i may need a name change
May 14th, 2009I don’t know if I am being unnecessarily worried about this so please tell me if I am 
You see, my name is Pip. Which is fine in English - sometimes with my kiwi accent, it can be confused with Pat, Pap or Pak, especially when I was living in Scotland for the last year. I can deal with that.
On the other hand, the Frenchies pronounce my name as ‘Pipe’ and this is how all of the French Boy’s friends spell my name when asking how I am in emails etc.
Well apparently the word Pipe has two meanings in the French language. A pipe (as in English, which you smoke, nothing sinister here) but it also means… well… something that a female does to a man. I feel a bit R18 writing it but I am sure you can guess (especially if you know le Français). So I am now a walking talking BJ.
I am moving to France in September and will be introducing myself to French people. After talking to the French boy about this, he assures me that they will only have a wee giggle when they first hear my name but then they will get used to it (oh great!).
I am thinking of changing my name for my time in France.
Any ideas?
Categories: french language · random stuff
Andromeda said
May 14, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Ahhh, the French and their inability to pronounce the short i. Do you have a middle name you like? Or go with the “Pap” pronunciation, in which case you would be confused with his Holiness instead of you-know-what.
parlezvouskiwi said
May 14, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Oooh yes, great idea, my middle name is Lee, not toooo bad and Im sure that would be easy enough for them to say. Otherwise Im going to be embarrassed every time I say my name!!
Andrea said
May 14, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Lol, yeah that would be embarrassing! I vote for a name change. Lee sounds good
a said
May 14, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Hey! Thanks for commenting on my blog (laragazzadoltremare.blogspot.com). It was nice to finally see a comment!
I’ll link to you if you like
beatrix said
May 14, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Hej Pipe! I have been following your site and must say really like it, however I have been shy to leave comments..till now
I would also vote for the name change if it doesn’t bother you that much, and I actually like Lee.
When I lived/worked in the UK we had a French girl, whos name was Fanny.. always felt sorry for her because people kept laughing at her and the French didn’t understand why. She didn’t have a chance to change it, poor soul! I think it is better if you start of with Lee straight away..
Sorry for the long comment..
Nikki said
May 14, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Piper? Pippy? Except I’m sure then they’d pronounce it peepee and you’d be called wees. Hrmmmm…
Phillipa?
You know how we had to make up names in French class with Gilly…? What was your name then? You could most definitely revive that. ha.
Isabella said
May 15, 2009 at 12:11 am
Interesting! In Dutch, pijp [which is pronounced the same as English 'pipe'] has a few meanings. Slang for a ‘BJ’ is also one. And if you must change your name, which I don’t blame you one single bit, I agree with Lee
cathy said
May 15, 2009 at 3:47 am
but pip is so cute! i’ve never met a pip before, except for pippi longstockings. go with whatever makes you most comfortable. perhaps you could have a similar name for introductions, and then shift to pip when you know them better?
parlezvouskiwi said
May 15, 2009 at 8:55 am
Thanks ladies for your comments.
And Beatrix, no need to apologise for the long comment, I love to hear your feedback
Nikki - I thought about Pippy but after suggesting it to the French boy, he laughed (because of THAT meaning) so Im guessing not!
I think I will go with Lee, which feels strange since Ive been a ‘Pip’ for so long, but at least I’ll be able to say my name without smiling!
frog said
May 15, 2009 at 8:55 am
I think Pip is a great name! and it will be a great way to start conversation
People will only think about the other meanings the first time… also in french, the first meaning is “pipe” and not the BJ. What comes to mind first and mostly is “pipe” so no worries!
Di said
May 20, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Did you ever read this book - http://www.amazon.com/Almost-French-Love-Life-Paris/dp/1592400825
There’s an incident there that amused me but I would keep my name if I were you … for the days when it feels like you’ve given up a lot to be there
corine said
May 22, 2009 at 6:47 am
ah oui, c’est peut etre un probleme.
jennifer said
May 27, 2009 at 8:40 am
My middle name is Beth but never use it here as it is prononced BET, which means beast or stupid.Middle names are not too important but since you are going to repeat yourself overf and over becsuse of your accent and grammar, you may as well simplify your life and chose something easy.