Ciel, Anouk, Anya, etc…?

[sparklingharbour]

Hi, I am expecting a girl and am finding it hard to find a name I like enough, if you know what I mean. There are plenty of names I like, but I can't find the one.

What are your opinions on the these names?

Ciel
Anouk
Anya
Inez
Annelise
Seraphine

I am veering towards Ciel at the moment, but it is so unusual (to me at least) that I would like to gauge reactions. I love nature names, and the combination of the French meaning (sky) and the soft flow of the word is appealing. I think some people will pronounce it Seal rather than See-elle, but don't really care. I have a very humdrum name and it is often misspelt and it's no biggie.

Thanks in advance.

[MrsLettuce]

Love Inez and Anya!

Ciel is nice but as you say it'll be consistently mispronounced as Seal which could well be good teasing fodder.

[sparklingharbour]

Thanks, I love Inez and Anya too, but they don't have the "meaning" right for me. Which isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Inez means pure, and Anya means grace. The sky/heavens trumps both of those for me .

Are there really that many people who wouldn't know how to pronounce Ciel I wonder? I learned French in school so the correct pronunciation comes very naturally to me.

[MrsLettuce]

How about Miel (honey) or Miellé (honeyed / of honey)

[MrsLettuce]

Astrid!

[rosierelala]

I love ciel! and I knew exactly how to say it . It reminds me of a line from a Rimbaud poem. And inez is gorgeous,makes me think willowy, chic french supermodel/actress.
Id never comment on baby name thread. But go for it, if u like it. Dont overthink follow your gut.

[MrsLettuce]

(oh, I could have sworn Astrid was a 'heavens' name -misremembered it seems)

[sparklingharbour]

Meal? . Mielle does flow beautifully doesn't it? Love Astrid, but it is the "As" bit puts me off!! Still prefer Ciel though!

Thanksrosierelala! What's the Rimbaud poem? I love Inez now, it is mostly the "pure" meaning puts me off a bit. Just a bit though. Thanks for the encouragement. i named DD1 a very unusual name, which I'm sure a lot of people don't like, but I think it is beautiful and simple (sorry I can't say what it is as it is very identifying. Not that I am famous or anything.

[sparklingharbour]

I'm not particularly looking for a "sky" name by the way. Sorry for the confusion. I just like "nature" type names generally rather ones with religious connotations. Although ancient Goddess names are acceptable

[Angelto5]

Evangeline

[JollyGolightly]

Inez or Anouk from your list.

Other names on a nature theme...
Stella
Luna
Rowan
Aspen
Iris
Raven
Berry
Pearl

[JollyGolightly]

Celeste

[sparklingharbour]

I have considered Celeste as well, but it is a bit of an old-fashioned name to me as know a few people of my mother's generation with that name.
I like Estelle too (rather than Stella), and some of the other names mentioned.

But mainly I like the ones on my list so am looking for comments on those. Thanks though for other suggestions, don't want to be ungrateful.

[DramaAlpaca]

Umm - I think Ciel is a brand name in either Lidl or Aldi. It might not matter to you, but you might prefer to be aware in advance.

As for the rest of your list, I really like Seraphine. Estelle is lovely, too.

[bunnyfrance]

Ciel! is also an exclamation, meaning "heavens above"! You may want to avoid it....

[sparklingharbour]

Thanks for that info. Yes, tis good to know these things . Seraphine was a frontrunner for a long while, as I love the "fire meaning" (less keen on the angel association). But the simplicity of some of the others appeals a lot. Love simple names.

[DramaAlpaca]

Oops think I got it wrong - the brand name is Cien, not Ciel, sorry.

Please ignore me!

[sparklingharbour]

Sacre Bleu - how about that for a name

[sparklingharbour]

Phew, dramaalpaca (puts Ciel back to top of list)

[rosierelala]

Cant exactly remember the rimbaud poem reference. Id have to dig out the A level text from many moons ago.
I like all the names on your list, and miel/mielle is charming too.
Love the heavenly theme. How about estelle. Years ago I picked a persian name that meant star, but I didnt have a girl. Exdp was iranian hence the need for a name that meant something to both of us.
Enjoy planning and picking, there are so many lively unique choices out there.

[RiverTam]

there's an Anouk at DD's nursery (her mum is French I think). To me it seems like a very adult name, which of course is fine as she'll be an adult longer than she's a child, but, coupled with the fact that she's dressed in very 'grown up' styles and colours, just feels jarring to me.

[SuburbanRhonda]

Isn't Mielle a brand of kitchen appliances?

[MrsLettuce]

Miele is to notch electrical goods, yes.

[sparklingharbour]

Rosie Estelle is nice, but i think DH isn't too keen. What was the Persian name, if you don't mind saying?

Rivertam, Anouk (and Inez) aren't very childlike tis true, but I like their elegance.

[GreatAuntDinah]

If you spend any time at all in France then Ciel and Miel are really non-starters I'm afraid, they really sound weird, and not in a good way.

[burgatroyd]

Sela?
nameberry.com/babyname/Sela