I had a list of girls names that I loved, several of the names were ‘winners’ and it took us several hours after our daughter’s birth to make our choice but we were in agreement and chose [name_f]Ondine[/name_f] [name_u]Allison[/name_u].
Since then (she is almost 8 months) I have gone through various periods of feeling regret over the name, mostly because I find myself saying it SO many times in a row when people ask her name. The name is so pretty, the meaning is lovely, but I fear she will hate me for giving her a name she is always correcting people on. I am not looking to be flamed, but I honestly didn’t see what trouble this name would give in terms of pronouncing it.
Using the middle name isn’t an option as it’s my sister’s name and wouldn’t have been my choice for a first. I’m just not sure where to go or feel from here, and I guess I’m just looking to vent.
I can’t say I understand name regret as I have yet to name anything except pets, but I think [name_f]Ondine[/name_f] is a gorgeous name, and [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] and [name_f]Ondine[/name_f] is even more gorgeous…I also think that the pronunciation would be fairly straight forward…I’m sorry to hear that you’ve experienced otherwise. A lot of people have to correct people about the spelling/pronunciation of their names, it’s just something they have to live with, and it’s not really a big deal in the terms of things…would you consider changing her name completely?
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f] is probably a name that most people have never heard before. I haven’t ever heard this name, but it’s beautiful! Luckily, from the spelling it seems pretty obvious how it’s pronounced when one is reading the name aloud. That’s a plus.
But the issue arises, it seems, when you’re saying the name and the other person can’t easily identify what you’re saying. It is a great name - but you may always have an issue repeating it just because it’s not common and people are trying to figure out how it would be spelled, etc.
I wouldn’t worry too much though. It can happen with common names too. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband is a [name_u]Brett[/name_u] and almost nobody gets it right on the first try no matter how clearly he says it.
Thanks ladies! I appreciate your support, I still love the name as a third party I just have started to feel like I’m crazy when people say ‘what is that now? HUH?’ [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] is also an unusual name but apparently easier to comprehend.
I get lots of On-dine as in rhymes with pine when people read it off paper. Come on people!
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t worry about having to repeat the name over and over again. [name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] and people have said [name_f]Charla[/name_f],[name_f]Sharna[/name_f],[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f],and [name_f]Sharon[/name_f] and I speak pretty clearly. People are bound to mishear what you say, especially with such a unique name. If it bothers you a lot you try a nickname that could be easier for people to say.
Im sorry for your trouble with people messing up her name and your feelings of regret. [name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Carly[/name_f] and while its pretty popular now, people would always mess it up when I was younger because I was quiet and I don’t think they heard me. I always got “[name_u]Charlie[/name_u]?” Or “[name_f]Charlene[/name_f]?” [name_f]My[/name_f] grandma would even slip up and call me [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] sometimes! People also always want to spell it [name_f]Carlie[/name_f], [name_f]Karly[/name_f], [name_f]Karlee[/name_f], etc. It really doesn’t bother me though and I dont dislike my parents or anything for giving me an uncommon name at the time. Anyway, I think you should stick with the beautiful, correctly spelled name you gave your daughter and I’m sure she will be happy to be a bit unique and not have to be common name Last initial in school.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] you feel better about her name soon!
I have a name my dad made up (my name on here isn’t my real name). I’m the only one (globally I think) with this name. There were times when I was younger that I hated that but now I love it and appreciate it. Stand by your decision and don’t worry about people not getting it. They never will. But one day your daughter will.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t worry. [name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Laura[/name_f] and you’d think people wouldn’t have a hard time with that one. I used to get “[name_f]Laurel[/name_f]” and “[name_f]Lauren[/name_f]” when I was younger and a lot quieter when I spoke. You may just need to let yourself get a lot louder and significantly more cynical when you talk to people.
Name regret is no fun:/ as others have pointed out-even simple names can get a similar response.
However, I’ve never heard of [name_f]Ondine[/name_f] and if I heard it I’d probably clarify a few times just to be sure I had it right. With a name that’s uncommon I would expect people to clarify a few times and then once they get used to it, it will seem natural to say. It always helps me to see an unfamiliar name written down. Or perhaps a hint like “[name_f]Ondine[/name_f] rhymes with [name_f]Eileen[/name_f]”
Good luck! [name_m]Both[/name_m] of your children’s names are lovely!
It is a lovely name. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t fret over it. Many of usl have some degree of name regret as fashion changes, our tastes change or the name becomes popular or unpopular. Things we can’t control. It is her now … she will adore it.
There are millions of names out there that are more difficult to pronounce, and I’m shocked that people are struggling with [name_f]Ondine[/name_f]. But they’ll get there, and it should get easier as she gets older. It follows the standard pronunciation for other [name_m]French[/name_m], or [name_m]French[/name_m]-style names ([name_f]Nadine[/name_f], [name_f]Sabine[/name_f], [name_f]Maxine[/name_f]), and is fairly intuitive in English compared to, say, Welsh or Irish names.
Hang in there. I think you will regret it more if you change it.
I know a 14 year old [name_f]Ondine[/name_f], and once people hear the right pronunciation, that’s pretty much it. They get it. Her parents also nn her [name_f]Deenie[/name_f] sometimes. It’s lovely. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t fret.
I have an unusual name, and I have to train people, through persistent repetition, to say it right. I was in university and I worked retail and I waitressed. Strangers all around me, all the time, I had to have dozens of interactions daily with strangers, and my name mattered at that moment, but the vast number of people were fleeting acquaintances. People mispronounced my name during 95% of my day.
You have the opportunity to give her your strength and confidence and love of her name. You can insist that people say her name right every time. [name_f]Every[/name_f] time! [name_m]Even[/name_m] if it’s the [name_f]Queen[/name_f] Mother - she still gets corrected by [name_f]Ondine[/name_f]'s mother every time she mispronounces this beautiful name! If you develop this strength in her and literally don’t let anyone mispronounce her beautiful name - then she will learn to believe she has the RIGHT to hear her name said properly. She will be comfortable and proud to correct people. And she will persist and be proud of her name. But the strength has to start with you!
I hope that’s helpful. It’s hard. But the sooner you get into the habit of correcting people - every single time - the better she will be. It is a BEAUTIFUL NAME!!! There is a reason you gave her this name and it’s very beautiful.
Be prepared for several years of constant correction but when she starts school, three weeks into the school year the teachers, staff and students will know her name and she will stand out in a good way because of her name and the constant need for correction will be mostly eliminated.
With so many names from around the world in one classroom these days, kids are so much more accepting of the unusual or different. She might get frustrated at times but I don’t think she will end up hating you for choosing a name outside the top 20!
I love this name. It’s fairly normal that you have to correct people, but friends and family will get used to it, don’t despair. Strangers don’t really matter, so don’t push too hard. You can ignore those who mispronounce and only respond to corrected name.
A lot of names get pronounced wrong when someone hears it for the first time, but it’ll stick. [name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Eryn[/name_f] and whilst it may not be a big deal in how to pronounce it (I think it’s pretty obvious), I’d get teachers in school stop during the register and just read it out… Like they couldn’t even guess how to pronounce it. I wasn’t bothered by it and I think your daughter will grow to love her name, as will those who meet her.
