Message: "Gerard and Renard"

Gerard and Renard

by Joiya

2/16/2015, 6:33 AM

Last night the DH surprised me by telling me that he really likes the name Gerard and ... what do I think?

I am sure most of us know that the general population does not share our avid interest in magnificent monikers, so when someone ELSE initiates the naming conversations, it's quite exciting!

Ok, back to the name.

Opinions on Gerard?
Also, opinions on Renard / Reynard?

BQ - do either seem well-suited with Clarisse and Nadine?

______________________________________________
"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve upon the world." -Ann Frank
Mama to my "bright star" Clarisse Bituin and Wife to Julius. Mahal na mahal from our little family to yours!

#Gerard #Renard

This message was edited 2/16/2015, 6:34 AM

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- Elec Fan (guest) +1

2/17/2015, 3:06 PM

Gah, I adore Gerard. It's insufferably adorable and authoritative at once; I love it!

Renard is handsome, although I do prefer Reynard. It just looks sleeker and classier to me. However, I don't think I'd, personally, use Gerard and Renard/Reynard together; too similar for my tastes.

They both go splendidly with Clarisse and Nadine, but I do think that Gerard "fits" more.

- Joiya

2/18/2015, 11:53 AM

"It's insufferably adorable and authoritative at once"

Love it!

- Wordsmith +1

2/16/2015, 6:45 PM

I love Gerard, and I think it complements Clarisse (love!) and Nadine splendidly. I'm less fond of Renard / Reynard; I prefer Rayner.

- Joiya

2/17/2015, 10:48 AM

Thank you.

I do like Rayner. Never really considered it before though, so thanks.

I had considered Pryor as an ode to ages past - but couldn't get past Mr. Richard Pryor. Rayner is a much better alternative.

- Tassiegirl +1

2/16/2015, 12:32 PM

I know quite a few men named Gerard.Good name.

Renard/Reynard-maybe a bit foxy.....I could like it, though.

- Joiya

2/17/2015, 10:46 AM

Never met one - but glad to hear it's been used.

Renard is over-the-top fox - though I like that. But, it seems to be off putting to others.

THE QUICK BROWN RENARD JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG.

- Flora (booksandtea) +1

2/16/2015, 9:07 AM

I find them both sort of difficult in the same way I find Aurora difficult. I just seem to stumble over the Rs.

I think Gerard is very handsome, though, in a very old-school way. I think it would fit with Clarisse & Nadine, though.

- Joiya

2/17/2015, 10:44 AM

Aurora can be hard to say - I agree. I have a bad habit of pronouncing these with a French accent anyway. I do it to my daughter, Clarisse, all the time.

My husband can say both Gerard and Renard though, and he has a very thick accent - so I am hoping it would work.

Eep - anyone else have trouble saying these with an American or English accent.

- Mireio (Anna21) +1

2/16/2015, 8:22 AM

I like Gerard, and I think it goes well with Clarisse and Nadine since they're all French / used in France. I prefer Gerard to Renard.

- Joiya

2/17/2015, 10:43 AM

Thanks. Once again, surprised by the reception for Gerard, but glad!

- Anneza, nsi (guest) +3

2/16/2015, 7:08 AM

Renard doesn't happen where I live, and Reynard is too foxy. I like Gerard a lot, though! Much nicer than Gerald, and brilliant with Clarisse. (Nadine is easier to find a match for, it seems.)

- Joiya +2

2/17/2015, 10:42 AM

Gerard seems to be getting more online love than I imagined. I assumed it would still bit a bit too dusty for folk... but am glad to be proven wrong!

Renard is a bit obvious as a fox, but I kinda like it that way. Reynard is easier to read and say I suppose. I wonder if it's a big faux pas to use a foxy name in francophone areas?

I mean, we use Fleur, Capucine, Noel... plus names like Avril, Etoile, Chantal and Cerise are actual French words.

- Anneza, nsi (guest) +1

2/18/2015, 3:27 AM

And Fox is a perfectly ordinary English surname! Though I've never seen it used as a fn for that or any other reason. Honestly, in today's world I don't think most people would turn a hair, though the French are more traditionally-minded or just more fussy than us Anglophones. Do foxes even happen where you live? Where I am, we only have jackals.

- Joiya

2/18/2015, 11:52 AM

We DO have foxes. But only because about 75 years ago they let a bunch of them loose in the forests around here to take care of some other problem-animal population.

There is a big whole story my Granfather used to tell me every time we drove by the wood entry where they let them go. He remembered it. Now I feel aweful I forgot the story - but super excited that I kind've have a reason to name a kid "fox"!

Ha.

I actually think I might ask a few French friends if it's too weird, if we end up pregnant with a boy.

- Ismene (Madyson) +1

2/16/2015, 6:55 AM

I really don't care for the "-ard" sound at all. I do like Reynard when pronounced "RAY-nerd."

As far as fitting with Clarisse and Nadine, the 'feel' of the names are similar- they're all sort of antique, have a hard consonant sound, and have the last syllable emphasized.

- Joiya

2/17/2015, 10:36 AM

You are the first person to point out the second syllable stressor - thanks!

I honestly never noticed, but if I go through my list... all of the ones that I especially like have that feature. Way to help me narrow down my tastes!!

This message was edited 2/17/2015, 10:36 AM

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