Not sure I can use my No1 girl's name but not sure I have one I love as much...

[Heatethelastrolo]

I am expecting a baby girl in December. From when I was little the girls name I always imagined I would use is Madeline. It is my Mum's name and to this day I think it is a beautiful name...classic, classy, timeless, not outstandingly popular at the moment. However as is always the case when it comes to actually giving a child a name for life, I have started to weigh up the pros and cons in my head and I have cold feet.

Part of me feels it would be nice to give my baby her own unique name. It feels a bit unoriginal seeings we have one already in our family and I worry people will think it's odd. My Mum is an amazing person and as well as loving the name I think she would be delighted so that isn't a problem, but at the moment it is very much her name so I worry about my baby having something to live up to.

However my dilemma is, I compare every other name I think of to this name and can't find one I love as much. Other names which come close for me (but are completely different I know!!) Are:

Saffron (Saffy) - this comes very close but bit worried it's not classic or timeless?
Orla/Orlaith - very pretty but not 100%
April - think am more likely to use as a middle name for sentimental reasons but do think its very pretty

Names I like but don't quite hit the mark are:

Ariana
Arabella
Anna
Farrah

All completely different I know, sorry. Thoughts or ideas appreciated!!

[noblegiraffe]

Two of my family members have the same name and it's a bit confusing at times to have to clarify which one is meant. I'd give your mum's name as a middle name instead.

I'd avoid Saffy as that reminds me of Ab Fab! Orla is nice.

[ChippingInLatteLover]

I wouldn't use Madeline because of the McCanns, that will forever be the association for me. If that doesn't bother you then use it. You are overthinking the 'living up to it' thing, really you are.

Also, unless you pick something utterly random, it's not going to be 'her own unique name'.

[ChippingInLatteLover]

Three generations of our family have the same male name, no confusion over who is who. Context solves most of it Dad/Uncle/'our' x etc sorts the left over bits out :)

[Heatethelastrolo]

Thanks for the opinions so far! noble I thought I might get the ab fab thing with Saffy but that doesnt worry me too much. chipping the Madeleine McCann thing doesn't worry me because Madeline is my Mum's name long before and also in my mind Madeleine McCann was an innocent child so it's not like the name has been tarnished. Also when I say unique, I mean unique to my family...it doesn't really bother me how popular the name is to people I don't know. My DS has a top 25 name.

Thanks chipping thats good to know...I would also use the nickname Maddie sometimes if it came about, which my DM doesn't get at all

[moxon]

Around my friends and family group it is not uncommon for first names to be passed on in one line, skipping a generation. There really is never any confusion. It's a nice tribute, and invariably the new DC put their own stamp on it and carry the name in their own right.

[3pigsinblanketsandasausagerole]

Orla is lovely as is arabella

[babyblabber]

I don't see any problem using your mums name. i'm not into kids having the same name as their parents but this is 2 generations apart. it's a lovely tribute to your mum and will be so nice for your daughter to have that extra bond to her grandmother for her whole life. I can't imagine anyone thinking it's odd at all.

if it's your favourite them defo use it. your other names are lovely too (although hate the orlaith spelling) but go with your heart!

[HerbieRidesAgain]

Maybe consider a derivative of Madeline, I can't think of any of top of my head but would Madison work, nn Maddie? I am not a fan myself of names after parents but grandparents are a generation removed os work for me, my own daughter was named 1st name after my ex grandmother and mn was my own grandmother

[bindiboo]

I think her being named after her lovely Granny is lovely. As is the name Madeline.

I really like Orla too although it is growing in popularity and I predict will be the next 'Isla'

[OhMjh]

I'm a Madeleine, shortened to Maddy - I know I'm biased but I think it's a lovely name. I haven't really met any others and I like having the option of Madeleine for any formal things (mail/bills/work).

You could always give her Madeleine as a middle name if you don't feel it's right for a first name, that's what we're doing for the LO in my tummy at the moment.

[wigglesrock]

I think Madeline is lovely and the nicest on your list. I wouldn't worry about your mum having the same name, it's quite common where I am and as I said it is a really nice name. I find Orla dull, it's a bit old fashioned where I live.

I have a daughter with a name on your almost but not quite list and obviously I really like but my husband always championed Madeline when we were making lists .

[BlackberryandNettle]

Madeline is lovely. If you what something different, how about Marina?

[Smartiepants79]

I prefer Madeleine a lot, lot more than any of your other choices.
I don't really like any of them.
Personally I love names with a family connection. I don't like naming after parents but after grandparents is lovely.
I would stick with your original choice if I was you.

[Irishkez]

Madeleine is a beautiful name.

I love the name Orla although I work in a maternity ward and we have had so many Orlas recently (Scotland). I still would use it though but I think a previous poster was spot on with it possibly becoming uber popular but that doesn't sound like that bothers you.

Best of luck!

[wattlegirl]

I think you should go for it and call her Madeline. I do not think you will regret it, as you might if you don't use it.

Regarding your other suggestions, I agree that April is a very pretty and lovely name. Madeline April sounds like a name to be proud of.

[minkah]

Madeleine is the winner out of all the names you listed. It's a truly beautiful name.

She'll make it her own.

Go for it!

[Coughle]

I think you will regret it if you don't use it. It is a beautiful name and you have a beautiful reason for wanting to use it. She will likely be called Maddy or Linny or something affectionately, it's not like people will mix them up.

[Thumbwitch]

Yes, I agree you should use Madeline - the same way as the French schoolgirl from the eponymous books, or the same as Madeleine? Or Maddylin? (could be overthinking this - to me they're all different!)

Madeline April is lovely as a name. :)

[Mumoftwoyoungkids]

Madelena? Madison? Lynette?

[wildernessagogo]

Orla Madeleine?

[Rustyzilla]

I love the name Madeleine, it's on our shortlist too. But I was also worried about the McCann connection, so glad to see only one person has mentioned it! Madeleine/Madeline April is a great name!

[birdofthenorth]

Madeleine is imho the loveliest of your list by far. Your mum will be delighted and you and others you know will lose the fixed associations to your mother as soon as your daughter Madeleine is here.

[dorasee]

We were going to name our DD Saffron. We named her Madeleine. You have great taste. :-)

[manicinsomniac]

I really like Madeline and think naming her after her Grandma is a lovely idea.

I wouldn't worry about the Madeleine McCann connection for a second (this always comes up on Madeline/Madeleine threads and I find it very odd). Madeleine is a common enough name. I teach 3 and I don't ever think of Madeleine McCann when I call their name.

However ... I'm afraid I would think twice about Madeleine April!

I like April as a middle name for any of your other names (and for a first name actually) and also really like Saffron and Arabella. Anna and Farrah are both lovely too but I don't like Orla or Ariana much.

[Heatethelastrolo]

Sorry I have been away so long, I have been trying to find the time to reply to everyone by name but i'll never get round to it sorry so in answer to some of your questions...

Really really happy to see the overwhelming consensus that after a grandparent is fine/lovely and more so that i'm not going mad and Madeline really is the nicest, thought I has some bias going on! Amazed that a few of you have some similar lists as well as none of them are massively common names, especially together.

Mumoftwo i really love Madelena, that could work well - I had been toying with Magdelena but wasnt sure if i'd be comfortable with Maggie if this came about.

A couple of other names that have been floating around in my head are Camille and Carmel...do you think these come close?

Thanks again all!