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Baby names

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

Original poster

Esme?

34 replies

flisspop · 19/06/2011 18:42

I really like Esme just I'm not too sure about Esmerelda but can't stand names that are shortened versions of others (both my parents have them, just "alex" and "jenny" as opposed to "alexander" and "jennifer", and I think they both indoctrinated me a bit). Middle name Rose.

However OH is not impressed with Esme at all, what do you think?

My sister said it makes her think of lesbians and social workers Hmm Not sure that that doesn't say more about her than my choice of names

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smartyparts · 26/06/2011 21:57

I like it but it's the new Sophie round these parts ie - very popular

Zimm · 26/06/2011 14:39

I love the name and was gutted when it started trending so I had to knock it off our list. won't have a top 100 name but that's just me!

itsastrawpoll · 25/06/2011 22:50

I really like it but the pronunciation DOES put me off.

This is the exact reasons that we didn't go with Eleanor because half of the world pronouce in El-un-Or and half pronounce it El-en-uh and I could not be fucked to correct half of the world all of the time.

Do love Esme though.

PiaFedora · 23/06/2011 21:15

ROFL Fennel Grin

Fennel · 23/06/2011 21:14

I think it used to be French male, and Esmee the female, but then it became unisex (in a Saki story - Edwardian times - they find a hyena, they don't know the sex, so they call it Esme. Esme then eats a lost toddler but that's perhaps off topic here).

tammytoby · 23/06/2011 21:14

eandemum, I think in French Esmee is the female version, just like Renee (e.g. Renee Zellweger) is the female version of Rene.

hockeyforjockeys · 23/06/2011 21:14

My great grandmother was called Esme, fairly certain she was neither a lesbian or a social worker (not that either is a bad thing, although being a lesbian might of hindered the next three generations!)

PiaFedora · 23/06/2011 21:03

DD3 has Ismay as one of her middle names. I like it Smile

cece · 23/06/2011 21:03

I thought it was a unisex name but was now used primarily for girls now.

eandemum · 23/06/2011 21:01

Shoobidoo THANK YOU SO MUCH for enlightening us all us mums of Esmes that we have ALL called our DDs a boys' name Hmm

cece · 23/06/2011 14:27

Blush at typos. Hope you get the jist...

cece · 23/06/2011 14:26

I agree I know a few small Esmes now. I think I know about 5 or 6 in my local area. All say it Esmee except for one who goes for the Esmay version.

Mine is Esmee - tbh in real life the pronounciation thing isn't a problem. Yes soemtimes people say it the wrong way (for us) but it wasy to correct.

TBH I have more trouble with my sons name and that is one of the most opoular names going! LOL

CulturallySophisticated · 22/06/2011 22:22

Love it!!! xx

smokinaces · 22/06/2011 20:44

My great-great Grandmother was an Esme, born 1882. Wasnt short for anything then, was a name in its own right even back then. Pronounced Es-Mee round here.

fannybanjo · 22/06/2011 20:41

I have an Esme Louisa - I've only met 2 others since she's been born so when I see threads on here saying it's common I'm always a bit Hmm - HOWEVER I do see it becoming more popular over next few years but unless you choose a really "out there" name, most girls names become popular as fashion predicts. Go for it if you can convince DP.

SenoritaViva · 22/06/2011 20:41

I think of it as Es may rather than Es mee too so i can see where there might be confusion.

I love the name (either way). I was keen, DH less so.

I have a name that everyone gets wrong, but I'm used to it. That's life really.

Fennel · 22/06/2011 20:34

I like lesbians and social workers, so Esme would be a fine name, I think.

SloganLogan · 22/06/2011 20:32

Don't like it at all, sorry.

scubamummy · 21/06/2011 10:38

I have a 5 month old Esme (Es-may with an accent above the e) Rose and she's rather fond of leisurely licking the face of her Sophie Giraffe...

MelinaM · 20/06/2011 17:58

Esmerelda is lovelySmile Do like Esme (Es-may), but I couldn't be doing with constantly having to correct the pro-nounciationGrin

FeathersMcGraw · 20/06/2011 16:58

I have Esme (pronounced Esmee) Rose.

She's only 2 so not sure if she is heading for a career as a social worker, or if she has a preference for girls :)

cece · 20/06/2011 16:53

In real life we don't have so much of a problem with pronouciation and spellings. Just here in mnland. Smile

LaydeeC · 20/06/2011 00:03

yes from me, I have an Esme (pron Esmee). She always gets comments on what a pretty name it is (obviously unsolicited - so the general consensus has been positive). She is 12 and loves her name.
But agree, do a search, this thread will get heated.
not sure about the lesbian social worker comment though - agree that this says more about your sister than the name (not that there is anything remotely wrong with being a gay social worker called Esme or any other name) but when someone previously suggested that they couldn't see an Esme in a serious profession, well, my gander was up...!

fairieswearboots · 19/06/2011 23:04

Wishywashy,confusion re pronunciation and spelling, - think it's a no

how about

Esther
Estella
Maeve

cece · 19/06/2011 22:13

I too have an Esme and yes the discussion will firstly turn to how to pronounce it, then whether it should have the accent and finally will finish off with the real origins of it.

But yes it is a lovely name but I think you need to choose one that you OH likes too.