Monarch

Helenahhandbasket

In the MN spot.  For a girl.

The thread about another way to honor a grandmother w/o using the name got me thinking.  My g- gma's name was Frances.  I was super close to her, but she already has a bunch of namesakes-- my mother's middle is Francesca, her sister (my aunt) is Frances (FN) and my cousin just had a boy and named him Francis.  I always thought I would use some form of her name, but H is hesitant because he always says there's "Franceses everywhere."  (In my fam)

It was pretty well known that my GG was obsessed with butterflies-- Monarchs particularly-- so my family would get the reference for sure.  I wouldn't care if others didn't "get" the reference, and if anyone asked, honestly I wouldn't mind because it would give me a chance to talk about my GG.

WDYT?  Too out there/ hippyish?

Her maiden name and married name are both unusable multi syllabic Italian messes, and she had no middle (I asked when I was pregnant with DD).

neverblushed

I mean, it's a middle name, so you'd have a little latitude.  And you have a great story behind it.

I would be worried that it would sound pretentious.

Ceridwen21

Yep, I think you can get away with it for a MN. I'd prefer seeing a quirky MN with a nice story than a filler MN.

Empireceo

Helena, usually I love your names but I have to say, oh honey no on this one.

I see what you're getting at but Monarch is like using King or Queen as a name to me, even if you don't intend it that way.  I'd side-eye the shit out of someone who did that.  

Again, it pains me to disagree with you!

mh89

I like the family connection, but I think of royalty before butterfly when I hear Monarch. It's like using the name "King" or "Your highness". It's the middle name so I'll give it a pass, but if you can think of another way to honor her I'd go with it.

NerdyLucy

I actually think it's a good idea.  As pps have said, you can do this kind of thing easier with a middle name than a first name, and you've already said that you don't care if others get it.  It'll be special to you and the family. 

 

If I saw a child with the middle name Monarch, my first thought would be, "I wonder if that's a family name."

 

No side-eye from me.

KatFCo

My mother's name is Frances, so my MN is Francine.

Maybe something that means butterfly, if you want to go that route? I like this website: https://www.ourbabynamer.com/search-baby-names-results.html

Helenahhandbasket

Oh dayum!  I didn't even think of Monarch/ Monarchy! 

That is sort of a turnoff-- so glad this board exists to point out things like that.

I am going to check out the list of names that mean butterfly-- so thank you KatFCo!

queenbone

Joy2611 said:

At first glance, I get a vibe from it that is similar to when I see a girl named "Princess."

Monarch butterflies didn't even cross my mind.  I would like it aside from that problem.  Most people will take it a "regal" way instead of a "butterfly" way.

This. I assumed this was going to be a FB horrors kind of post, a boy named Monarch.

FakeFinn

Not a fan due to what other pps already pointed out (king/queen/princess etc). I do love the sentiment behind the name. Do you have a certain heritage? Perhaps you can use the word butterfly in that language? ETA: fixed typo.

Empireceo

Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish) has always been a GP name for me!

Helenahhandbasket

Empireceo said:

Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish) has always been a GP name for me!

 

Super pretty--and bonus-- DH is Spanish.

Scarlett&Gatsby

It doesn't bother me at all in the MN spot. I do like PP suggestion of Mariposa, though.

queenbone

Helenahhandbasket said:

Empireceo said:

Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish) has always been a GP name for me

 

Super pretty--and bonus-- DH is Spanish.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

FakeFinn

queenbone said:

Helenahhandbasket said:

Empireceo said:

Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish) has always been a GP name for me

 

Super pretty--and bonus-- DH is Spanish.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Love it!

apc1929

I love the story and the connection and it gets a huge thumbs up here.   

MannaPants

Definitely loving the Mariposa idea! I also kind of like just Butterfly. Maybe a little out there, but I'm a big Gone with the Wind fan, so I think of Butterfly McQueen

aeh72

I wasn't sure when I read your post title if you were referring to "royalty" or the butterfly.  I'm relieved it's the butterfly!  I actually like it, knowing the reasoning/history behind it.  I do, think, people might assume the royalty angle first so as long as that doesn't bother you, I think it's a fun and touching way to honor your grandmother.

abbyful

Empireceo said:

Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish) has always been a GP name for me!

Love this! 

"Papillon" (pap-ee-yon) is French for butterfly, that could be an option too. 

Dr.Loretta

Still not a fan, even for the MN

Could you use Papillon or Mariposa instead? Those are the French and Spanish words for butterfly.

Scarlett&Gatsby

abbyful said:

Empireceo said:

Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish) has always been a GP name for me!

Love this! 

"Papillon" (pap-ee-yon) is French for butterfly, that could be an option too. 

The Papillon is a breed of toy dog, though.

Dr.Loretta

dup

abbyful

Scarlett&Gatsby said:

abbyful said:

Empireceo said:

Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish) has always been a GP name for me!

Love this! 

"Papillon" (pap-ee-yon) is French for butterfly, that could be an option too. 

The Papillon is a breed of toy dog, though.

Yep (I have 2 of them!), they are named that because their ears look like butterflies.  I know someone who's last name is Papillon.