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[Opinions] Chanel
What are your thought on this name?
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I like the sound of it, very namey and pretty. But I have to admit, I would never use it because I know it is basically like naming a child Lexus or Armani. I think if I met a Chanel, though, I would not be that prone to make judgments.Charmaine or Janel might substitute?
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You have to wonder whether the parents named their child after the brand or just the French for 'channel'. Either way it's awful.
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I don't like it because it's a brand name and has no other history as a name. I'd suggest Janelle instead - it doesn't have much history or etymology either, but it's been in use at least since the 1920s, it has a very similar sound, and it's not a famous designer label. (afaik!)
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I think it's tacky. Names like this remind me of very young, uneducated mothers who think using a designer's name for their child is a sign of class and sophistication.
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I can see that. That thought had ran through my mind as well.
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I generally have a problem with using someone else's surname just because it sounds cool, however, I really have a dislike of occupational surnames because the meanings are just so dumb (for lack of a better word) for a person. Then, there are other surnames that don't make sense either. For example, Chanel is a French surname that means 'pipe.' The ironic part is that some parents use it because they think it sounds so exotic and classy and they love Coco Chanel but its meaning is anything but exotic or classy.So to answer your question, I don't care for it and would rather see people use Gabrielle which was Coco's fn.

This message was edited 1/21/2010, 10:14 AM

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I have to admit I find it a bit trashy :/ I would prefer Chantelle or Chantal even though they sound a bit trashy as well. Sorry :/ If Chantal and Chantelle get pronounced with a French accent they don't sound too bad, actually.
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Shanelle is slightly better. Same sound but less likely to remind people of perfume.
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Tacky & Trashy?What make this name so? I love the sound of this. Believe me if it's because of the parfume Tacky isn't what comes to mind. I can't affored to wear Chanel.
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that's just itGenerally whenever someone uses the brand name of an object they can't afford to own on their offspring, it's pretty tacky. Cristal, Porsche, Chanel, Diamond - all these are pretty tacky looking. I think for me though it's the whole brand name thing that puts me off the most. It just seems such a shame to advertise your own product enjoyment on a child. I don't know why I like seeing author/artist names as given names, but not other things - I think it is because it's not an idea or philosophy being touted, but a material object, which makes me think of greed: and there's nothing tackier than greed.

This message was edited 1/21/2010, 9:36 AM

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I agree with you, as usual. Well put.
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Well said.
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At least the product exists ...I used to know a girl named Nira Michelle. While her mother was PG with her, she was driving one day past a local company's billboard. She took the acronym of the company, N.I.R.A., and made it her dd's name. I would have absolutely hated that and apparently, the girl did too because she asked everyone to call her Michelle from the time she was around 13 or so.
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Nira is so pretty, though. I'd definitely rather have it than Michelle.
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What did N.I.R.A. stand for? Did she know? I hope it wasn't anything too awful!Nira actually has a pretty look and sound to it too, but yes, that is not a "how I got my name" story I'd like to have. Especially as a 13 year old :)
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I have no idea and I don't think she did either. She definitely didn't think much of the idea. I remember her coming back from summer camp a new person because she'd convinced everyone there to call her Michelle.
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dittoThat's why, even though the Chanel brand is the height of class, as a name Chanel's tacky. I have the notion that, someone who really admires Mademoiselle Chanel or the brand (rather than just having the idea that anything connected to designer's clothes's good) would, like Vek suggested, use Coco or Gabrielle.
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I agree. I wouldn't use any of the following you mentioned. However Chanel is a name more than anything. Take Japanese cars for example.
Subaru, Toyota, honda are all names used in Japan. Subaru is more a given name then the others which are almost always surenames.
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Calling someone Mr. Takashi Subaru is the same as calling someone Jimmy Ford. But calling someone Mr. Toyota F. Ito is tacky. Last names that are the name of a business is tacky.
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a name more than anythingThat is true, but as you say, those car brand names are often family names. There's certainly nothing tacky about being born a Mr. Honda or Miss Chanel by family right. But you must admit that the names Chanel or Toyota have more of a material image than another last name like Jones or Tezuka or Yasinsky does. And that tie to the world of the material often strikes people as being tacky or flakey.
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it's super-tacky
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I think we have a Chanel on the board!Or maybe I'm thinking of someone else, but I am pretty sure we do. She's very nice.I wouldn't pick it myself, but it has a very lovely sound and look to it. It does evoke the perfume pretty strongly though, so I think you'd have to be pretty comfortable with people saying "Number 5?" cheekily every time little Chanel introduces herself somewhere.
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That's me!Yup, it's spelled Channelle actually. I've made it no secret I dislike it though. It's tacky and trashy, it's very showy and I'm not that way at all, I'm fairly mousy and sweet. I'd make a good Helen, Susan, or Rose I think...I hate that everyone makes the joke "are you number 5?" when I introduce myself.Thanks for the compliment new_Chloe!
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Her posting name is Chanel, but her birth name was spelt differently - I think it is Chanelle, maybe? She said once that her parents chose it to seem worldly and sophisticated.
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My mom actually wears Chanel No. 5 Lol!
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I know someone named Chanelle. She is very mean and annoying so I can't stand Chanel either. It also reminds me of perfumes.
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If you want to honour the creator of No5...................Why not name her Coco or Gabrielle? Chanel just sounds like a ned, chav or white trash name
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I think it's a little trashy.
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Would the spelling Chanelle be better?
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I personnally think this spelling even reinforces this impression, and spoils its sound. I don't like Chanel but I agree it's quite pretty though.

This message was edited 1/21/2010, 9:00 AM

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"I personnally think this spelling even reinforces this impression"Yes, I'm afraid it does. Gigi: If your heart is set on this name I think Chanel would be the better choice but just like Vek I'd go with Coco or Gabrielle instead :)

This message was edited 1/21/2010, 11:41 AM

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