Random Question

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

Is the name Raine/Rain a name in its own right, or is it short for Lorraine? OR, as my mother is convinced, is it a nn for Adrienne? [no, I don't understand either, but she's adamant]

ETA: The reason I ask is because I knew a woman named Lorraine who went by Raine, so I always thought of it as a shortened version. I like Raine, and Lorraine not so much - I guess the real question is, if I named my kid Raine, would I forever get the look of 'you could have put the full name on the birth certificate' as I might if I'd named a girl Maddie, or will people take it at face value?

Comments

[tiphanism.livejournal.com]

I've heard of Raine or Rainer as a male name.

[open0heart.livejournal.com]

All of the above, I'm sure.

[anapology.livejournal.com]

I believe it is a name in it's own right, though it's a bit hippyish for my liking, trying too hard.

I have never heard it as a nickname for Lorraine or Adrienne, but nicknames can be whatever you want I guess.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

It doesn't make sense as short for Adrienne, because it would be Ree-en, not Ray-in. I also don't see much link with Lorraine, as it's originally french and pronounced Lore-EN, so without the -ain sound.

Anyhow, yes, Raine is a name in its own right, deriving from the same root as "reine", which is "queen" in french.
Rain can be either a variant of Raine, or just a hippy name :P related to the athmospheric event.

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

I've always thought it was a name in its own right, after the weather, and that's how it's listed on most namesites. Though can see the logic of it being short for Lorraine.
No idea why it would be short for Adrienne, the sound and letter combination doesn't tie up.

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

I thought the same thing, but my mothers answer was simply "and what's the connection between Jack and John?" which, I suppose, is hard to argue.

She seemed to think that this was a very common and well accepted shortening that most people would recognise. I remain unconvinced.

As for Lorraine, I know a woman who shortens it to Raine and I had always assumed that was what most Raines were actually called. I knew some people would choose it as the given name, but then people do choose to name thier kids Jack or Maddie, even though I'd think of them more as nicknames, if that makes sense. I've always liked Raine, and Lorraine not so much, and I thought if I named a kid Raine then I'd forever get the look of 'you should have put the whole name on the birth certificate'.

So this is very enlightening :)

[lind-saay.livejournal.com]

You won't get that look. Raine is a recent addition to the naming world thanks to hippie parents. It could be used as a nickname for Lorraine, but I don't think many people see it as a nickname (although it is much better suited as one).

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Uh not necessarily, I know there is an explanation but can't recall the details off hand.

Why would Adrienne even need a nickname that badly anyway?
Ao I'm with you. Both names are uncommon anyway, and there's not a clear connection (or years of history).

I've never met a Lorraine that went by Raine (or any nickname at all really). And the Rain/Raines I know of have that standing alone. So no I think as Rain is a word, and word names are common, people would go that root.

Ultimatly my preference with nicknames is either really obvious shortening; or something unexpected that evolved to suit the individual. I'm not one for deciding in advance or 'well I like x, what can it be short for/lengthened to'.

[qalanjo.livejournal.com]

If I met someone named Raine I would just assume that it was their full name. Raine and Lorraine are just two totally different styles of names and even though Lorraine has -raine in it, they just don't go together, lol.

[amaterasa.livejournal.com]

I have actually never heard Lorraine shortened to Raine, although I guess in makes sense. I don't think you would have a problem with people thinking her full name is Raine because I don't think it is a common connection.

[unmowngrass.livejournal.com]

If it was Rain I would think it was hippyish (at least originally, now more common), in a similar vein to River, Cloud, etc. If it was Raine, I would probably think it's short for Lorraine. And, to be honest, if I met someone called Raine (or Rain, as it would be verbal) I'd say "Oh, as in Lorraine?", to check I'd got it right. Both the pronunciation (sometimes my hearing goes) and the nature of their full name. Sorry.

[cremepuff.livejournal.com]

It could go either way for me, I think.