Message: "Re: Vienne for a boy?"

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[Opinions] Re: Vienne for a boy?

by Chelsea (Chels)

4/3/2011, 8:17 PM

in reply to a message by Caralena Estelle

I wouldn't use it myself because it doesn't sound like a name to me, but since it's a place name, and not a very common name, I don't really see how it's classed as either masculine or feminine. If the name or place had some significance then I guess I would consider it usable for either gender, but I don't see the appeal myself if that makes sense.

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- Sofia +4

4/3/2011, 8:27 PM

I believe it's seen as female in France sine it's a female noun in French. Most other languages don't see place names as having neutral gender as English does.

This message was edited 4/3/2011, 8:28 PM

- Chelsea (Chels) +3

4/3/2011, 8:34 PM

I agree with that, I guess I made the assumption the OP was in the US which maybe is my bad. In a culture that doesn't associate gender to names then I don't see anything wrong. I agree that in France it could be more problematic.

- mirfak

4/3/2011, 11:14 PM

I think it's problematic in the US too, because we are familiar with French feminine forms that look similar and have masculine counterparts - Adrienne / Adrien, Vivienne / Vivien, Julienne / Julien, Donatienne / Donatien, Lucienne / Lucien ... the only exception I know of is Etienne.

- Sofia +1

4/3/2011, 8:37 PM

I guess I assumed the family at least spoke French, since wouldn't they use the English name for the city otherwise?

- Chelsea (Chels)

4/3/2011, 8:41 PM

?? Not sure really :) Vienna isn't in the btn database and Vienne is. Maybe they would use the French name because it sounds more "exotic".

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