Michelle.
I've brought the name up before - it's my father's-in-law favorite name. I was never too serious about using it until recently. Now I'm really, really digging it. It's dated, yes, but I love the sound of it, the meaning behind it and the fact that my FIL would get such a kick out of it.
Thoughts & Opinions? I don't like Michaela - it's going to be just as dated as Michelle in a few years and there are too many different spellings.
Thoughts & Opinions? I don't like Michaela - it's going to be just as dated as Michelle in a few years and there are too many different spellings.
Replies
It's pretty, but I know too many Michelles to consider using it.
I love Michelle. It's my middle name and my mother's name. My mom was named Michelle in the early 1950's, when it was quite uncommon. My grandma named her after a character in a book she was reading. Growing up, most people had never heard her name before. Of course, it became very popular in the 1970's and 1980's. I think it's time for a comeback. :-)
It's my middle name, but I spell it with one L. (It's after my aunt - my grandma spelled my aunt's name Michele because the song by The Beatles came out right before she was born and my grandma didn't want everyone thinking she was naming my aunt after the song, so she changed the spelling.)
It's all right. I went to school with a billion Michelles, so I don't really get any sort of specific feel from it. It's one of those names that is just kind of "there." I do know a younger Michelle though - she's six or so. So I can see it on younger kids.
It's all right. I went to school with a billion Michelles, so I don't really get any sort of specific feel from it. It's one of those names that is just kind of "there." I do know a younger Michelle though - she's six or so. So I can see it on younger kids.
I'm not a huge fan of Michelle. I think it's very dated. I think it would work best as a middle name.
I've never been a huge fan. It's not dated in a pleasant image way like some names. It's also my cousin's name, and makes me think mostly of her.
There's a soft grace to Michelle that really appeals to me. Although its dated commonality doesn't sit well with me, it sounds like a special name for you -- I'd encourage you to use it!
While I completely agree with Anneza that Michele looks much nicer, it would constantly be misspelled. It probably wouldn't be too hard to deal with that slight confusion, but it's still possible (I admit that I have a tendency to over-think how confusing names are to say or spell, since mine is both, though).
Spelling-wise, I prefer it with one l - I've got two friends who spell it Michele, one an English-speaking South African and one French. Michele just looks lighter and more energetic and lively than the stodgier Michelle. And I dislike Michaela too! As for usability, who wouldn't like to be named after one of the Beatles' finest?
I am definitely going to have to spell it Michele.
My father's-in-law love for the name is because of the song. :-D I didn't realize they spelled it Michele.
My father's-in-law love for the name is because of the song. :-D I didn't realize they spelled it Michele.
They don't! Sorry, clearly I wasn't making myself clear. Oh no, it's "Michelle, ma belle" all right ... but since Michele is also authentic French (witness my friend, born in Lyons) I see no reason to shun it. Goodness knows how much French the Beatles knew, anyway, but I don't imagine it was a lot!
Well, they do say that they're using "the only words I know that you'll understand"...
The only ones they understood themselves, more likely! Much as I revere the lads, I can't see them paying much attention in a French class ...
This is my aunt's name. I think it's soft and pretty, but I also like Michaela. Maybe that's because my dad's name is Michael.
I'm not sure why I don't like Michaela.
But I can understand why you would. My father's-in-law middle name is Michael. Of all my in-laws he is the coolest. He just has this way of standing well above the drama and keeping everyone calm - I think that's part of the reason I like Michelle so much.
But I can understand why you would. My father's-in-law middle name is Michael. Of all my in-laws he is the coolest. He just has this way of standing well above the drama and keeping everyone calm - I think that's part of the reason I like Michelle so much.
I adore Michelle. It's just about the softest and prettiest name there is. If it's a little out-of-date, who cares? At least she'll be the only Michelle in her class. BTW, you're absolutely right about Michaela being dated in the future.