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Help[Opinions] So... Ghislaine?
Ghislaine isn't a name that gets talked about often on these boards. I searched tags before making a post of my own, and the last time a thread was dedicated to this name was... 2011. It has been mentioned a handful of times in more recent threads, but it isn't heavily discussed.
The proper French pronunciation would be GEE-LEHN, the H after the G making it a hard-G, and the I preceding the S making the latter silent. Apparently the name has adapted to be pronounced ZHEEZ-LEHN in other countries, but the first pronunciation is the original.
The main reason I even thought of Ghislaine today was because I'm trying to think of a middle name for Savanna that dresses it up without going overboard. (I think Savanna is beautiful, but admit that the wrong pairing could make it tacky - especially with another nature or "word" name.) So I thought of Savanna Ghislaine and really liked the flow of it.
However... to my immediate recollection, there is only one well-known bearer of the name, and she's more notorious than famous: Ghislaine Maxwell. Pretty much the exact opposite person you'd want to share a name with. Epstein's first name doesn't impart the same impression, because there are a lot of Jeffreys in the world, enough that one single bad bearer won't ruin it. Outside of France (where most of the bearers would appear to be in their 60s and 70s), you can't say the same for Ghislaine.
So... is Ghislaine even usable? What do you think of Ghislaine?
***
Please rate my personal name lists:
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/117507
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/132018
The proper French pronunciation would be GEE-LEHN, the H after the G making it a hard-G, and the I preceding the S making the latter silent. Apparently the name has adapted to be pronounced ZHEEZ-LEHN in other countries, but the first pronunciation is the original.
The main reason I even thought of Ghislaine today was because I'm trying to think of a middle name for Savanna that dresses it up without going overboard. (I think Savanna is beautiful, but admit that the wrong pairing could make it tacky - especially with another nature or "word" name.) So I thought of Savanna Ghislaine and really liked the flow of it.
However... to my immediate recollection, there is only one well-known bearer of the name, and she's more notorious than famous: Ghislaine Maxwell. Pretty much the exact opposite person you'd want to share a name with. Epstein's first name doesn't impart the same impression, because there are a lot of Jeffreys in the world, enough that one single bad bearer won't ruin it. Outside of France (where most of the bearers would appear to be in their 60s and 70s), you can't say the same for Ghislaine.
So... is Ghislaine even usable? What do you think of Ghislaine?
***
Please rate my personal name lists:
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/117507
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/132018
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
Don't like it, not usable
1
In an English speaking context it’s too associated with Ghislaine Maxwell, in a French speaking one it’s fine.
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I don't think Ghislaine is usable. Even if it was, I find it unattractive, and the meaning is disconcerting - "hostage", or, according to some sources "sweet hostage", which is arguably worse (though I know mediaeval name elements didn't work like that). ZHEES comes out as "jizz" in English, which is hardly favorable, and GEE-LEHN is even uglier.
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I used to teach a 13 year old (probably now ablput 20) with the name. It was really pretty on her and didn't use a nickname.
Unfortunately many will see it as a one person name. I remember when she came to notoriety many people didnt even know how to say it, and probably aren't aware of it as a name outside the Maxwell associations.
Savanna Elaine
Savanna Helena
Savanna Lorraine
Savanna Julia
Savanna Louise
Savanna Gabrielle
Savanna Clarisee
Savanna Eloise
Savanna Mathilde
Savanna Briony
Savanna Maureen
Savanna Denise
Savanna Maxine
Savanna Marianne
Savanna Juliet
Savanna Judith
Savanna Joyce
Savanna Jennifer
Savanna Patrice
Savanna Sophia
Savanna Adrienne
Unfortunately many will see it as a one person name. I remember when she came to notoriety many people didnt even know how to say it, and probably aren't aware of it as a name outside the Maxwell associations.
Savanna Elaine
Savanna Helena
Savanna Lorraine
Savanna Julia
Savanna Louise
Savanna Gabrielle
Savanna Clarisee
Savanna Eloise
Savanna Mathilde
Savanna Briony
Savanna Maureen
Savanna Denise
Savanna Maxine
Savanna Marianne
Savanna Juliet
Savanna Judith
Savanna Joyce
Savanna Jennifer
Savanna Patrice
Savanna Sophia
Savanna Adrienne
2
I tested out Savanna Gabrielle over on the polls before I saw this response, and got mostly lukewarm votes (2 stars the most popular answer); but I do think it's pretty. I also like Savanna Elaine (just worry about the ending -a running into the beginning E; it would have to be a long-E) and Savanna Lorraine.
Thank you for the combos!
Thank you for the combos!
1
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of this name. But, it does sound and look cool.
1
No, not useable. The association is way too strong and negative.
1
I think GEE-LEHN sounds pretty, and Ghislaine looks elegant-medieval or like a stately French grandma.
But I think Ghislaine Maxwell is too notorious with it being rare in English speaking places - I wouldn't be surprised if people actually said 'oh, Ghislaine! Like Maxwell' when sounding it out. And even with her being famous, people seem to mostly want to pronounce her name Jizz-lane kind of like Giselle (I guess they try for zheez, but it just sounds like jizz to me - Ghee seems simpler in English? So I don't get it, why adapt it), and normally I'd say who cares, but I hate the Jizz sound.
But I think Ghislaine Maxwell is too notorious with it being rare in English speaking places - I wouldn't be surprised if people actually said 'oh, Ghislaine! Like Maxwell' when sounding it out. And even with her being famous, people seem to mostly want to pronounce her name Jizz-lane kind of like Giselle (I guess they try for zheez, but it just sounds like jizz to me - Ghee seems simpler in English? So I don't get it, why adapt it), and normally I'd say who cares, but I hate the Jizz sound.
This message was edited 9/20/2022, 10:56 AM
2
My only association is Ghislaine Maxwell, who can rot in hell as far as I'm concerned, so no, not usable to me.
2
My first encounter with this name occurred here on BtN, and here on the comment section I found out about G. Maxwell.
Actually, there are many variants of this name: Guilène, Guilaine, Gislinde, Gisleen, Gislena, Guylène. The spelling issues, though... can give you nightmares.
To be honest, my favourite variant of this name is Guilène. I strongly prefer this spelling to any other.
Guilène reminds me of Garance and Solène, these names can draw your attention, they sound sophisticated in MN spot, they are elegant... but also they could be easily and painlessly avoided without any regrets.
Actually, there are many variants of this name: Guilène, Guilaine, Gislinde, Gisleen, Gislena, Guylène. The spelling issues, though... can give you nightmares.
To be honest, my favourite variant of this name is Guilène. I strongly prefer this spelling to any other.
Guilène reminds me of Garance and Solène, these names can draw your attention, they sound sophisticated in MN spot, they are elegant... but also they could be easily and painlessly avoided without any regrets.
2
It's funny that you mention Solène, because I actually really like the variant Solenne and think that would be an easier spelling outside of Francophone culture.
Of the Ghislaine variants you posted, I like Guilène & Guilaine the best, and wonder if Guilenne could work as well. But you're right, it would never be spelled correctly.
Of the Ghislaine variants you posted, I like Guilène & Guilaine the best, and wonder if Guilenne could work as well. But you're right, it would never be spelled correctly.
2
Ghislaine sounds very, very old fashioned to me, and not in a good way. In my mind, every Ghislaine is 70+. I don't think it's ready for a comeback. I love "ugly old lady names" like Myrtle or Gertrude, but Ghislaine? No, not really.
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