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Baby names

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

Original poster

Esme???

63 replies

EffieB · 20/09/2010 17:01

Don't know what it is but every time I think I like a name I've gone off it a week later- the current contender is Esme- what do you think? Have a complicated surname so a shortish but not too common first name needed!

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Original poster
EffieB · 21/09/2010 21:36

Goodness it is truly a love/hate name isn't it?

Can't do an accent, would just feel way too fake French- which is one of my bugbears about name choices when people whip off to other cultures/ countries to raid their loveliest names with no other connection to it at all. It always feels a bit 'monster scaled white wedding' when you've not seen the inside of a church before or since. So it would be an English Ez-may if we chose it I reckon.

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GingaNinja · 21/09/2010 14:37

My cousin used it. But our family being the piss-rippers that they are, there were an awful lot of "Es-may 'at on?" [trans: Is my hat on? for those non-Yorkshire speakers] comments.... Must admit I thought it was unusual.

Are you bothered by child having to spell the name out all it's life? This was one of my main pre-occupations/considerations. Have had to spell my name, all 4 letters, for last 40 yrs. Sigh. (Clue: Features in that well known nursery rhyme involving Jack and a pail of water. And it ain't Jack.)

Patsy99 · 21/09/2010 14:27

Lovely name, whichever way you pronounce it (but isn't Es-may more usual?)

OkieCokie · 21/09/2010 13:36

I liked this name until I read this thread. I knew a very distinguished lady called Esme and pronounced Es-mee. I did not even consider the Ez-may pronunciation which I frankly do not like and would hate for my DD to get called this. Hence it is now off my list!

MrsvWoolf · 21/09/2010 12:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

deliakate · 21/09/2010 12:45

I don't like it, but probably because it reminds me of a very very obese brownies leader we once had.

MrsvWoolf · 21/09/2010 12:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bue · 21/09/2010 12:03

I love the name, but only pronounced ez-may. As you can see, this is one that really divides people!

DandyDan · 21/09/2010 09:06

Esme, with love and squalor: brilliant beautiful name.
I'd pronounce it Es-mee

johnnycomelurky · 20/09/2010 22:37

Haha my baby name book says it's French with an pronunciation of Ez-mee! Regardless, it is a pretty name.

rachel234 · 20/09/2010 22:32

Isn't she a witch?

Dawnybabe · 20/09/2010 22:30

It makes me think of Esme Weatherwax and am therefore v. impressed.

rachel234 · 20/09/2010 22:27

I like the French pronounciation: Es-meh (hard to explain in English) and really don't like the English pronounciations, be they they Es-MEE or Es-MAY.

liliputlady · 20/09/2010 22:14

(Tiptoes in to say..) like both pronunciations - really pretty - but wouldn't be my choice of name because of disagreements of how to pronounce it. But I'm a plain Jane kind of name-chooser.

NotanOtter · 20/09/2010 22:09

Esme is a pretty name

PuppyMonkey · 20/09/2010 22:07

Might have to hide this thread as getting wound up now. Esme "hideous" - pah, up yours.

chaya5738 · 20/09/2010 22:06

Es-mee sounds like pee.

Heh heh

PuppyMonkey · 20/09/2010 22:04

Esmay sounds like dismay.

chaya5738 · 20/09/2010 22:01

I definitely prefer the Ez-may pronunciation.

LOL that someone is citing previous MN debates as authority on the pronunciation. Blind leading the blind, surely? I think I would definitely prefer an etymologist on this. Might have to resort to google...heh heh.

[comes back]

It is Old French, no? So the accent and pronunciation wouldn't be an affectation? Either way Ez-mee just sounds hideous.

Rach109 · 20/09/2010 21:39

I only like Esme when PN Ez - may

Fennel · 20/09/2010 21:34

As well as the Salinger love and squalor Esmé
there is an androgynous Esmé in one of my favourite Saki stories. It's a hyena, they don't know the sex so they call it Esmé. It eats a stray toddler.

I like it. whichever way you pronounce it, with or without an accent. I did come across an Ismay which is another variation.

PuppyMonkey · 20/09/2010 21:19

Oh no, not the great "esme is French so you have to put an accent on" corker on MN again! Comes up every six months. Last time, someone came along and categorically proved it's not even a French name and loads of websites that say it is are talking bolleaux. Tis Scottish. Do a MN search, it'll come up.

DD is es-meeee btw. So ner. Butcher my arse. Esmay not nearly as nice. And the accent thing is just daft.

Linnet · 20/09/2010 21:13

I love the name Esme, I would use it and I would pronounce it ez-may.

40someMum · 20/09/2010 21:11

sp pronunciation

40someMum · 20/09/2010 21:10

i just dont get the pronounciation thing
surely it is

Esmé = Ez May

Ezmee= Esmee ie not a name at all

I totally disagree with greensleeves Ezmee is AWFUL