Madeleine or Clementine?

[Mh0296]

Hello!

We're trying to agree on a name for DD who is still nameless (though we've been nicknaming her Mimi for the time being which I guess works for either name!)
I'm English, DH French and we live in England. So the name had to be pronounceable in French, but not sound 'weird' in England which we think applies to both. I know Madeleine is considered old fashioned in France but is known well in both countries so won't cause any arguments! I've never met an English Clementine. Does it sound a bit odd (and maybe a bit pretentious?! We're really not like that!) we pronounce it Clemen-teen rather than -Tyne. Have already had a few 'satsuma/orange' comments from family.
We don't mind the nicknames Maddy/clemmie when she's older but would probably stick to her full name or Mimi as a family.
Other names we considered were Violette, Amélie, Clara, Florence/Flora, Rosa, Matilda.
Her middle names will be either Elsa/Elsie Jane after family members.
So.. Madeleine Elsa/Elsie Jane or Clementine Elsa/Elsie Jane ?

Thanks for any help! :-)

[jeee]

I like Madeleine.

Clementine isn't bad - but if I heard it I'd be mentally singing 'Oh my darling Clementine'. And it tends to get abbreviated to Clemmy, which is just horrible - a cross between clammy and phlegmy.

Go with Madeleine!

[ACM88]

I like both, prefer the nn for clementine, as I really dislike maddy!

[Molotov]

I prefer Clementine (albeit pronounced clemen-tyne). If ner nn is Mimi, as long as you introduce that and call her Mimi from the get go, nn like Clemmy shouldn't factor (ideally)

However, I honestly think your dd might have an easier time being Madeleine. Just go with your gut instinct. What name does she look like?

[LineRunner]

Love both.

Clem and Mads are nice nns.

[PuppyMonkey]

I like Madeleine and the nickname Maddie. In fact, I like it so much, I've got one of my own who is now 17.

[flightywoman]

Clementine as a name pre-dates the fruit...

I know a young Clem, I think most people give up the orange joke pretty quickly, especially if you treat with the boredom it deserves.

[Sophronia]

Clementine. Madeleine reminds me too much of Madeleine McCann.

[ThursdayLast]

Love love love Clementine.

[MilkandCereal]

Madeleine. It's a beautiful name.

Clementine is horrid.

[CruCru]

I prefer Madeleine. For some reason I think Clementine is more of a novelty name.

[Mh0296]

Wow, thanks for all the replies!

Sophronia I do worry about the Madeleine McCann connection. At least the children she grows up with won't be familiar with the case, but I suppose their parents will be.
Molotov The problem is she doesn't really look like a Madeleine or a Clementine - they both seem such big names for such a little person!

I do worry that Clementine is a bit of a 'marmite' name, people seem to have strong opinions on it either way whereas Madeleine is more common so seems to be more accepted.
Asking family is useless. English family think that Clementine would be a crazy hormonal decision and she'd be teased for life. French family think Madeleine is the name of a little old lady.

[IHeartKingThistle]

I think Clem/Clemmie is a way nicer nn than Maddie. I really like Clementine and would use it but I suspect lots of people in the UK would use the eye sound for it.

[Choc88]

I love Mimi ! Why not just have that ? Xx

[DramaAlpaca]

Clementine, pronounced as you do.

Love it.

[ILoveCoreyHaim]

What about Romilly, i have one and have never met another in RL. Works in French or English

[ILoveCoreyHaim]

Works with the NN as well

[DitzyDonkey]

Clementine without a doubt....stunning!

[Kaekae]

I like Clementine but I never know whether I should be pronouncing it Clemen-teen or -Tyne. . My recently pregnant sister had Madeleine as her top name but she had a boy! I really wouldn't worry about the McCann connection at all.

[florascotia]

Clementine, definitely. Very pretty. Works well both sides of the Channel.

I prefer Magdalen to Madeleine, but I don't know how that might be received the French side of your family.

[ShovettyMcShovetty]

Clementine by a country mile and a half!

Would Miriam work? Think that works in either language. Or maybe Sylvie or Amelie, unless that's a bit overdone now.

[Gingerjv]

I love both names!!! reall difficult to choose)) But maybe the first place goes to Clementine Elsa Jane;-)

[wizzler]

Madeleine much preferred!

I had a friend Miriam who is nn Mimi..

[juneybean]

I have a 2 year old charge that is a Clementine (tyne) aka Clemmie, it suits her amazingly, I love it :)

[Iownafourinchporsche]

Clementine easily