Young Mom in love with M names!

[javii]

Hey alls,

I'm a first-time Nameberry poster, as well as a new mom expecting my first child. I'm looking for some input on two girls names I've really been falling for lately and also some suggestions (for both boys and girls!) that have a similar style, sound, or general vibe with these two.

The names are Matisse and Millot. I love love love Matisse because its relatively short and simple, beautiful, has a great namesake in the artist Henri Matisse, and is uncommon but not unheard of. I also think the tomboyish nickname Max could easily work. The second name is Millot, with which I fell in love when I received an email from my grandpa with a little clip from an old film tape of my great-great-grandmother Millot walking alongside her garden. I'd never known her name before being sent the email, despite wonderful stories my mom has told me about her. Ultimately, this name is trickier with the pronunciation (its prn. mee-low), but it has very personal and wonderful meaning and connections with my family history. So I guess my main questions for you all are:

1. What do you think of the names Matisse and Millot? Can they work these days as first names?

2. What some names with a similar style/vibe/feeling for both girls and boys that you think might work instead of Matisse or Millot or that might work with them?

3. Any middle name suggestions? I'm considering Plum (if I don't go with Matisse) after one of his paintings, but that's the only idea I have. I don't want to name after any immediate or living family because its too contentious of an issue.

I know I'm asking for a lot of help here, but I hugely appreciate your time, effort, and thoughts. Thank you all!

-Javiera & lil' Baby Bump

[davisellu]

I don't mind Matisse but would suggest a more feminine mn if you are using it for a girl. For Millot, I like that it has a family connection for you, but I think pronunciation would be an issue-- how is is pronounced? I would say Mill-oh. It sounds a little like merlot to me and so I'd probably use it for a mn and not a fn.

Here are some other names you might like:

Anais
Annelise
Audrey
Camille/Camilla (nn Mila)
Clemence
Gemma
Margeaux/Margot
Marjolaina
Melody
Melaina
Mavis
Marina
Merryl
Merrit
Minette
Mirabella/Mirabelle
Nadine
Nadia
Noelle
Roxanne
Simone
Tallis
Xanthe
Zaida
Zara
Zoe

[daisy451]

1. What do you think of the names Matisse and Millot? Can they work these days as first names?

I'll start by saying that I really, really like the sounds of both names. I think they're very interesting and unique but don't sound trashy or made-up. However, I think they both sound extremely pretentious, especially Matisse. I'm always very wary about naming a child after a very recognizable artist or author with an uncommon name. It seems a bit show-off-ish. It's not like Whistler, who is a less-known artist with a more common name; it's instantly recognizable and synonymous with the painter. Personally, I think that's a very bad thing.

Millot shares a bit of the "la-di-da" vibe of Matisse, but considering it's an actual family name for you, I think it's infinitely more wearable. That silent t and unmistakable French-ness is a bit affected, but I think a legitimate family tradition makes a name instantly more wearable.

This is my opinion of the names as first names only. I think both are wonderful and surprising in the middle. They'd flow well with nearly anything but are way less expected than Marie or Nicole. Some other names with artistic or French vibes you may like:
Manon
Georgia
Eloise
Marlo (Like Millot, but I picture a Marlo as more of a play-in-the-dirt, run wild kind of girl)
Eliane
Salome
Anais
Thais
Margot
Noemie
Magalie
Alaia
Colette
Frida
Paloma
Thessaly
Maelys
Lucienne
Alizee

[vivtaliesin]

Millot is stunning! I would use her in an instant, especially since she is a family name. Especially love the nickname possibility of Millie or Milla.

I don't think Millot is too uncommon these days, especially considering the rise of Milo (b), Mila/Milla (g), Marlow (g) etc. The pn. comes natural to me as a french speaker, but i could see how this would be tough for some people, though after one simple correction it would be an unforgettable name.

Millot Plum is outstanding!

all the best

xo Viv

[r_j]

I like Millot, although I definitely needed help with the pronunciation. I wasn't sure before you typed it out, but now that I say it, I love it.

A similar name would be Millay. Edna St. Vincent Millay is one of my favorite poets. I wouldn't use it with Matisse (too much name dropping), but just another idea for you

[javii]

Thank you everyone so far for your advice!

davisellu: I'm definitely most worried about pronunciation with Millot -- its pronounced "mee-low" -- so your point is well taken. I'll definitely consider it for the middle name, thanks! And a double thanks for the suggestions, I like Camille, Gemma, Margot, Mavis, Roxanne, and Xanthe at first glance, but unfortunately none of them resonate extremely well with me.

daisy451: Thank you so much for your comments; it's really helpful to know what kind of perceptions others might have of a name. And of course a huge thanks for the suggestions -- Thessaly REALLY jumped out at me! I think Thess could be such a cool nickname! Certainly something to consider....I think I also could warm up to Eloise, Magalie, and especially Paloma.

vivtaliesin: Thank you for the compliments! I really really really love Millot Plum as well, but I'm still afraid of falling too hard and ending up regretting all the pronunciation issues she runs up against. But knowing somewhere out there someone else loves it too feels really nice and reassuring!

r_j: Oooh, Millay! Such a fun name, definitely my kind of style. I love the artistic reference as well as the sound. Thanks for the suggestion.


Again, a huge thanks to you all who responded. I'd still love more suggestions or thoughts if anyone else wants to throw some my way!

Also, one of the appeals for me of Matisse is the possibility of the nickname Max, as I mentioned. Any other, maybe less pretentious/in-your-face-artistic, ways of getting the nickname? I don't care for Maxima, and I can definitely hop on board with nicknames that are creatively derived from an unsuspecting name. Any thoughts?

-Javiera & lil' Baby Bump

[javii]

Any more suggestions?

-Javiera

[juliet.a]

I think Millot is a wonderfully unique name, without trying to hard. I really love it!

As for Matisse- i think it is trying to hard.
Miro might work... its a little bit too arty too, possibly.

If it were me, i would go for Paloma, Cecily, Inka, Marsden, Mabry or Hesse as more subtle artistic connections.

I'm going to keep looking for art-related m names for ya.

[nono]

I've never encountered Millot before, but the sound of it is gorgeous and I love that it's a family name for you. I really like Millot Plum as well.

I'm less impressed with Matisse. I agree that it seems as if it's trying much too hard.

[emmybee]

Mmhmm Millot Plum is gawgess.