you are talking about. I don’t think [name]Simone[/name] [name]Walker[/name] is too blah. I really like it! My maiden name is [name]Simon[/name] so I have considered having a [name]Simone[/name], as well.
[name]Remember[/name], she’s a girl so she may get married one day and change her name.
A cute nn is SJ. [name]Said[/name] fast, it’s Esjay, I think that is fun!
But [name]Simone[/name] is really pretty, not too popular, etc.
I have a friend named [name]Simone[/name] ([name]Simone[/name] [name]Bird[/name] - isn’t that cool?) and she’s the only [name]Simone[/name] I have ever met.
Anyway, I would not try to spice up [name]Simone[/name]. It’s beautiful as it is. If you want to spice up [name]Jean[/name] you could always go with something like [name]Simone[/name] RaJeanne or [name]Simone[/name] [name]Jeannette[/name].
I don’t think [name]Simone[/name] [name]Walker[/name] is too blah. I really like it! My maiden name is [name]Simon[/name] so I have considered having a [name]Simone[/name], as well.