Antoinette

Whenever I see this name, despite the association with the aforementioned figure of history, one cannot help but appreciate the unique style and rarity of it. Unlike other chart toppers such as “Charlotte”, Antoinette is not under any exhaustive accusation of being overused or exceedingly popular to the point where it loses any of its unique charm. Now, understandably there might be some spelling issues that may arise whenever someone has to learn from an early age on how to spell it. However, one can always apply the nickname for “Toni” as a simple everyday alternative to the official moniker of Antoinette. Overall a good name in my book that can be used as either a first or second middle name.

One of my favourite names. It actually came to my attention BECAUSE of Marie Antoinette, who was a tragically misunderstood young woman and one of my favourite historical figures. This name is so beautiful and unique, without being tryndiegh or weird, and has great nicknames such as Annie, Toni, and Nettie. I also love it because my favourite uncle’s name is Antoni, so this honours him AND my passion for history.

I hope Marie Antoinette was able to have her soul saved. I don't know how well she lived her Catholic faith, but it seems that she grew more serious with age, so maybe she became more pious. If not, maybe she made a decisive turn towards God during the final days of her life. I wouldn't mind having a name heavily associated with her, because I hate the diabolical French Revolution and sympathize with the Queen of France, and also because she's someone I might meet in heaven, if I ever get there. Besides, this is a Christian name, so it's good for Catholics to keep it as an option. I prefer it as a middle name. Isabel Antoinette, Pauline Antoinette, Therese Antoinette and Georgia Antoinette are dignified and beautiful names.

@Magdalena Do you think defending royal scum will make you like them one day? Or do you think you're secretly a royal? Yes, the revolution was needlessly violent, but it was absolutely necessary. Her husband was an absolutist ruler, you might not know what that means and how terrible it is as a privileged person from a western country, but as someone from a semi-dictatorship, it is ABSOLUTEly terrible. Also might I remind you, the French people had naught to eat and the state was bankrupt while the royals, the nobles and the clergy were bathing in riches, and not being taxed unlike the people. Way to say "I know nothing about history" without saying so.

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About it as a name; I think it's a bit too complex for a little girl, but I'd use it for a character of noble background.

Hello, I'm an eighteen year old with the name Antoinette. I feel like I'm not really deserving of this name but my friends say it suits me. Personally I would've liked a name that is more simpler. When I meet new people I generally get two reactions either "wow what a beautiful name" or "huh". Especially if I am introducing myself to younger children, I just give up and say "call me Anna", and my friends always laugh about it since they say it really doesn't suit me. So I'm actually nervous to be introducing myself in university this year, as I feel like no one will know how to pronounce my name and will probably forget about me... haha help. Do I like the name? Eh I guess, my mom is from Russia and I was born in England so I guess I just find it strange that she would settle for such a weird name. But I suppose it is better than being called something simple. Oh and also I think the nicknames for this name are awful, I've seen in the comments people saying they like "Nettie" and "Toni" yeah I hate them. What's the point in this long name if you're just going to use a bland nickname. I remember my teacher called me "Toni" out of the blue and everyone in my class was confused just like me. Now I just remembered that when I was younger, kids would make fun of my name, some would call me "internet" or "toilet" (of course) and also one boy called me Ant and Dec lol. So that's all I have to say, good luck to your future child being able to spell that name (although I could spell it at age 4 but struggled to spell my middle name "Louise" until I was 11), and also good luck to any of their friends too. I mean 10 letters is a lot, it still irks me when I see my teacher's misspelling my name but what can you do.

I think this name is so cute. Well it may be long, so are other popular names like Brooklynn. I love the nickname possibilities like Toni. My favorite middle is Antoinette Olivia.

My name is Antuanet. It's pronounced the same way Antoinette is. When my parents were deciding my name they thought it was way too long for them to remember. They were scared I would forget my name. So my mom had the brilliant idea of changing it to Antuanet. Though it still confuses people. Antoinette is a beautiful name but it's so wordy and difficult to spell.

Too fancy and complex.

Pretty, but with the Marie Antoinette association, I’m moving right past this one. It’s a shame it can’t be used anymore, though. To me it’s sort of like Maybelline.

By all means do not name your daughter this. It is a horrible name to grow up with. To this day my own dad can't spell it. I am Antoinette Marie. Back in the 60's and 70's tests in school used scantron scoring sheets. Those you had to use a #2 pencil on. You had to write it out then bubble in to the corresponding letter. No one could pronounce it much less spell it. Most teachers insisted on my full name. I would plead, "but they call me Toni at home." (Don't get me started on Toni with an "I" vs. "Y" crap.) Max letters were 8... Antoinet. Then in middle school older boys heard my name and repeated with a vulgar spelling ( An-tw__-net) I went home and repeated it and got slapped and then my dad wanted to know what boys called me that.. all the more embarrassing. So I go by Toni... family still call me Antoinette, everyone else has be warned to call me Toni or I won't respond. And there is that darn Marie Antoinette history. "Your parents got it backwards". I have since pleaded to my daughters, that both LOVE the name to NOT ever name their daughter(s) this.

My daughter's name is Antoinette. I pronounce it as Anne twoh nett. We all call her Nettie for short. Nets would be our more endearing name used as well. But in general, it is a beautiful name that gives the impression of sophistication, power, strength in nature with warmth. It is not a very common name used in our modern times.

This is my mom's name. She doesn't like it, but I think it's absolutely beautiful and would use it for my daughter (if I ever had kids). Nettie would be a good nickname for it.

The French's answer to the English's enduring name Elizabeth.

It's pretty but it's such a long name. Also it has connections to a woman being beheaded so... next!

My first name is Antoinette and my memories of Year 1 are ones of frustration because I couldn't remember how to spell my name and as a result I was the second last to learn this milestone. The last was a boy called Jaye.
Once I got over this hurdle I didn't mind my name being so long, in fact I used to love getting a giggle at how other kids wrote it on party invitations and Christmas cards. The best one ever was Antwahnet, this was exactly how he used to pronounce it too :).

I was given the name Antoinette Beatrice as my first and middle name. I was called Toni from when I was little. In school on the first day the teacher would call out my name (my last name is 9 letters -4 syllables- long so it is a mouthful to say). It is pronounced Ann- twah- net. The whole class would turn to stare. Being very shy, I always thought it was a bit too much as I was a 60's child so I never used it. But now as an adult I love my name and think it is beautiful even with the 'Marie Antoinette' hanging over my head :) and her supposed 'eat cake' foible. Everyone would comment I had the most beautiful name they had ever heard.

I find the name Antoinette beautiful and regal sounding.

Hm. I'm kinda sad this isn't in the top 1000 anymore, to be honest. Yeah it's long, but not as long as some of the annoying trendy names like Isabella or Maximilian. This name is elegant, regal, maybe a little pretentious but still very pretty and feminine. In an age when truly feminine names have gone obsolete, this would sure be refreshing. I'm not too fond of Toni personally, but I like Annie or even Etta/Ettie :)

A beautiful name, but it's a bit of a mouthful and rather old-fashioned. Though the nickname Toni comes to mind and it makes a rather good middle name, it may be best left in the history books.

I always pronounced it "AN-twoh-net."
I love it, it's long and dignified.

This name just SCREAMS pretentious. Annoying and over-the-top.

Looks hard to pronounce. I don't really like it.

The name looks really pretty and sophisticated, but I don't like the pronunciation at all. There are far prettier French names out there. I also do believe Marie Antoinette is demonized quite unreasonably. My guess is that she was like the Paris Hilton of the French Revolution times. She wasn't necessarily mean, she was just spoiled and ditzy, and she didn't really take interest in things outside her luxurious life. Not that that makes her much better, but I doubt she was insufferable as a person. The famous cake comment was probably something said out of naivete. People focus too much on harmless females like her, and Paris Hilton today, instead of paying attention to the men who really cause misery in society. Well, the name does sound mature, but almost elitist and pretentious, and any nicknames will sound awful. At least the ones I can imagine, which is quite hard to do with this name.

Love the name, though it may be a bit too long for me to use. Maybe use Tonia, and while I do agree with the fact that Marie Antoinette does get demonized a bit too much, I dislike how slight night shiver made a specific comment towards men, as it felt pretty ignorant to me being a guy. Anyway, it is a pretty name and I really like how feminine it is.

My baby girl is called Antoinette! But we call her 'Etta' for short because we find it is easier for her. When thinking of names, my husband and I thought of Antoinette, but then my husband commented that it sounded a bit extravagant, but I thought: Why shouldn't it be extravagant? Sometimes names that seem a little over the top are the best ones. Also, Marie Antoinette did not make me dither on this name - in fact, I did not even think about it.

I think it sounds very pretty and feminine and quite confident.

Antoinette is both beautiful and strong sounding.

How can a name be dragged down by someone that only history books have written about, we cannot assume that Marie Antoinette was horrible and cruel, of course no one knows, but she was only a teen, and I'm sure she was fun and nice. And, when I have a baby girl, I'd like to call her Ffion Antoinette, Ffion for my mother, and Antoinette for Marie Antoinette, I think she deserves good acknowledgement.

I know someone called Antoinette, and it's a very pretty name. I think it is the female version of Antony, and it is French.

I still really like this name despite one of its most famous bearer's, Marie Antoinette. It's very pretty and just roles off your tongue with pretty pink ribbons and silk ribbons to come with it. Like I said, I just love this name.