Do you think it is appropriate to give a child a name that is from another language?

Question

My husband and I have chosen a name we like for our daughter on the way, however it is French. My husband was born and raised in Montreal and we picked the name to honor his late mother/heritage, however we have taken into consideration that it may be hard for people to pronounce and she would constantly be explaining it to people, as we live in a suburb of Chicago.

What do you think of Mireille Hélèn Deschanel?

Mireille is pronounced sort of like Meer-ay.

Answer 1

It is beautiful but what will your daughter feel like when she is 8 or 9 and correcting people on her own?

I have a neice named Elyss (pronounced Ellis) and she constantly has had to tell people her name up until High school when she gave up and had people call her Elly  - a nickname her parents HATE>  

Answer 2

I'm fluent in French, as it is my second language. So I find the names easy to pronounce, I have teachers and cousins with both of these names. I think they're beautiful names when they are pronounced correctly, but when people pronounce the names wrong without even giving the french accent a try, they sound horrible. Since you're living in Chicago, how many people do you think will ever pronounce her name right??....probably a very special few. So I would suggest rethinking her name, unless you always want her to have her name pronounced wrong!  Marie Helen or Mary-Elle Helen would be great alternitives to the name, they sound gorgeous prunounced in French, but they're easy to prounce in English and sound just as pretty! Hope this helps! =)

Answer 3

beautiful. dont worry about the pronunciations...people will get it eventually...do what u feel is right

Answer 4

Take a look at this site, it may be of some use to you.  

Answer 5

An option  would be to just make her middle name one that honors his mother and make her first name be one that is more recognizable and that the two of you like.  You could chose a name that has French roots, like Natalie or Olive or Michele.  Or you could switch the names and make her friend name Helen.

Answer 6

It is a bit difficult for those that don't know the language or lack the full understanding of it.  I can typically pronounce them but on first look I thought it was going to be pronounced - Meer-ee-elle.  Of course I also took German in High School lol.  But, if you raise her to teach others, it won't be so bad.  Once she gets to school she can learn to assume the mistake and walk up to her teachers the first day to be sure they know how to pronounce it or give a nickname she likes.  Your other option is to go with Hélèn Mireille Deschanel if you are too worried about it.

Good luck either way you go :)

Answer 7

I love Mireille. Also reminds me of Mireille Mathieu, the singer.

You're right about the pronunciation issue, but at least it's a traditional French name and not one of those crazy misspelled names. So go for, it. If anything you'll educate people a little about foreign naming traditions. :)

The only issue I'd have with it, is that it's kind of rhymey with your last name. Not 100%, but a little bit.

Answer 8

I think it's very pretty and if you love it you should go for it regardless of what other people think.

Answer 9

I think you should use a french name, however one that is easy to say in both languages.

Such as:

Chloe

Angeline

Marguerite

Martine

Antoinette

Josette

Josephine

Constance

Elodie

Henriette

Jacqueline

Margaux

Answer 10

i think it's a FABULOUS name...i would have pronounced it wrong...if ur absolutely in love w/ it, you have to be ready for the mispronunciations and teach your daughter how to POLITELY correct people and not come off s****. or pretentious :) thats the most important part

Answer 11

I am all for giving children interesting names even names from other languages. The only thing about that is no one is going to know how to pronounce it except you all and French people. I can see this driving her crazy one day. It's a pretty name, but I could not do that to my child. If you need help with names go to babynames.com go under "search for a baby name" and click on advanced search. There you can pick the gender and then nationality of French. It will give you TONS of French girl names. Good Luck.

Answer 12

Its a lovely name

though no one will know how to spell it or pronounce it from the spelling

You could always call her Rae for short

xx

Answer 13

If you are French, then giving your daughter a French name is showing off your heritage. It's beautiful! I love the name Mirieille. Americans need culture anyway. We're so caught up in English names.

Go for it!

Answer 14

I think its pretty although by sight I would have said Mir-e-ille sort of like Muriel, or Mary-elle type of sound. I think if you love the name use it. If the hassle of people pronouncing, and spelling it wrong a lot bothers you too much try finding a name with the same meaning, but that is a little easier to pronounce.

Answer 15

i think its great.

Answer 16

It's a pretty name. I'll be honest upon site of it I was pronouncing it Meer e elle...

Answer 17

It's your child name her what you want.  I think it's nice to use your husbands heritage to naming your daughter.  

Answer 18

First, while English is most widely spoken in the United States, we have no 'official' language, therefore it is not from another language.

Second, the United States is a melting pot of cultures, and you are honoring your child's heritage.  There is nothing wrong with that.

Third, it is a beautiful name and one that your daughter will be proud of.

Last, but not least-it is better than most of the contrived, nonsense names that some Americans name their children without regard to spelling, pronunciation, etc.

Go for it!  It will be as uncommon and beautiful as your daughter.

Answer 19

It's impractical. Most people I know with names from other languages actually immigrated here from countries that speak that language. I say honor your home ground and name your child something pronounceable... but to each their own.