The Baby Name Wizard

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Comments and insights on the name Nadine: | Edit

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Personal experiences with the name Nadine: | Edit

My name is pronounced the French way, nah-DIN. This has caused me my fair share of grief ever since grade school. I'm fine with people pronouncing it nah-DEEN because I get that not everyone has heard the French pronunciation (even in the bilingual country of Canada), but I can't abide being called NAY-DEEN, particularly after introducing myself clearly.

Working in a call centre caused no end of confusion with the understanding of my name. I've been predictably called Nadia, Natalie, or even the dreaded NAY-DEEN. Less predictably, I've also been identified as Lilian, Vivian, Nabini (?), Jillian, Jennifer, and Naomi.

It is also extremely difficult to find keychains, bookmarks, mugs, or other paraphernalia with my name on it, unless I'm in Quebec or France.

On the plus side, when I met famous author Diana Gabaldon at a book-signing, I told her my name and spelled it out for her. She grinned and said, "I thought that was the only way it could be spelled, though."

Nicknames for Nadine: | Edit

Dina, Dini, Nad

Meanings and history of the name Nadine: | Edit

French form of Nadia, meaning "hope"

Famous real-life people named Nadine: | Edit

Nadine Gordimer, South African writer, political activist, and Nobel laueate
Nadine Strossen, lawyer and ACLU president
Nadine Coyle, Irish singer-songwriter
Nadine Salameh, Palestinian actress
Nadine Labaki, Lebanese actress and director
Nadine Samonte, German-Filipino actress
Nadine Haobsh, American beauty journalist and celebrity blogger

Nadine in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Nadine" by Chuck Berry, famously covered by George Thorogood
"Nadine Cross" from Stephen King's "The Stand"
"Nadine" by Matt Cohen
Nadine from the show Hey Arnold