I've always loved it. I like how her mom changed the spelling... it has a sort of obscure-name-from-a-weird-old-French-novel quality about it. Like Aziyadé or Giroflée. Agreed about the New Orleans quality too.
This got me thinking about maiden names as FNs... it's tough to pull off especially for a girl.
ॐ मणिपद्मे हूं
"Speak the truth; yield not to anger; when asked, give even if you only have a little."
"Live alone and do no evil; be carefree like an elephant in the elephant forest."