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I like it though I prefer the Mélisande spelling. It feels fancy, but classic. Millicent is outdated, but Melisende doesn't have that feeling to me.

I guess Melisende would be lovely in French.

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In English it seems like Melisende and Mélisande would come out (respectively) MEL-ih-SEND and MEL-ih-SAND. Unless someone is attempting a French-like pronunciation (like, may-lee-zu[n]nd/saw[n]d ??). The e at the end seems extra, and seems to strengthen the D sound, as it would (I think?) in French.

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I could like Melisend (no e) okay ... the "send" ending just doesn't look namey to me. I could maybe get used to it, if it were a person I knew.

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I agree that Millicent is a good name but doesn't seem very appealing these days, looking like an adjective or a unit of measurement - and it needs an update ... I favor Melisant (or Mellisant to get away from the look of Melissa). It stays "English looking" like Millicent ... The sant ("sunt") ending looks less French to me than the -de endings, and it reminds me of "saint." I'd say it with a very quiet final consonant, like in Vincent, and I would not be tempted to pronounce the ending with an 'a' as in "sand." A 'd' at the end *could* be soft, like the way I'd say Emerald or Harold - I just really like the t ending better, it's not as clunky to me.

This message was edited 10/14/2023, 12:30 PM

Why not stay with Melisande? Melisende is not unique, but nor is it currently in use to my knowledge. FWIW I find Melisande pretentious in English.

This message was edited 10/13/2023, 11:21 PM

Very gorgeous. Sweet and rolls off the tongue. Doesn’t come across as an invented or combination name.

Always thought it rather lovely.

I don't really like it, I prefer Melissa

I like Melisende. A character in one of my favourite trilogies is Genevieve Melisande Helene Ysabeau Aude de Clermont. Slightly different spelling but I still like it a lot.