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Help[Opinions] Athénaïs
I really like the way this name sounds and I would be surprised if a day went by where the name didn't cross my mind. I especially like it for a middle name. Lately I prefer very French names above all others.
Do you think it's too much? It's derived from the same root as Athena / Athene / Athens.
I like almost no middle names for Louise EXCEPT Athénaïs.
Do you think it's too much? It's derived from the same root as Athena / Athene / Athens.
I like almost no middle names for Louise EXCEPT Athénaïs.
This message was edited 3/4/2017, 7:05 PM
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It's a lovely name, but I think it would be too complicated in a non-French speaking country. I guess in many English-speaking countries people would assume it's pronounced ah-THEE-nays.
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I am half French and even though there is a difference, to me personally it is just too subtle. I only really noticed it after saying the combo out loud but they are still way too similar to sound nice together to my ears. But if you like them that's all that matters :) In France you will find people who pronounce Louise more like loo-EES (even though most say loo-EEZ) and also with Athénaïs you will find people who pronounce it in a sloppy way and it will end up with more of an EEZ ending (this will be the case quite often). When I say it slowly because I want to explain the pronunciation it definitely comes out with an EES ending but in the middle of a sentence it slurs more to EEZ.
This message was edited 3/5/2017, 12:25 PM
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I can detect enough of a difference, even if it is subtle. The rhythm of the combination is especially attractive to me. I speak good deal of French having spent a lot of time in Paris and Montréal. Endings, especially those in two adjacent names of unequal syllable counts, are not offensive to me, and I often find it attractive, e.g. Mary Cicely, Anna Sophia, Thomas Isaias.
Louise Athénaïs is the name of mother of the sculptress Camille Claudel.
Louise Athénaïs is the name of mother of the sculptress Camille Claudel.
This message was edited 3/5/2017, 3:30 PM
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If you like it that's all that matters :) I like really kitschy combos myself, they are not everyone's cup of tea either. I like both names individually and I would be so delighted to meet a Louise in an English speaking country! In France it is overused right now but I really think it should have a comeback in the US :) I like Mary Cicely and Anna Sophia, the other two don't work for me personally. I didn't remember that it was Camille Claudel's mom's name. But if I remember correctly her mom wasn't supportive of her at all, cried when she was born because she wanted a boy and was against her practicing arts. But maybe I remember it incorrectly. I love Paris, it is one of my favorite cities :)
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A really unique name with a staccato rhythm sounding, a-te-na-ees.
I can´t say, I like these form of names.
Perhaps better for native-french speakers, especially for the ambitious spelling.
I can´t say, I like these form of names.
Perhaps better for native-french speakers, especially for the ambitious spelling.
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I came across Athénaïs on an historical drama based around Louis XIV and the building of Versailles, and I thought it was gorgeous. I think they said something like Att-uh-NAY-iss, which I'm not 100% sure is correct, but I like the sound, although it's probably much nicer in French than my rubbish accent haha. I do think it might be a challenge to say daily (for me anyway) or at least it'd definitely take some getting used to, but it would definitely work great as a middle. I do have Atenaid/Atenaide on my considering list, since I find it a little easier to say, but Athénaïs is very lovely.
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I adore it! It's so baroque.
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