Eloise and Adrian are expecting their first child imminently -- a surprise! If a boy, they have their name sorted. But for a girl, they're stumped.
Eloise writes: "We're both teachers so really struggle to find names we don't associate with students! However, we are still struggling and wanted some advice if you're happy to give it.
We don't know the gender of the baby yet but we have essentially decided on a boy's name: Aibne Keziah Ferguson (Surname). My husband is Scottish and I am half French so we're keen to include these elements when we can, and ensure the names aren't too commonly used.
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I know I'm biased, as I was advocating for Adelise in my video on Usable and Unusual Girls' Names, but I really think it is a great choice for you, and honestly don't think many (if any) people will make the connection with the names.
I'm Eleanor; my mum is Elaine. It wasn't deliberate. Like you, my parents just liked the name Eleanor, not that it sounded the same (though my mum appreciated that they both had a connection to Helen). And here's the thing -- apart from our post sometimes getting muddled, NO ONE has ever made the connection between them sounding similar.
In general, I have found, people are often drawn to names which sound similar to their own and their immediate family's names -- especially if they have positive associations. So, count me in for a vote for Adelise.
The advantage to wanting to honour both French and Scottish roots, is that the two countries have a shared common heritage and historical alliance, which is reflected in some Scottish names. I would suggest Esme as the perfect Franco-Scottish choice, but I fear this will be too popular for you. Though I don't have any in my current class, there are two Esmes in the class below. ]
Romantic and Unusual French Names (which don’t sound horrendous in English)
Floriane / Florine – For more of a French twist on Florie, how about Floriane or Florine? Perfectly neat and pretty and you could use Florie as a nickname.
Sylvie / Sylviane – Sweet and stylish Sylvie is perfectly fashionable, while at the same time being very uncommon. For a lengthier form, consider the even Frencher sounding Sylviane.
Zelie – Like Sylvie, Zelie is a a sleek French choice with bags of style. For a longer alternative there is also Azelie.
Delphine – A gracefully chic name which links to the mystical and ancient site of Delphi in Greece. An even rarer variant I have come across is Adelphine or Edelphine which may be up your street.
Henriette – While Henrietta feels stately and refined, Henriette is a lighter yet still equally regal form which is very rare in Britain. It lends itself to the vintage nicknames Hetty, Hattie and Etty.
Apolline – In the same vein as Isaline but with an 18th century aristocratic style. Using Polly as a diminutive gives it a dual personality.
Magali – A buoyant name which hails from Provence, either as a form of Madeline or Margaret.
Soline – Currently in the bottom half of France's top 100, stylish Soline is a variant of Solène, but more accessibly for English-speakers.
Sirine – Just below the French 100 sits Sirine, a French from of the Persian name Shirin which means "sweet," "amiable". This is as romatic as it gets: Khosrow and Shirin is famous Persian romance by the poet Nizami Ganjavi (1141–1209) who also gave us the name Layla.
Romantic and Unusual (Franco-)Scottish Names
Arabelle - Arabella's routes are thoroughly Scottish, so the French form, Arabelle, is not only a romantic choice, but perfectly blends both French and Scottish heritage.
Merrilees - Melodic Merrilees is a Scottish placename, from West Lothian, now only found as a surname and given name. It is definitely uncommon as there have only been 121 registrations of this as a given name since 1855 including celebrity chef/TV presenter Merrilees Parker.
Mariette – Back in the Middle Ages, Scotland adopted the French -et/-ot diminiutive form for Mary, leading to the Latinised Mariota or simply Mariot/Mariette in everyday life.
Euphemia – Sweet and melodic Euphemia was a popular in 18th and 19th century Scotland, particularly with the diminutive Effie. For a French-twist, there is also Euphémie.
Off-the-Grid Romantic and Unusual Names
Meryem – The Turkish form of Miriam which feels softer and more romantic, but with just as much refinement.
Idony – An ancient romantic name which feels fresh. Idony is the Anglicised form of Iðunn ,the Norse goddess of spring. Where it was once common, now it is a rarity.
Emeney - Emeny, Emeney, Emmony, Emmence, Emmens and Emney are all surnames derived from the mysterious medieval name Ismena. The origins are obscure, though one very plausible theory links in to the Celtic *moyni- "treasure."The name was used in various forms in the Middle Ages, including: Isemeine, Ismeina, Ismenia, Ysmena, Imania, Imayne, Imeyna, Emony and Ymanie.
Melusine – In European folklore, Melusine was a water-spirit or mermaid. It has a mellifluous sound and chic style.
Melise – A rare but elegant variation of Melissa which is just as sweet (pun intended!).
I hope this has been helpful. Best of luck name hunting.