Not TRYING to be difficult...

Rolamarie · May 2010

So I'm absolutely 100% set on the name Genevieve Isabelle. I think it's beautiful. But lately I've been getting a lot of comments about how it's difficult to spell/ pronounce/ hard for her to learn/ uppity.

I do live in a fairly rural area, but my question is this: Is it really that bad, and I just don't realize it because I happen to speak French? Or are people just being too close-minded?

lovemytwoboys · May 2010

I think it's fine (really pretty, actually!).

My husband made some similar comments when we were considering Zachary, and that isn't even that long or hard to spell. If she goes by her full name (and not a nickname), of course it may take her a little longer to learn to write her name, but I don't think it's that big of a deal. It wouldn't stop me from using a name I loved.

sweet1600s · May 2010

It's a beautiful name! Although, I happen to speak French also, so maybe I just don't realise how uppity it sounds?

It's not difficult to spell, they're both names that have been in use for a long time and you're using the traditional spellings. It might be hard for a native Thai or Japanese speaker to pronounce, but I can't imagine it would be difficult for an American, unless you're going for a true French pronunciation. It might be a little harder for her to learn to spell than, say, Jane, but plenty of kids have names that long or longer, and they learn to spell them just fine.

I think it's a gorgeous name choice and the people you're hearing negative comments from are just crazy.

lilygirl · May 2010

sweet1600s:

I think it's a gorgeous name choice and the people you're hearing negative comments from are just crazy.

I agree. Use it!

BelleBaby · May 2010

I like it. I have a friend with a Genevieve Alexis.

krogers0905 · May 2010

lovemytwoboys:

I think it's fine (really pretty, actually!).

My husband made some similar comments when we were considering Zachary, and that isn't even that long or hard to spell. If she goes by her full name (and not a nickname), of course it may take her a little longer to learn to write her name, but I don't think it's that big of a deal. It wouldn't stop me from using a name I loved.

Don't let this stand in your way. My daughter's first name has 11 letters and she could spell and write it by the time she was 3

maltwin1 · May 2010

I think its a very pretty name! I can see where people are coming from as far as hard to spell...I don't know how to spell it myself, but as long as you do that is what matters.

The comments you are getting are probably just coming from the fact the first and middle name are both very long and french. Its "a lot of name" but if you love it then that is what's important.

J+R · May 2010

I think it's a beautiful name, but I wouldnt have a clue how to spell it... LOL. People will learn.

kcl22 · May 2010

I think it's very pretty. I have a few friends named Genevieve, I used to forget how to spell it but I used the trusty old 'i before e except after c yadda yadda' elementary school rule and I remembered.

Def don't let that stop you, its a very pretty name!

StarryEyed06 · May 2010

I think it's a beautiful name, but I wouldnt have a clue how to spell it... LOL. People will learn.

I agree with this 100%. People who will be close to her will figure it out. I wouldn't let something like that stop you from naming DD that.
BTW-Super adorable!

krissyh21 · May 2010

Honestly, you would have to live under a rock not to know how to pronounce Genevieve - or even to spell it for that matter! It is a beautiful name! And rocket scientists have been created because parents didn't limit their children to what they could learn!

purplegirl_2008 · May 2010

I think it is a beautiful name! It isn't as easy as say "Jane" but people will over that. Also, here is another though, some people have crazy long last names that their children have a difficult time learning to spell and there isn't anything that can be done about that. I am sure people with longer last names would opt for a shorter first and middle name. On the other hand my last name is for letters, one syllable and super common so we are looking for a longer more unique name for our child.

newlywed26 · May 2010

Bonjour! Je parle francais aussi. Je suis ne a Quebec. J'aime bien le nom. La raison pour laquelle les gens te donnent ses reactions est peut-etre a cause que le nom est un peu ancien? J'aime le nom Evelyn. C'est un nom anglais/francophone mais beaucoup de gens me disent que ca fait ancien. Donc on continue a faire des recherches.

mbk5004 · May 2010

Haha, I havent taken french for several years, but I was able to read and understand that previous paragraph, woo hoo!

Love the name Genevieve !!

newlywed26 · May 2010

mbk5004:

Haha, I havent taken french for several years, but I was able to read and understand that previous paragraph, woo hoo!

Love the name Genevieve !!

Haha! Yeah I grew up in the U.S., but my mom's entire side is French Canadian. Love Genevieve as well. Very pretty and classic, but I also know that some will find that old sounding. I've gotten that type of feedback for the name Evelyn.

hotmama82 · May 2010

Rolamarie:

So I'm absolutely 100% set on the name Genevieve Isabelle. I think it's beautiful. But lately I've been getting a lot of comments about how it's difficult to spell/ pronounce/ hard for her to learn/ uppity.

I do live in a fairly rural area, but my question is this: Is it really that bad, and I just don't realize it because I happen to speak French? Or are people just being too close-minded?

Yes!

I think the name is gorgeous! My niece is named Genevieve and nickname Jenny for short. Never heard any negativity towards it!

mjj13579 · May 2010

It is a pretty name. I know a couple that named their daughter the same (well, same first name) and she goes by Geni ...pronounced "Jenny" now. Which is cute.

mr&mrswelch · May 2010

No, it's fine. She and others will learn to spell it with few problems.

Under.the.Rose · May 2010

I don't think it's uppity at all! I also wouldn't worry about the spelling issue... most people know how to spell Genevieve and if they don't, they can learn.

Your child will learn it super fast because, if they're like most children I've known, once they learn their name they'll want to write it on every piece of paper they can get their hands on... backwards letters and all! hehe

MrsMeMo · May 2010

I don't care for the name Genevieve because to me it sounds pretentious, and I think Isabella and Isabelle are both way overused.

Putting aside my feelings for each name, I think it's a bit of a mouth full.

Natsgirl · May 2010

I think its a great name!!

PunkyBooster · May 2010

I don't speak a lick of French and think the people around you must be stupid if they can't figure out how to say Genevieve Isabelle. I mean, come on!

klafle3 · May 2010

I think it is fine! I really like the name and it is not uppity, imo.

bfcake69 · May 2010

sweet1600s:

It's a beautiful name! Although, I happen to speak French also, so maybe I just don't realise how uppity it sounds?

It's not difficult to spell, they're both names that have been in use for a long time and you're using the traditional spellings. It might be hard for a native Thai or Japanese speaker to pronounce, but I can't imagine it would be difficult for an American, unless you're going for a true French pronunciation. It might be a little harder for her to learn to spell than, say, Jane, but plenty of kids have names that long or longer, and they learn to spell them just fine.

I think it's a gorgeous name choice and the people you're hearing negative comments from are just crazy.

Love your baby's name in your siggy...... Right now we're leaning toward Aoife Grace for our baby and I got a lot of neg comments on that!!!

CourtneyRDH · May 2010

I'm very good friends with a Genevieve and my aunt is named Genevieve. They've never complained about their names. Go for it! Nice choice.

There are a million Elizabeths and Katherines who will take just as along as your daughter to learn how to spell their names.

MelodyKate · May 2010

Genevieve is the correct spelling.... if someone is un-cultured enough to have an issue with it, that is their problem. What are you supposed to do, spell it Jenuhveev or something? Come on!

HappyMrsK · May 2010

I think they are being closed minded! I think it's a beautiful name.

zoe_cat · May 2010

It's a great name! Use it!

KINZYD · May 2010

I think it's a beautiful name! I don't speak a lick of French and can pronounce it just fine. If you love it, go for it!

msmerymac · May 2010

Other people are being too close minded. Watch out - they might call her Gen/Jen. Unless you're okay with that.

FWIW, I like it. You can always tell people you're waiting until she's born to name her, you know!

kloesk · May 2010

i don't speak french and I can pronounce it just fine!

sweet1600s · May 2010

bfcake69:
sweet1600s:

It's a beautiful name! Although, I happen to speak French also, so maybe I just don't realise how uppity it sounds?
It's not difficult to spell, they're both names that have been in use for a long time and you're using the traditional spellings. It might be hard for a native Thai or Japanese speaker to pronounce, but I can't imagine it would be difficult for an American, unless you're going for a true French pronunciation. It might be a little harder for her to learn to spell than, say, Jane, but plenty of kids have names that long or longer, and they learn to spell them just fine.
I think it's a gorgeous name choice and the people you're hearing negative comments from are just crazy.
Love your baby's name in your siggy...... Right now we're leaning toward Aoife Grace for our baby and I got a lot of neg comments on that!!!

Thank you! Aoife is a beautiful name, one of my best friends is an Aoife! I've gotten some *ahem* interesting comments on Aoibh?n from some people in the States (I'm staying with my mom here through pregnancy and a couple months after she's born), but oh well. My name is ?ilis(pronounced AY-lish), and I spent a lot of time in America growing up, no one could pronounce or spell my name, but it didn't scar me for life

9/13/08 · May 2010

My name is Genevieve and most people cannot spell it, but it is not a big deal. I love my name and I am glad that I have a unique name. I also did not have a problem learning how to spell my name. A lot of people actually know how to prounce the name in french too, so your DD will have men speaking to her in a bad french accent when she gets older. lol

Danalyn13 · May 2010

Its a gorgeous, feminine name. Don't listen to them!

vegetarian_chica · May 2010

It's beautiful. Don't listen to people.

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