Andrew for a Girl (family name)

[fluzie]

I adore Drew!! You would still be honouring your father if you named her Drew!

[hayley88]

It would,quite frankly,be ridiculous and she would be bullied.

It is disturbing that you think her "being manly" would help her get on in life. In this day and age,gender won't effect a child's ability to get on in life. Having a ridiculous name just might though.

Apologies if you find the above blunt,but you did ask for people's opinions.

[ottilie]

Oh, wow. To begin, I very strongly dislike the idea of Andrew on a girl especially for the reasons you gave. I have a hard time believing that your father-in-law would feel honored by you and your husband naming your DAUGHTER after him. The whole "the first female named X probably got some weird looks" argument doesn't work for me either. Andrew has seen CENTURIES of use as a male name. Of course your daughter named Andrew will get some weird looks, because people will wonder why in the world you gave your girl child a male name. Just because a name has feminine nicknames also does not give you grounds to use the name for a girl.

The second to last point was the one that bothered me the most. It wouldn't hurt your daughter to be "a little manly" if she ends up a CFO or a journalist? So you think that feminine characteristics are not desirable or have no value in these fields? Would you also give your son a name like Elizabeth or Sophia in case he goes into a traditionally feminine field like nursing or teaching? It wouldn't hurt him to be "a little womanly" if he ends up a nurse or teacher, I dare say. The whole statement was disturbing, because what that says to me is that you think feminine characteristics are inferior and the only way to give your daughter "a step up" is to give her a man's name (which you're assuming will somehow make her manly). You may think this is progressive, but in fact it's rather backwards and sexist.

Your plan to call her Annie when she's young tells me that you know Andrew on a girl is too "out there," otherwise you wouldn't have included anything about possible nicknames she could go by if she doesn't like having a male name. After all, would YOU like to be named Andrew?

How "out there" is Andrew on a girl? I think you already know the answer to that.

Yes, this is what I wanted to say.

[bre]

Oh, wow. To begin, I very strongly dislike the idea of Andrew on a girl especially for the reasons you gave. I have a hard time believing that your father-in-law would feel honored by you and your husband naming your DAUGHTER after him. The whole "the first female named X probably got some weird looks" argument doesn't work for me either. Andrew has seen CENTURIES of use as a male name. Of course your daughter named Andrew will get some weird looks, because people will wonder why in the world you gave your girl child a male name. Just because a name has feminine nicknames also does not give you grounds to use the name for a girl.

The second to last point was the one that bothered me the most. It wouldn't hurt your daughter to be "a little manly" if she ends up a CFO or a journalist? So you think that feminine characteristics are not desirable or have no value in these fields? Would you also give your son a name like Elizabeth or Sophia in case he goes into a traditionally feminine field like nursing or teaching? It wouldn't hurt him to be "a little womanly" if he ends up a nurse or teacher, I dare say. The whole statement was disturbing, because what that says to me is that you think feminine characteristics are inferior and the only way to give your daughter "a step up" is to give her a man's name (which you're assuming will somehow make her manly). You may think this is progressive, but in fact it's rather backwards and sexist.

Your plan to call her Annie when she's young tells me that you know Andrew on a girl is too "out there," otherwise you wouldn't have included anything about possible nicknames she could go by if she doesn't like having a male name. After all, would YOU like to be named Andrew?

How "out there" is Andrew on a girl? I think you already know the answer to that.

This is exactly what I'm thinking.
I've used this example before, but I'm honestly just shocked at the hypocrisy and double standard that occurs amongst names. It's perfectly "fine" to use masculine names on girls, while you wouldn't even remotely consider using a feminine name on a boy (Lily, Vivian, Isabelle, etc...) What is it that makes femininity undesirable in a name?

It's ultimately your choice in the end, and I respect that. Personally, I would use it as a middle or use a variant of the name that would still honor your FIL.

[rowangreeneyes]

I actually knew a girl in high school named Andrew, she was named after a grandfather I think, she went by Andi. No one ever bothered her about it and most thought it was really cool. I am all for boys names on girls, but I'm not particularly a fan of the name Andrew period. But the nickname Annie is adorable, it could definitely work!

[rowangreeneyes]

And I think people are misunderstanding what she meant by "manly." An unusual name choice could actually get someone farther in certain professions and being a journalist or CFO which are still very male dominated careers, being domineering and aggressive (which are usually thought of as masculine traits) is necessary. Why do you think most females in high ranking careers are labeled as cold and militant? I don't understand how some people can argue "Names have genders, there should be a distinction between male and female" and then in the same breath argue that men and women should be seen exactly the same in every other aspect of life? Make up your mind already.

[rachelxoxo]

I would say use Andrew as a middle name!

[essjay]

I second the 'only as a middle name' or Anna Drew suggestions. While it obviously means a lot to you, the middle name is widely considered the place to be different with names and to also honour, and in this case you would be doing both. If you like Annie, why not call her Annie/Anne/Anna - it's still connected to Andrew after all. I know too many Andrews/Andys to even consider it suiting a girl as a first name. Drew would be more acceptable on a girl because of Ms Barrymore, and while yes, someone had to be the first to put Ashley or Jordan on their daughter, it's not a license to swap any name onto the opposite gender.

[em_crazynamer]

I think a name like one of the following would be a pretty way to commemorate Andrew. I think it's a little too masculine on it's own.

Drew Annabelle
Drew Annelise
Drew Annabeth
Annabelle Drew
Annelise Drew
Annabeth Drew

I really don't like Anne, Ann, Andrea, Andy or even Annie. Annie sounds too nicknamey and the rest sound blah! Oh so blah!! I really like the idea of naming your daughter Drew. I think its fresh and unique without being yooneek. I really like Drew Annelise. I think it is elegant and flows. Also, if she ever gets tired of her name she has many monikers to pick from with Drew Annelise. Including Annie.

Best wishes! xo

[uselesskitty]

You seem pretty set on it and I am not sure why you are asking people's opinions. You can pretty much expect that a large majority of people won't like it. If it means that much to you then do it, but most people won't like it. Also keep in mind that your daughter is the one that has to live with it.