wdyt of Gretchen?

pugznploons

we have been throwing this name around a bit, dh likes German names as our last name is German (my maiden name is too now that I think about it.) 

I've only ever known one Gretchen, friends called her Gretch.  Are there any other nicknames we haven't thought of? 

I'm still pretty positive we are having a boy but doesn't hurt to have a girl list on backup  

dairygirl19

I adore Gretchen! It's a fave of mine.

H however hates it and all he thinks is "Wretched." Not to scare you away from the name, but I know that's what it sounds like to quite a few people.

fish000

i looove this name. I know a Greta and it is the most perfect name for her. Beautiful, classic and not overdone. Think also Gretel. 

AlabamaMamma224

love it!

 

InlovewithJHK

love it!

HannahO28

I'm always torn on Gretchen--I think the "etch" sound is a little harsh, but I've always felt like one cute little girl named Gretchen would be all that it would take to make me LOVE it.

I want to like it, and I think it has potential for me to like it some day. But for now, I just don't.

LuckyMissus

Adore!!  Don't know of any other nicknames besides Gretch.

mommygrams0730

i watch too much tv...specifically too much reality tv (lol) so i immediately thought of gretchen from real housewives of orange county. i don't think it's a bad name, but i like pp's idea of Greta better.

mer313131

I have a friend named Gretchen and she doesn't go by a NN at all, although I know her best friend calls her "G" sometimes.

It's NMS but as far as strong German names go, it's not bad.

Sawyerplus1

fish000:

i looove this name. I know a Greta and it is the most perfect name for her. Beautiful, classic and not overdone. Think also Gretel. 

To me these are all very different names. I love Greta, seriously dislike Gretel, and hate Gretchen! Gretchen makes me think of the word 'retch', as in 'to barf'.... 

salt78

I love it.

cloud9climber

I much prefer Greta.  Like a pp said, the "etch" part is too harsh IMO.  GL! 

MelodyKate

I want to like it, but I just don't. Something about the GR sound rather than the etch sound. I'm all for German names though- what about Heidi, Michaela, or Katerina? I also think Bridget flows well with German last names, even though it is not technically the German form of that name.

Moneypenny424

mer313131:

I have a friend named Gretchen and she doesn't go by a NN at all, although I know her best friend calls her "G" sometimes.

It's NMS but as far as strong German names go, it's not bad.

All of this.  None of the Gretchens I know have NNs.

It isn't my favorite name.

brookelynpaisley

I love it

alliejo725

I love Gretchen. I think it's darling. But DH would not be convinced.

BrideBuddies

Love love love it.  If we'd had a girl, she would have likely been Gretchen Matilda.   Good classic name that's not overused.

a_m_brown

I really like the name Gretchen.  I have a friend with that name and she used to go by Gert/Gertie, which isn't my cup of tea, but it suited her.

Pictures29

Love Gretchen, but I don't really like the NN Gretch. I would call her by her full name.

karen_loy

I don't like it, both sounds Gr and etch sound harsh to me, and even more when they're both in the same name

jen812

I love the name too. I suggested it to my H before we knew what we were having, he hated it. I guess you either love it or don't.

FrecklesInside

dairygirl19:

I adore Gretchen! It's a fave of mine.

H however hates it and all he thinks is "Wretched." Not to scare you away from the name, but I know that's what it sounds like to quite a few people.

I'm one of the ones who hears wretched. Sorry, not a big fan. I do have a coworker named Gretchen though and ever since meeting one it has warmed a bit - still not that into it though.

shellybird101

Cute!

bobbyme

I love it.

Brie2010

I love it.  It would be on our list if it didn't clash horribly with our last name.

ObLaDi

dairygirl19:

H however hates it and all he thinks is "Wretched." Not to scare you away from the name, but I know that's what it sounds like to quite a few people.

I feel the exact same way.

I really like Greta, though. 

MrsTownsend8136

I love Gretchen! That is my mothers name:) She doesnt have any nicknames, other than my Oma(grandma) calling her Gretch sometimes. My mom did work at Island of Adventure and around christmas time some co-workers would call her "Grinch"en, because the holiday stuff was all about Dr. Suess. She didnt mind!lol

pugznploons

great feedback!  thanks everyone  

my #1 girls name is Kate but dh thinks it's too simple (I say classic!) and he does have a point that it doesn't flow well with our last name, boo.  whatever it will be a boy anyway, i know it   

jolynn326

HannahO28:

I'm always torn on Gretchen--I think the "etch" sound is a little harsh, but I've always felt like one cute little girl named Gretchen would be all that it would take to make me LOVE it.

I want to like it, and I think it has potential for me to like it some day. But for now, I just don't.

This is me... For now I just hear wretch. I greatly prefer Greta. 

Annie984

I want to love it, but it sounds a little harsh to me.  I do *like* it, but it's not one of my favorites. 

rebeccaparis

For some reason Gretchen makes me think of wretched ( No idea why), but I am fond of Greta for short.

artygirl

It is interesting to see how many people adore this name.  I do not care for it at all.  I think it is one of the grossest sounding names.  It is so harsh and reminds me of crotch.  I think Greta is a 1,000 times prettier.