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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

So tell me about Madeleine...

102 replies

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 12:34

I know there are threads on this already but I want up to date opinions please :)

So, being on the verge of throttling DH (who the hell decided it was a good idea to give men a say in what their children were called ffs? ), we are debating Madeleine.

We like the name a lot, it goes with middle and surname, neither of us think it has any bad associations. After all, you could rule out thousands of names if you took any notice of bad things that had happened to people.

But, I've mentioned it in passing to 3 or 4 people and every one of them has gone "ooh, not sure, reminds me of..."

They're mad aren't they? Most normal people won't think this, will they?

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Ebb · 19/09/2011 12:40

I love the name Madeleine and the nn Maddy. You could probably associate most names with something bad. People will always have an opinion if you tell them before you've had the baby. Once you've had the baby and tell people the name, only very rude people would comment negatively.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 12:44

I know, that is the downside. The only reason I'm mentioning it to the people in question is that they have children at the local schools so I'm angling for info on how popular the names are in the local area! It was one of about 6 names I mentioned.

And my mother who is as mad as a bicycle anyway :)

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Tillyscoutsmum · 19/09/2011 12:46

I love the name. We were torn between Madeleine and Matilda for dd. We went with the latter and I am glad we did because she was born the day before MM went missing . I think at that time, it really would have been the only association people would have made with the name.

I personally think enough time has passed now - obviously people haven't forgotten but it is long enough for it not to be the automatic association (particularly after your dd is here iyswim ?)

duchesse · 19/09/2011 12:48

We called 2yo DD3 Madeleine and I'm seriously wishing we hadn't (Madeleine McGann effect and "Maddie" which makes my teeth itch) Thinking of swapping her names over. I never expected people to keep banging on about Madeleine Mcgann. We always loved the name but have gone right off over the last 2 years.

Rhubarbgarden · 19/09/2011 12:50

It's a name that makes me feel sad. Sorry.

anewmotivatedme · 19/09/2011 12:51

I love the name. I must admit the first thing that comes into my mind is MM though. However, there are lots of names with associations, and once you meet the person it is their name, rather than any association. If that makes sense.

PuppyMonkey · 19/09/2011 12:52

I have a nearly 15 year old called Madeleine, known to all as Maddie. Maybe a bit different for us as we had her years before THAT Madeleine, but no-one has ever mentioned it to us in all these years. And if they did, so what? We like the name.

I named her in honour of Moonlighting btw.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 12:55

Ha ha! My dd would be named in honour of Maddie Hayes as well :o although I have a feeling she was a Madelyn... Maybe that's why I don't have the same feeling about it, too busy thinking of Bruce Willis and colour co-ordinated suits and shoes :)

duchesse it really bothers you to such an extent that you're thinking of changing it? That's really sad. Obviously it is still out there then if you feel so strongly about it.

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hugebluebump · 19/09/2011 13:00

Madeleine is nice.

But Maddy = someone who is Mad. That is all I can think of when I hear MAD-ie, sorry.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 13:04

That doesn't bother me, I like Maddie as a nn.

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PippiLongBottom · 19/09/2011 13:07

My Madeleine is 9.6 and, yes, all people associate the name with is Madeleine McCann. DD isn't remotely bothered by this though. We all hate the nickname Maddie. She prefers Mads. I am one of those mothers who insists on her full name at all times.

notsofastmrbond · 19/09/2011 13:12

Absolutely love it. One of my DD's has it as a middle name. The other DD is called Eloise, if you're into french names.

BuntyPenfold · 19/09/2011 13:13

It's my favourite name, but I have heard 'Oh, it's unlucky now.' ffs
Madeleine McCann was unlucky, not her name.
I think a lot of people are, frankly, ridiculous. A tragedy may happen tomorrow to a child of any name; how can we tell?

notsofastmrbond · 19/09/2011 13:14

Strange that people say that about that name. It's not like people have been put off using Millie, Holly and Jessica.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 13:16

Oh dear, this isn't turning out as positive as I'd hoped. I thought no one seriously would mention it in relation to Madeleines they come across in the street.

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BuntyPenfold · 19/09/2011 13:16

That's true mrbond
I wonder why?

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 13:17

See, Bunty's and mrbond's were the responses I expected if I'm honest.

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PuppyMonkey · 19/09/2011 13:21

Unlucky name ffs, people are knob ends aren't they?

still, it means it'll never be a common name. So whatevers.

TrillianAstra · 19/09/2011 13:23

I thought no one seriously would mention it in relation to Madeleines they come across in the street.

I should hope not.

Who exactly would, on being told the name of someone's new baby, think it appropriate to bring up a kidnapping case?

Ebb · 19/09/2011 13:35

I think no-one says the same about names like Holly, Jessica etc as we're know they're dead. With Maddy we don't know for certain and I think people will always hope that oneday she'll be found. I think it would be much harder having had a dd named Madeleine who was the same age as MM. Your DD will be 7/8yrs younger than MM so there should no association really.

ragged · 19/09/2011 13:38

It's a nice name, she will make it her own.
Now you try Diana, THAT'S a tainted name...

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 13:40

And our surname begins with an M :) Just realised that when you wrote MM

It is the best option we've got that we both agree on. Everything else is his choice or my choice and the other one hates them. I don't want to write it off for a silly reason.

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pinkthechaffinch · 19/09/2011 13:41

My sister has just named her new baby Rose,despite me unhelpfully reminding her about Fred West's wife-I'd go for it.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/09/2011 13:41

Diana? Hmmm...Diana....

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tiddleypompom · 19/09/2011 13:46

I hadn't even thought of Madeleine McCann when I saw the thread - was simply going to post that I love the name, it is pretty and elegant and belongs to a dear friend of mine - thereby having far happier associations.

I hope it isn't inappropriate to say that, though our generation may connect the name with the horrible story of MM, your daughter's most probably will not - hence you are not bestowing a negative name that DD will suffer with. Of course - it is up to you how you feel and whether the name has been spoilt for you - but FWIW it hasn't for me and I think it's lovely.

p.s. My mum's name is Diana and again, I don't associate it as tragic or sad - crikey we'd run out of names wouldn't we?

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