Stuck for a girls name, making me very upset now!!

[ACM88]

A few weeks ago I posted a thread about the name Jean for a girl. It was met with lots of lovely positive remarks, which made me feel good about the name, but when I sit and think about it, I'm not at all convinced.

My OH suggested the name, he loves it, and it has huge significance. My beloved nans names, and baby is due on her birthday. I get really annoyed and defensive when people critise it, but I'm not sure if I'm honest. I've not mentioned name choice to any friends or family yet, and I'm sure it will be sneered at, at least to begin with.

Don't really want to go back to drawing board, because OH and I don't agree on many girls names. He likes Michelle (?), Judith, and Greta. I like Nancy, April, and Evelyn, but these are met with grunts and snorts. Feel like crying. I don't want to chose a name I don't love, and then regret it! Any advice? Genius name suggestions?

[needsomenaminghelp]

Jean was also my granny's name and I think it's lovely…not sure if this is your style but how about picking a middle name that also begins with a J that way if you decide down the road that it doesn't suit her in the way you hoped or if she decides she doesn't like it she could go by "JJ" I know of someone who did something similar and it really works :-) understand if it's not to your taste but thought it worth suggesting

[jazzyjenbo]

If your not completely convinced maybe use Jean as your baby girls middle name?
Of all those choices i like evelyn jean..
Afew suggestions (based on the granny chic names on your list)
Ivy jean
Rose jean
Mabel jean
Lynette jean

I like
Melanie jean

Uv written names dh likes and what u like are there any u both like?

[ACM88]

Thanks for replies- short answer to that question, no our tastes don't overlap at all haha we don't agree on girls names at all, Jean was the only one that I could consider, and I think it's mostly down to the sentimental value.

It's so tough!!

[Mim78]

Jean Evelyn is nice.

Of your names i like Evelyn best.

Of dh's only greta a plausibly ok.

[ACM88]

I like ivy and rose but they were also a no

[confusedfrillysock]

I know a ruby jean - she's cool

[ACM88]

Ruby Jean- I like it, will suggest to OH!!!

[confusedfrillysock]

I also like Nancy and Aprille

[chickydoo]

What about Jeanie or Jeannie
(Jean could be on BC)
Something like Jeanie Grace Rose is pretty

[Pangaea]

Jean is beautiful!

Lots of typically middle names, like May, Rose etc are run of the mill, until you use them as first names. I feel like Jean falls into this category.

Jean is a very very welcome change to current naming trends. Hundreds of little Evies about.

[needsomenaminghelp]

Ruby Jean is lovely :-)

If OH doesn't like Rose how about Rosie? Similar but different enough perhaps? Rosie Jean has a nice ring to it too :-)

[littlejohnnydory]

I have a Nancy. We've had so many comments about what a lovely name it is and how much it suits dd.

[ACM88]

pangaea that's very true- and I like Jean for that, I had an uncommon name, and have never actually met anyone with my name although I hear it more now than when I was at school! But I loved that I was the only one so to speak.

I am just not sure at all!! Some days I feel at peace with it, other days I really dislike it.

[Squtternutbaush]

It sounds like you both like classic names rather than modern so how about Francesca, Tabitha, Abigail, Allana, Christina or Emily?

I'm no good with this naming thing though (DD is Cara) so could be way off the mark :o

[ACM88]

Definitely like more traditional, nothing too flowery that it wouldn't suit a grumpy teenager, or an adult. But also not too common- Jean fits criteria perfectly, yet I'm still not jumping for joy!!

[nilbyname]

Jane, nn Janey
Jessica
Leisle
Lyra
Maggie
Cora

[blackandwhiteandredallover]

I have a Polly Jean, I love it, the names go together so well. Jean was my mum's name but I do think it works better as a middle name.

[cheesecakemom]

I agree Ruby Jean is lovely!

[ICanTotallyDance]

I really like Jean. I think I remember your original thread.

If you can't settle on Jean, here are some more suggestions that I think might fit with you and your husbands list:

Elizabeth
Winnifred
Vivian
Constance
Beatrice
Phoebe
Julia

Or for a short, classic name, how about Mary? Grace, Alice, Lucy and Claire (or variation thereof) are all also popular, classic names.

If you like Jean but want a variation, how about Jeanne (French), Janine, Joanne, Joanna, Jeannette, Gina, Jane or Joan?

Jean was often used as a short name for other names, usually Jane (admittedly this was few centuries ago) so you could always name her something else and nickname her Jean/Jeanie.

Personally I think you should stick with Jean if it's the only name you and your DH have agreed on. If you give your DD a more popular/common middle name she can always use her middle name if she ends up not liking her first name.

However, I have found that children grow into their names and you can't really imagine them being called anything else. I imagine that if you do name your DD Jean, in a few years you will associate the name with your DD and so love it lots even if you have a few misgivings now.

[ElizabethMedora]

Jean is lovely - especially little Jeanie!

I like all of the names you & your DH like apart from Michelle. Doesn't seem to me that you have that different naming styles?

I felt doubts about DC2 name, we went with it because it was the only one we could agree on & the baby needed a name - it's also a 'marmite' name. Feel fine with it now.

[Florrieboo]

I agree that children do grow into their names, DD is called a name that was DH's first choice, it wasn't mine, but, I didn't feel strongly about any other name either so we went with it. 2.5 years later I cannot imagine her being called anything else. I grew to love it as part of her iykwim?

[InSummer]

I would stick with Jean, it's lovely.

Or...
Ava Jean. I think that's meeting somewhere in the middle of your OH's Greta and your April.

[Hedgehog1977]

I would stick with Jean. If you both like it and it has a family connection then it's a perfect choice, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks! Jeanie is very cute for a little one. x

[rockybalboa]

Stick with Jean, it's lovely and the significance of it means so much. Jeanie is a cute nn. With my younger two DC I wasn't entirely sure about their names to start with but they def grew into them.

[wonderpants]

I know a Jeanne which feels a prettier spelling!
Never be swayed by other peoples opinions, it is one of my regrets in life with DD2!