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Re: Gretchen
by mafiosa
6/2/2009, 2:01 PM
in reply to a message by Audra
I think it's very, very strange. I mean, it's not even a real name, it's a diminutive, and sounds terrible in English. Out of your combos, I like Gretchen Leigh, but Leigh is so fillerish. Gretchen Bonnie is nice, too. I'd go with that one.
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Replies

- Lovely (vomiting)   +3
6/2/2009, 5:32 PM
You're right in saying that it is a diminutive. However, it is as much a 'real' name as Lucinda is or Molly is [Lucy and Mary respectively]. Gretchen has been used enough as a given name for people to accept it as such. :)
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- mafiosa   +2
6/2/2009, 5:51 PM
Yes, maybe in English-speaking countries. In Germany it's like calling your daughter "Little Greta". Diminutives like -chen and -lein at the end of names just aren't used oficially.
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- Lovely (vomiting)   +1
6/2/2009, 6:52 PM
You're right. :)It wouldn't be my style either to use a diminutive normally [at least not on a real child] but it's common enough to get away with. The OP doesn't appear to be German.
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- mafiosa
6/2/2009, 6:58 PM
Yes, I guess it does work in English-speaking countries. It's been on America's top #1000 forever after all (though it's close to dropping out, I just noticed!). It just sounds weird to a German. :)
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