[Nicolette14]

Hi All,

DH and I thought we had decided on names for our (gender unknown) baby due in May. They are Sebastian Lewis for a boy and Remi/Remy Anneke for a girl. However, further research has uncovered that while Remi/Remy is an acceptable girls name in Australia, USA etc. it is ONLY a boys name in France, its country of origin. DH's job means that we will be living in Germany, 15 kms from the French border, for 4 months in every 24.

So my questions are:
1) Is it mean to give a girl a name that is "only a boys name" when we will be spending time near France?
2) If not, which is your preferred spelling? I or Y?
3) If yes, can you please suggest some similar, European style girls names?

Many thanks,
Lettie

[Dabri]

I will leave aside the first question since I firstly have never travelled to Europe and secondly am a lot more liberal in my taste in boys-names-for-girls than most around these boards.

But to answer your other questions:

I prefer Remy to Remi, but not really a fan of either.

How about Romy as an alternative?

Otherwise I would strongly advocate using Anneke as the first name - I love it as well as similar names Annika, Lenneke and Inneke.

For more suggestions, maybe
Claudia (although the pronunciation differs in Australia to the German), Greta, Gretchen, Saskia, Liana, Eliska, Brigitta, Denise, Inge

This post has been edited by Dabri: 14/03/2012, 04:37 PM

[Beachbabe7]

I know a man called Remy. To me it is a boy's name so I personally wouldn't use it for a girl.

But I would spell it Remy not Remi.

[la di dah]

Renée seems the easiest feminine equivalent to spring to mind, that is still easily usable in Australia without much explanations needed. Or Rina, or Irina/Iréne, or...?

Anneke is cute. Anneke as a FN seems quite workable?

Remy for a girl in France is a bit like Kevin for a girl here. You can do it, I am sure people HAVE done it, and most people won't say outright "ew, how weird!" because most people aren't that dumb. But I wouldn't do it and I don't see much appeal in it.

Are you thinking of saying it REMM-ee or ray-MEE?

[Bel Rowley]

I probably wouldn't use Remy for a girl considering you'll be spending time in/near France. Romy is a good alternative. If you do use it I would only spell it Remy, I don't like it with an 'i'.

[Saecularis Angel...]

I wouldn't name a girl Remy.

Further suggestions...

Justine Anneke
Jehanne Anneke
Solange Anneke

[Guest_Nyz31_*]

I've only known one Remi, being a little girl. I didn't know it was a blokes name? I think if you love it, go with it. After all you're not going to spending ALL her life in Europe (I assume?).

[kerilyntaryn]

Heidi, Greta, Anika, Chantelle, Delphine, Delma, Vienne, Vivian, Adele, Astrid, Liesel, Marin, Matilda, Sophia, Bianca, Eloise, Danica, Saskia, Nicola, serena, Renee

[Mitchy's Mum]

I've only ever heard of the name once, spelled Remy, and it was a girl. I like the name. I guess if your happy to keep explaining to people in Europe that Remy is a girls name in aus, then go for it.

[lsolaBella]

If you are going to Germany don't do "Heidi" - it is a nn there and looked down on as a name suggestion (according to German SIL's shock when my brother mentioned it as an idea for their daughter).

Heidi is NN for Adelhide (even in the story "Heidi" her name is really Adelhide)

I also would not do Remi/Remy as I associate it as a Male French name.

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 17/03/2012, 04:13 PM