My husband suggested the name [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] to me a while back and it took a while to grow on me, but suddenly, I am in [name_f]LOVE[/name_f]. We would pronounce it like the holiday (though the nameberry entry suggests “[name_u]Val[/name_u]-en-teen”). Among the reasons I am suddenly enamored is that I can see a girl of any age with any personality named [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]. I can see a sweet little girl, a strong-willed teen, a confident adult, and a loving grandmother whose grandchildren wear her namesake. I can see a muddy-kneed adventurer, a serious-faced bookworm or a princess-y theatregeek. There are tons of nickname options: [name_u]Val[/name_u], [name_f]Lena/name_f, and Lenni are all topping the list.
However…I worry that others may feel the name is too big for a child. Most people think of the holiday, while my husband and I have two characters from beloved stories that come more readily to mind. [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] Wiggin from Enders Game is the first–though, of course, we wouldn’t be naming our daughter after her specifically(that’s a lot to live up to). The other reference is an off-beat male companion of a girl in the movie mirrormask who describes his own name as “a bit of dignity and style, mixed with a bit of romance”
I really want to know how you all feel about this name. What would you think or say if you met a [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] in real life? What would you think of her background if your child brought a little [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] home from school or introduced her as their bride-to-be?
Thank you for your time. I’m also open to middle name ideas. Our last name is 3 syllables so I’m not sure how to strike the right rhythm.
I love [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]! I think it’s a beautiful name. It makes an especially nice middle name as well.
If someone brought a little [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] over I would love the name BUT I would assume that they were born near [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]'s day! Or conceived on it or something…
I love it! So stylish and romantic, yet I could see it working in the real world as a real name (if that makes sense). I think it’s lovely sounding with a lot of flexibility, as you rightly pointed out, and the nickname potential is great – I love [name_u]Val[/name_u] and [name_f]Lena[/name_f].
I was just swooning over [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] about an hour ago. I think , as you said it could fit a girl/woman of any age, and is not often heard. I would be delighted to meet a little [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
I think it’s great. Lots of nickname potential if she doesn’t feel like a [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]. If I met a [name_u]Valentine[/name_u], or one of my kids brought home a [name_u]Valentine[/name_u], I’d be tickled pink. Big [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] Wiggin fan, so that’s a positive in my book. [name_f]Love[/name_f] MirrorMask too, and that quote about the name sums it up perfectly.
For a middle, I’d go simple, classic and sweet. [name_u]Clare[/name_u] or the like.
I would assume [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] was a boy. On a boy it strong and romantic. On a girl it’s cutesy and kitschy. I’d think the parents chose it because of the holiday. [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] is gorgeous and far more flexible than [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
I know a [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] who goes by [name_u]Val[/name_u] and [name_f]Tina[/name_f]. I prefer that on a girl than [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] (with teen or tyne). I don’t mind it as a middle name but [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] as a first name is all boy to me.
I like the idea of a girl [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]. The only thing against it could be the jokes kids/teens might make about it… I certainly wouldn’t let that stop me using it, but it’s something to consider.
[name_f]Love[/name_f], love, love [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]! I would be so happy to meet a little [name_u]Valentine[/name_u], and I agree with you completely that it ages well.
I always thought [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] was a boy name… Maybe because I grew up with a boy whose surname was [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]? I dunno.
That said, it does have some elements in common with other feminine names, so I can see how it could work fine for a girl. I really like [name_f]Lena[/name_f] as a nickname!
I prefer [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] or [name_m]Valentin[/name_m] for a boy (in the middle spot), but it is sweet, in any case. [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] [name_f]Allegra[/name_f], [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] [name_u]Alexis[/name_u], [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] [name_f]Calista[/name_f], [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] [name_f]Helene[/name_f]?
I prefer [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] for a boy (one of my GPs) but I like it for a girl (I prefer [name_f]Valentina[/name_f], but [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] is way more unexpected). I would assume that the girl was born on or near [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]'s day. I like it, I would find it a bit strange to meet a [name_u]Valentine[/name_u], but not in a bad way. Pleasantly surprised. Go for it.
I adore [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] on a girl, ever since I read this children’s book about a girl who loved pets named [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] nn [name_u]Val[/name_u].
I don’t think it’s anything major. As a teacher of primary-aged children, I just know that they’re often very much into talking about girlfriends/boyfriends, marriage, kissing, etc. That’s all I’m thinking about. Not sure how much mileage teenagers would get out of it, if any…?
That’s about the worst scenario I can think of (I always try to foresee possible problems!!) - as I said, nothing major. All that talk goes on regardless of names, of course. I just wondered IF it might be worse for a child named [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]? I really don’t know. As another poster said, teasing is possible with all names, and it is part and parcel of growing up, I guess. It’s not usually life-threatening or anything - can be character-building.
Overall, I think it’s a lovely name and I would [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] to meet a girl [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]! I certainly think it’s safer on a girl than a boy these days. For the record, my friends just named their son [name_m]Valentino[/name_m] (Italian father), and I love it. I say go for it! I like [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] better than [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] - it’s more original and remarkable.
I love the sound of the name [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] and it has very sweet, happy connotations. I think it is a little too cutesy as a first name when pronounced like the holiday (my favorite pronunciation too!), but I love it as a middle name. Lately I’ve been likely [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] and [name_f]Sarai[/name_f] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] that helps!
