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HelpMy Korean sister-in-law decided on an "American" name...
My brother's wife from Korea has decided to change her legal name in the US to something more Americanized. She said the reason was she never liked her name much and Americans tended to struggle with it. Her current name is apparently a very traditional, less common, Korean name that begins with a B, and it is a bit masculine and heavy in sound. Her last name, which is very common in Korea is Kim.
She said she'd prefer to continue to go by a name that started with B, although unfortunately there aren't many common English B names to choose from and was leaning toward Brie. I gave her a list of practical B names and then tried to at least steer her towards choosing a full name for Brie, which would give her a more professional optional that would flow better with Kim. My family all decided she does not look like a Brianna (which is also much more feminine than her current name), and she didn't care for it. I suggested Sabrina, but in the end she settled on Brielle Kim nn Brie.
I'm aware many may not be fans of Brielle, given its trendiness factor. But personally I think, given her situation, it's a decent name that will serve her well. It may not be the most traditional name, but she already has a traditional Korean birth name that her family and close friends will continue to use. Brielle is also a name of several cities/towns, which does technically make it more timeless imo. The common elaboration of -elle seems like a pretty natural variant of Brianna, that should also help it age better, even if it is on the trendier side. WDYT?
She said she'd prefer to continue to go by a name that started with B, although unfortunately there aren't many common English B names to choose from and was leaning toward Brie. I gave her a list of practical B names and then tried to at least steer her towards choosing a full name for Brie, which would give her a more professional optional that would flow better with Kim. My family all decided she does not look like a Brianna (which is also much more feminine than her current name), and she didn't care for it. I suggested Sabrina, but in the end she settled on Brielle Kim nn Brie.
I'm aware many may not be fans of Brielle, given its trendiness factor. But personally I think, given her situation, it's a decent name that will serve her well. It may not be the most traditional name, but she already has a traditional Korean birth name that her family and close friends will continue to use. Brielle is also a name of several cities/towns, which does technically make it more timeless imo. The common elaboration of -elle seems like a pretty natural variant of Brianna, that should also help it age better, even if it is on the trendier side. WDYT?
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Update...
After sleeping on it, I think we all had second thoughts about Brielle as a full name, so now she seems to just be leaning towards Brie Kim. I thought Brie Kim sounded a bit simplistic at first, but I think I'd rather her choose a simple name that she loves rather than a superfluous longer name that we're on the fence about.
I asked what she thought about just using Brie as an American nickname while reserving her birth name, and she said she always wanted to change her birth name, even in Korea. So she seems set on changing it to something. I get the impression that she is going to at least think a little bit longer about what that name should be.
I may try to suggest other understated female names for her to consider, but my family and I already think Brie suits her pretty well. Again, the only real concern I have is it seems a bit incomplete with Kim, especially since Brie is less common as a full name. Thank you all for your input!
After sleeping on it, I think we all had second thoughts about Brielle as a full name, so now she seems to just be leaning towards Brie Kim. I thought Brie Kim sounded a bit simplistic at first, but I think I'd rather her choose a simple name that she loves rather than a superfluous longer name that we're on the fence about.
I asked what she thought about just using Brie as an American nickname while reserving her birth name, and she said she always wanted to change her birth name, even in Korea. So she seems set on changing it to something. I get the impression that she is going to at least think a little bit longer about what that name should be.
I may try to suggest other understated female names for her to consider, but my family and I already think Brie suits her pretty well. Again, the only real concern I have is it seems a bit incomplete with Kim, especially since Brie is less common as a full name. Thank you all for your input!
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It is truly odd that she'd end up picking the name that is literally a kind of cheese. But the heart wants what the heart wants.
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Haha I pointed the cheese thing out, but she likes the cheese and seems to be unbothered by this fact. Somehow I think Brie is still better than the Bree spelling.
I may compile a list of alternate names for her this week with the understated feel she seems to be going for, but today I'm trying to avoid getting too sucked into this site.
I may compile a list of alternate names for her this week with the understated feel she seems to be going for, but today I'm trying to avoid getting too sucked into this site.
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Bryony/Briony is a British name that I've never seen in the US. I personally think it's cute with a British accent, but sounds more like "briny" with an American one. She also may want to avoid rare or difficult-to-pronounce B names because she speaks with an accent, so people may mishear her name.
She hates the name Gabrielle. Personally I feel the same way.
She's rejected all traditional B names and full names for Brie at this point (although there still may be hope that I can get her to warm to Sabrina). My brother pointed out the actress who goes by Brie Larson, which I agree does help elevate Brie as a full name. The only other alternative I can really see is if I can steer her to go for another name completely that she likes equally or better.
She hates the name Gabrielle. Personally I feel the same way.
She's rejected all traditional B names and full names for Brie at this point (although there still may be hope that I can get her to warm to Sabrina). My brother pointed out the actress who goes by Brie Larson, which I agree does help elevate Brie as a full name. The only other alternative I can really see is if I can steer her to go for another name completely that she likes equally or better.
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And Brielle isn’t ugly, with just the first syllable of The Ugliest Name Ever lopped off?
I mean she can like what she likes but that’s baffling. I don’t love Gabrielle but I really dislike Brielle, it’s the ugliest part isolated.
It works fine for her purposes and is better than Brie but I’d never pick it for myself. I think I’d prefer Bridget or your suggestion of Sabrina.
I mean she can like what she likes but that’s baffling. I don’t love Gabrielle but I really dislike Brielle, it’s the ugliest part isolated.
It works fine for her purposes and is better than Brie but I’d never pick it for myself. I think I’d prefer Bridget or your suggestion of Sabrina.
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Yeah I like Beatrice (also Bruna, but it's very uncommon in the US), but my brother isn't a fan. Again, I'm going to try to see if she'll just use Brie as an American nickname for her birth name instead, or just start from scratch with a different letter because now I'm having second thoughts about Brielle for her. Choosing a new legal name is a big decision.
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Yeah, the only thing is I don't know if I like Brie Kim as a full name though. It sounds a bit unsubstantial. Maybe I can steer her towards just keeping her current Korean name and just using Brie as a full name.
My brother and I speak some German, so we're inclined to use the German pronunciation of Brigitte rather than the French, which tends to confuse American speakers.
My brother and I speak some German, so we're inclined to use the German pronunciation of Brigitte rather than the French, which tends to confuse American speakers.
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Isn’t Brielle a nn too?
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