Hortense is the homely girl who gussies herself up to go to a big dance, and looks sort of ridiculous next to the more polished, sophisticated girls...until all the boys want to dance with her because she is one-of-a-kind, and undeniably charming in her own way. I consider the name ugly, but I still like it. It is what it is, and it makes no apologies.
I like:
Hortense WinifredHortense VivianHortense VerenaHortense RosalindHortense PhilippaHortense MiriamHortense MarjorieHortense MaryHortense MarianHortense MadeleineHortense LillianHortense JuliaHortense HeloiseHortense EmmelineHortense ClaudiaHortense Camille