Ruby or Madeleine - lost in the pros & cons!

[hawaiibaby]

They are very different from each other I know.

Have had my heart set on Madeleine nn Maddy for a few months, DH really likes and I thought we had it sewn up but the last month he's had doubts; thinks he'd never actually use Madeleine and that it's a bit fussy, long and hard to spell and she'd be forever spelling it for people. He has a point as I have a shorter French name but I almost always have to spell it and when growing up, I just wanted a 'normal' name - however mine is more unusual than Madeleine - I think everyone knows it and how to pronounce it?

He threw in Ruby last week when we were looking online and we both love it. It is obviously the easier of the two to know and spell, we like all the song associations and that it means precious stone

Still have 8 weeks to go but am worried about making the wrong decision, and whether I am holding on to Madeleine because I imagined using it for quite a while, or if I'll regret it if we don't use such a beautiful name. I obviously want DH to love it too though, it is his child and all that! (But I think he could probably be persuaded!) We used 'my' favourite for DS so that is somewhere in my mind too, not that DH has said that and I know it's more important we choose the right name rather than picking one each or anything like that.

Which do you prefer and any particular reason?
TIA

[WanderingTrolley1]

I prefer Ruby, sounds sweeter and less of a mouthful.

[FarrowandBallAche]

Madeleine 100%
It's a beautiful name.
Ruby is ok.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

Ruby Madeleine sounds nice.

I wanted Ruby, but DS2 was a DS. :)

[kimlo]

I prefer Madeleine. Ruby is really popular.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Madeleine. You can't fault it. IMO. It's pretty elegant, and classic. And not too common.
Ruby is everywhere.

[DramaAlpaca]

Madeleine is a classic whereas Ruby is very 'now' and I think it may sound dated in a few years.

Madeleine also has more nn options.

I like both, but my personal preference would be for Madeleine.

[MrsLeighHalfpenny]

I think Ruby us an awful name (sorry Rubies).
I can't get past the ruby murray thing.

[BeautyIsTruth]

Madeleine's not hard to spell! Yeah there are 3 spellings - Madeleine, Madeline or Madelyn but Madeleine is the most popular and pronounced slightly differently to the others. I really don't think it will be that much of a problem and Madeleine is much more elegant and nicer for a grown woman than Ruby IMO.

[CrystalMcPistol]

I'd go for for Madeleine. It's quite classic and will age well.


Ruby won't, it's a bit faddy.

[mrsschu]

Madeleine is so much nicer than Ruby. Ruby is fine but is faddish IMO. I think it will date quickly. Madeleine is classic. I do have to think about it before I write it but I don't think it's the end of the world. I have a popular 70's/80's name which has a few different spellings. Although I use the most common spelling, people still ask me often which way I spell it but that doesn't bother me at all.

[handonhip]

Madeleine is elegant and won't date.

[Sophronia]

Madeleine is much nicer than Ruby.

[minipie]

Yet another vote for Madeleine, hands down.

Ruby would make a good middle name if you want.

[WannaBeAMummy16]

I adore Ruby. I can't help but think of Madeleine McCann when I hear the name Madeleine, but then I'd never heard it on a child before she went missing.

[NapoleonsNose]

I had my heart set on Madeleine Ruby for our second, only he turned out to be DS. I love Madeleine as it was my Nana's name :)

[FarrowandBallAche]

Wanna why what do you mean that you think of Madeleine McCann?

She is a little girl missing not a mass murderer.

Madeleine is a beautiful name.

[WannaBeAMummy16]

Hearing the name automatically makes me think of the sweet little girl missing. I wouldn't not use it because of her, but like I said, I'd never heard the name on a child before she went missing.

[ashesandfire]

Madeleine is beautiful and totally easy to spell.

[kaymondo]

I love Madeleine, but have to say that the name always feels a little tinged with sadness now because of the mccanns. I decided against it for DC1 for that reason (and he turned out to be a boy anyway). Now, 6 years down the line I would be more inclined to consider it. It is a beautiful, classic name.

Ruby is very 'of this time'. Still a nice name though.

[Melonaire]

Madeleine is a really beautiful name. Ruby isn't.

[StealthPolarBear]

Yes madeleien is a sad name for me now. But possibly if you are ten years younger than me it won't have the same association. I like ruby, it's lovely.

[Jw35]

I prefer Madeleine although I do think of the MCcanns. Ruby reminds me of Ruby Wax. I also think Ruby has gone a bit common these days.

[cece]

Madeleine is a lovely name but I really dislike the nn Maddie - I therefore wouldn't use it.

However, I much prefer it to Ruby.

[crapfatbanana]

I much prefer Madeleine. It's a beautiful name.

[AveEldon]

Prefer Ruby