New Post
Search
HelpMarieve: your opinions on these French girl names
Would like to know what people think of the following French girl names, maybe you could rate them 1-10 (1 bad, 10 good) Im not naming a baby right now but I have a list for future reference and am trying to find unique names that work in French & US culture, the starred names are on my list. I'm horrible at explaining the pronunciation of any name so I hope theyre ok.
Marieve* - (pronounced like Mah-ree-Ehv) combo of Marie and Eve, (I think its a nice middle name alternative to Marie)
Bérengère* - (bay rahn ZHEHR/ soft "g" like Genevieve) means Glorious Spear
Ombeline* - (omb eh leen) means "a rare jem"
Aubeline (oh buh LEEN) a variation on Dawn
Nadège - (Nah Dezh -like mirage) means Hope, french variation of Russian name Nadezhda/Nadia
Mazarine* - (meh-zah-reen) a shade of blue
Josiane* - (zho zee ahn) variation of Josephine
*Argider -Basque name means light/beauty "light of beauty". This is actually a boys name, (I believe the Basque have a hard "g" as in "go" so Im not sure if this is Arj eh deer or AHRje dee but my instincts say soft G since it's on French sites.
Sorry for the long post, hope you enjoy the names!
Marieve* - (pronounced like Mah-ree-Ehv) combo of Marie and Eve, (I think its a nice middle name alternative to Marie)
Bérengère* - (bay rahn ZHEHR/ soft "g" like Genevieve) means Glorious Spear
Ombeline* - (omb eh leen) means "a rare jem"
Aubeline (oh buh LEEN) a variation on Dawn
Nadège - (Nah Dezh -like mirage) means Hope, french variation of Russian name Nadezhda/Nadia
Mazarine* - (meh-zah-reen) a shade of blue
Josiane* - (zho zee ahn) variation of Josephine
*Argider -Basque name means light/beauty "light of beauty". This is actually a boys name, (I believe the Basque have a hard "g" as in "go" so Im not sure if this is Arj eh deer or AHRje dee but my instincts say soft G since it's on French sites.
Sorry for the long post, hope you enjoy the names!
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
It's interesting, I'm French and there was a time I was also trying to find names that would be easily usable in both countries without being to generic either.
So my rating will be based on the correct pronounciation, but it probably wouldn't be the same if I were American...
Marieve* - 4
Bérengère* - 7
Ombeline* - 9 (I LOVE Ombeline! It's on my PNL)
Aubeline - 5
Nadège - 4
Mazarine* - 7 Classy, I did't know the meaning, thanks.
Josiane* - 3 I'm not a fan but it would be the easiest out of this list in my opinion.
*Argider - 2 ...It doesn't really bring images to my mind except that I make it rhyme with frigidaire, I find it hard to rate it. I don't find it very feminine either.
What about for example Oriane / Auriane, Ophélie, Faustine, Geneviève, Héloïse, Flora...?
So my rating will be based on the correct pronounciation, but it probably wouldn't be the same if I were American...
Marieve* - 4
Bérengère* - 7
Ombeline* - 9 (I LOVE Ombeline! It's on my PNL)
Aubeline - 5
Nadège - 4
Mazarine* - 7 Classy, I did't know the meaning, thanks.
Josiane* - 3 I'm not a fan but it would be the easiest out of this list in my opinion.
*Argider - 2 ...It doesn't really bring images to my mind except that I make it rhyme with frigidaire, I find it hard to rate it. I don't find it very feminine either.
What about for example Oriane / Auriane, Ophélie, Faustine, Geneviève, Héloïse, Flora...?
1
question about Mazarine and Segolene
I really suck at the pronunciations and I dont know which keys do the accent marks on my new laptop so I cut and paste.
Out of curiosity would you avoid Mazarine because of the Mitterrand connection? I dont think its a huge deal but what about Segolene because of Segolene Royal? I like both names but I tend to avoid politically tied names (good or bad) because people might think they are a name sake which could be a problem.
I LOVE Ophélie, Faustine, Geneviève, but I prefer Eloïse to Héloïse. I also think some of the current popular names over there like Lilou and Zelie are cute but I cant imagine them on grown ups.
I really suck at the pronunciations and I dont know which keys do the accent marks on my new laptop so I cut and paste.
Out of curiosity would you avoid Mazarine because of the Mitterrand connection? I dont think its a huge deal but what about Segolene because of Segolene Royal? I like both names but I tend to avoid politically tied names (good or bad) because people might think they are a name sake which could be a problem.
I LOVE Ophélie, Faustine, Geneviève, but I prefer Eloïse to Héloïse. I also think some of the current popular names over there like Lilou and Zelie are cute but I cant imagine them on grown ups.
1
I wouldn't see a problem in using Mazarine and Ségolène, def usable imo, even for a right wing person haha. And we now know for a fact that Ségolène Royal is not going to govern France these 5 next years. :) Mazarine makes me think of Mitterrand's daughter indeed (and Cardinal Mazarin) because it is unusal, but I can go past it. And there are worse associations. I don't think people abroad would make a connection.
I feel the same way about all the Lilou/Lili/Lala etc... it's just terrible. Names like Maëlys belong to this trend, I think it's better already but not my cup of tea anymore.
I feel the same way about all the Lilou/Lili/Lala etc... it's just terrible. Names like Maëlys belong to this trend, I think it's better already but not my cup of tea anymore.
1
I dont know much about French politics but Im a big fan of the actor Lambert Wilson (not his US films though lol) and I remember seeing pics of him at some event for Segolene Royal (I think he spoke at it?) and being a little disappointed for some reason lol.
Im not a fan of Maëlys and I cant stand Eulalie because I dont think it can ever sound grown up even though it looks pretty. Now I'm hearing Eulalie is "yoo lah lee" or "yoo lay lee" so maybe I'm wrong or it's open to interpretation? I know one who says "ooh lah lee" so thats how I say it.
Im not a fan of Maëlys and I cant stand Eulalie because I dont think it can ever sound grown up even though it looks pretty. Now I'm hearing Eulalie is "yoo lah lee" or "yoo lay lee" so maybe I'm wrong or it's open to interpretation? I know one who says "ooh lah lee" so thats how I say it.
1
I like Marieve and Aubeline! And maybe Argider.
1
I think Marieve is really pretty, and the pronounciation isn't too hard to get. Josiane is kinda cute, but I would probably use it as a nickname rather than a full name - it would be a lovely nickname for Josephine or even a combo like Josephine Anne "Josiane".
I think the others are all either too hard to pronounce (like Bérengère) or don't really sound like names to me (Ombeine, Aubeline and Mazarine - they kind of sound like places)
I think the others are all either too hard to pronounce (like Bérengère) or don't really sound like names to me (Ombeine, Aubeline and Mazarine - they kind of sound like places)
This message was edited 10/22/2011, 9:24 AM
1
Marieve - beautiful. 7
Bérengère - nice, but I prefer the form Berengaria. 6
Ombeline - the "omb" sounds a little awkward. 4
Aubeline - also sounds a little odd. 5
Nadége - pretty. 8
Mazarine - I was really confused when I read the others' comments on this, because I thought for sure someone would say "but it's a kind of pastry!", but maybe that's just in Swedish then? If so, it makes a pretty name. 8
Josiane - a very nice variation of Josephine. 8
Argider - doesn't appeal to me. 2
Bérengère - nice, but I prefer the form Berengaria. 6
Ombeline - the "omb" sounds a little awkward. 4
Aubeline - also sounds a little odd. 5
Nadége - pretty. 8
Mazarine - I was really confused when I read the others' comments on this, because I thought for sure someone would say "but it's a kind of pastry!", but maybe that's just in Swedish then? If so, it makes a pretty name. 8
Josiane - a very nice variation of Josephine. 8
Argider - doesn't appeal to me. 2
1
Marieve- 0- that says "muh-REEVE". Mariève (ma-ree-EHV) is nice, but maybe a little '80s.
Bérengère- 0- I don't think this is attractive at all.
Ombeline- 2- I'm not particularly fond of B name mid-name, but I like the O sound, so the feel is kind of nice. Where are you getting your meanings from?
Aubeline- 2- I feel like this is prettier/more appealing in a general sense than Ombeline, but I don't really care for it either.
Nadège- 7- I like this! I know a few and I think it's a nice name. Kind of dated, but oh well.
Mazarine- 0- it just looks really random. I don't care for it.
Josiane- 6- this is all right. Not my favourite French name by any means, but it's nice. I know a Joannie, and I think that's really sweet, too.
Argider- 0- oh god, please don't use a Basque boy name on a girl :o/ but yes, G in Basque is hard (like Gipuzkoa, the province) and Argider is pronounced "arg-ee-dehr" (with a hard G).
If you like the sound of this, what about:
Eider, Enara, Idoia, Iraide, Ikerne, Edurne or Itziar (I work with an Ixiar, and I've grown to like that pronunciation a lot, too)
Bérengère- 0- I don't think this is attractive at all.
Ombeline- 2- I'm not particularly fond of B name mid-name, but I like the O sound, so the feel is kind of nice. Where are you getting your meanings from?
Aubeline- 2- I feel like this is prettier/more appealing in a general sense than Ombeline, but I don't really care for it either.
Nadège- 7- I like this! I know a few and I think it's a nice name. Kind of dated, but oh well.
Mazarine- 0- it just looks really random. I don't care for it.
Josiane- 6- this is all right. Not my favourite French name by any means, but it's nice. I know a Joannie, and I think that's really sweet, too.
Argider- 0- oh god, please don't use a Basque boy name on a girl :o/ but yes, G in Basque is hard (like Gipuzkoa, the province) and Argider is pronounced "arg-ee-dehr" (with a hard G).
If you like the sound of this, what about:
Eider, Enara, Idoia, Iraide, Ikerne, Edurne or Itziar (I work with an Ixiar, and I've grown to like that pronunciation a lot, too)
1
Yes I forgot the accent mark on Marieve (and I can't find it on my iPhone). I wouldn't use Argider, I just like the way it's spelled and the meaning :) thanks for the other suggestions!
1
Mazarine - correction! - maybe someone has a definitive answer?
I mispelled the pronunciation for Mazarine: the "a" should be like the one in "at" and the ending is apparently a little up for interpretation when used as a first name.
From dictionary.com "maz-uh-reen, maz*-uh-reen, -rin" (I guess I put my Z's and h's in the wrong places to but it doesnt sound different in my head...if that makes sense) &"maz" is bolded.
If someone has a definitive answer then please share, until then I guess this is sort of "toe may toe" "toe mah toe". I will say this name is officially too confusing to ever use for me but it still sounds pretty.
I mispelled the pronunciation for Mazarine: the "a" should be like the one in "at" and the ending is apparently a little up for interpretation when used as a first name.
From dictionary.com "maz-uh-reen, maz*-uh-reen, -rin" (I guess I put my Z's and h's in the wrong places to but it doesnt sound different in my head...if that makes sense) &"maz" is bolded.
If someone has a definitive answer then please share, until then I guess this is sort of "toe may toe" "toe mah toe". I will say this name is officially too confusing to ever use for me but it still sounds pretty.
1
Marieve - 2. This looks like it should be pronounced muh-REEV, and I really dislike smushes in general.
Bérengère -2. Would be impossible in an English-speaking country, and reminds me of the restaurant chain Le Boulanger.
Ombeline -2. Flat-out bizarre to my ears.
Aubeline -1. Waaaay too close to aubergine.
Nadège -2. This looks like it should be pronounced NAH-dedj (like hedge), and it really doesn't seem like a name to me.
Mazarine -5. Hmm. It could definitely grow on me, but am not sure how you're getting "meh" from "Maz". Additionally, I keep reading it as mezzanine.
Josiane -7. I like it very much, but you would never get the "zh" pronunciation in English.
Argider -0. This gets an automatic 0 because it's a boy's name (and a really harsh and masculine looking one at that).
Bérengère -2. Would be impossible in an English-speaking country, and reminds me of the restaurant chain Le Boulanger.
Ombeline -2. Flat-out bizarre to my ears.
Aubeline -1. Waaaay too close to aubergine.
Nadège -2. This looks like it should be pronounced NAH-dedj (like hedge), and it really doesn't seem like a name to me.
Mazarine -5. Hmm. It could definitely grow on me, but am not sure how you're getting "meh" from "Maz". Additionally, I keep reading it as mezzanine.
Josiane -7. I like it very much, but you would never get the "zh" pronunciation in English.
Argider -0. This gets an automatic 0 because it's a boy's name (and a really harsh and masculine looking one at that).
This message was edited 10/21/2011, 11:49 PM
1
Mazarine Pronunciation, etc...
I have Mazarine all wrong and I don't honestly know why, I was going through lots of names and trying to figure out how to type probunciations out then decided to cut & paste from a site, I think I just stopped paying attention. On a use note: I think Marieve had French Canadian roots I heard it from a friend, I don't mind if it's a smoosh. I just think these are interesting names to consider.
I have Mazarine all wrong and I don't honestly know why, I was going through lots of names and trying to figure out how to type probunciations out then decided to cut & paste from a site, I think I just stopped paying attention. On a use note: I think Marieve had French Canadian roots I heard it from a friend, I don't mind if it's a smoosh. I just think these are interesting names to consider.
1
Marieve* - I give this one a 8 or 9, meaning I love it. I think it can be used in US and won't stand out as some weird Euro name. I think it's a very beautiful French name. This is the first time I've seen it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Bérengère* - I'm not sure on how to pronounce this one. If someone could be further help with pronouncing it, I would appreciate it. I rate this a 4 because of the problem with pronouning it. What I could pronounce I didn't like and I don't care much for the look of it.
Ombeline* - I give this a rating of 6. It's okay. I don't entirely like the sound of it. The look of it is a bit funny to me. I think it works better as a middle name.
Aubeline - I give this a 7 1/2. This one is much better then Ombeline.
Nadège - I rate this a 7. It's okay. I like it fine. It's not easy to pronounce it by just looking at it for English speaking people.
Mazarine* - I give this a rating of 8. I like this one a lot. It's one of the prettiest -ine ending names that i've ever seen. It has a nice flowing sound that I think would work in France and US.
Josiane* - This one's a 7. I don't think this name would work in the US. No one would pronounce it.
*Argider - I rate this a 1. I don't care for it at all. I find nothing appealing about it.
I was wondering why French names?
Bérengère* - I'm not sure on how to pronounce this one. If someone could be further help with pronouncing it, I would appreciate it. I rate this a 4 because of the problem with pronouning it. What I could pronounce I didn't like and I don't care much for the look of it.
Ombeline* - I give this a rating of 6. It's okay. I don't entirely like the sound of it. The look of it is a bit funny to me. I think it works better as a middle name.
Aubeline - I give this a 7 1/2. This one is much better then Ombeline.
Nadège - I rate this a 7. It's okay. I like it fine. It's not easy to pronounce it by just looking at it for English speaking people.
Mazarine* - I give this a rating of 8. I like this one a lot. It's one of the prettiest -ine ending names that i've ever seen. It has a nice flowing sound that I think would work in France and US.
Josiane* - This one's a 7. I don't think this name would work in the US. No one would pronounce it.
*Argider - I rate this a 1. I don't care for it at all. I find nothing appealing about it.
I was wondering why French names?
This message was edited 10/21/2011, 11:18 PM
1
I grew up here but have a lot of family and friends in France, we spend a lot of time there and eventually I would like to move :)
For the record I would most likely use one of these names as a mn, unless something is easily understood and flows well in English and French, I would not have it be their first name.
I found this on forvo so you can hear the pronunciation of Berengere.
http://www.forvo.com/word/b%C3%A9reng%C3%A8re/#fr
For the record I would most likely use one of these names as a mn, unless something is easily understood and flows well in English and French, I would not have it be their first name.
I found this on forvo so you can hear the pronunciation of Berengere.
http://www.forvo.com/word/b%C3%A9reng%C3%A8re/#fr
1
Thanks for the site. I heard it and still can't pronounce it. I suck.
1
I cant pronounce certain words to save my life, "caerulean" like the color drives me crazy...most of these are just pretty but not very usable names for most anyone :/
1
I think a lot of these names are very pretty and some of them would be very hard to pull off as a actual person. That doesn't mean we can't have fun with them! :) I enjoyed these names. They're all new to me so it was exciting to see them! I didn't know there were any new names for me to find.
1
I promise some of these will be new :)
Here is an awesome site http://legitbabenames.wordpress.com/ I have found so many new names on here and lots of info I didnt know about names I was already familiar with.
If you like French names you would probably like aufeminin.com or http://www.prenoms.com but you would need a translator if you dont know French.
Here is an awesome site http://legitbabenames.wordpress.com/ I have found so many new names on here and lots of info I didnt know about names I was already familiar with.
If you like French names you would probably like aufeminin.com or http://www.prenoms.com but you would need a translator if you dont know French.
1
Marieve - I'm not a big fan of composite names but I like the sound of this one, and it has a sweet feeling. I don't really like the way it looks, however.
Bérangère - I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of "B" names on girls or boys. I think the meaning is neat, however -- female names with war or weapon-associated meanings have always intrigued me.
Ombeline - I'm not a fan of many O names either, but I like this better than Bérangère. I don't find the "Omb" sound very attractive. However, it reminds me of the bright oranges and yellows of autumn, which is nice imagery.
Aubeline - The "Aube" part of the name seems so masculine, but the suffix is definitely feminine. So many conflicting feelings! So I'm not sure about this one.
Nadège - It's interesting, but not really my style. Admittedly, it reminds me of underwear for some reason. I prefer Nadine.
Mazarine - Oh, I really want to like this, but too many other words pop into my head when I read it -- mezzanine, magazine, etc. It is completely new to me, however, and it has a lovely meaning, so perhaps it'll grow on me. It's so vibrant and diverse, too -- makes me think of an old stained glass window.
Josiane - Josiane would work well in America since it has the most straightforward pronunciation of these names. However, when it comes to French variants of Josephine, I prefer Zéphine. (Actually a diminutive -- Victor Hugo used it in Les Misérables).
Argider - I used to like this quite a lot, so it's too much of a boys' name to me; I can't see it as a feminine name.
Bérangère - I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of "B" names on girls or boys. I think the meaning is neat, however -- female names with war or weapon-associated meanings have always intrigued me.
Ombeline - I'm not a fan of many O names either, but I like this better than Bérangère. I don't find the "Omb" sound very attractive. However, it reminds me of the bright oranges and yellows of autumn, which is nice imagery.
Aubeline - The "Aube" part of the name seems so masculine, but the suffix is definitely feminine. So many conflicting feelings! So I'm not sure about this one.
Nadège - It's interesting, but not really my style. Admittedly, it reminds me of underwear for some reason. I prefer Nadine.
Mazarine - Oh, I really want to like this, but too many other words pop into my head when I read it -- mezzanine, magazine, etc. It is completely new to me, however, and it has a lovely meaning, so perhaps it'll grow on me. It's so vibrant and diverse, too -- makes me think of an old stained glass window.
Josiane - Josiane would work well in America since it has the most straightforward pronunciation of these names. However, when it comes to French variants of Josephine, I prefer Zéphine. (Actually a diminutive -- Victor Hugo used it in Les Misérables).
Argider - I used to like this quite a lot, so it's too much of a boys' name to me; I can't see it as a feminine name.
1
I am on the fence to about Mazarine for the connection to Francois Mazarine and it makes me think of mezzanine. I wouldnt name a girl Argider either but the name intrigues me, I'm a big fan of Aristide and it seems equally strong. I really dont care for B names either but for some reason I love Bérangère, its just so strong and elegant.
1
I meant Francois Mitterrand's daughter Mazarine lol...I think its bedtime, Im too tired to think straight.
1
Marieve is neat, I've never seen it before. Would it maybe be spelled Mariève?
Bérgenère is so great. Love the meaning.
Ombeline is new to me, and awesome. I found the meaning 'brilliant spirit' on a French website.
I dislike Aubeline, but like Aube. Also the similar Aude.
Nadège is so beautiful. Like Nadia + neige ('snow' in French).
Mazarine is so cool, it's very Mitterand for me still.
I don't like Josiane too much. Joséphine is fabulous, though.
My instinct is soft G (zh) in Argider. My mom's surname is Basque and contains a G followed by a U to make it hard (the Spanish way). Argider is handsome, it reminds me of silver because of the root 'argent.' A bit unwearable in an English speaking place though.
Bérgenère is so great. Love the meaning.
Ombeline is new to me, and awesome. I found the meaning 'brilliant spirit' on a French website.
I dislike Aubeline, but like Aube. Also the similar Aude.
Nadège is so beautiful. Like Nadia + neige ('snow' in French).
Mazarine is so cool, it's very Mitterand for me still.
I don't like Josiane too much. Joséphine is fabulous, though.
My instinct is soft G (zh) in Argider. My mom's surname is Basque and contains a G followed by a U to make it hard (the Spanish way). Argider is handsome, it reminds me of silver because of the root 'argent.' A bit unwearable in an English speaking place though.
1
Youre right about Mariève, I forgot the accent mark! As for Ombeline, I have seen the reference youre talking about and LOVED it but most French & US sites have a gem related definition so Im going with that. I know what you mean by Mazarine, thats why I'm not sure about Ségolène, I love the name but it has political ties and I like to avoid that sort of thing.
1