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Baby names

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

Original poster

Madeleine

39 replies

CheerfulYank · 09/10/2012 20:27

Is it overdone? I really don't know any. I do know a lot of Madisons, though (am American) and worry that people would think that was her name if we called her Maddie.

Thoughts?

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Gwennan · 10/10/2012 12:32

There's nothing wrong with Madeleine but it is very much associated with the very tragic Madeleine McCann in the UK.

I think it will be lost in a sea of Madisons, Madelyns, Madelines, etc. in the States.

It is a lovely name. If you like Maddie, why not Matilda with the nickname Mattie? It's similar but a bit different.

nappyaddict · 10/10/2012 12:16

It is quite popular.

What about:

Sylvie, Jeannie, Ana, Patricia, June, Cynthia, Rosemary, Rita, Lillian, Wendy, Tulip, Gillian, Darrell, Sally, Gwendoline, Mavis, Mabel, Minnie, Maggie, Judith/Jude, Janey, Clara, Anastasia, Rosa, Audrey, Miriam (Mimi), Hazel, Dorothy, Jenna, Stefya, Peggy, Alison (Ally), Margot, Frances, Betty, Angelina, Angelica, Maree, Teresa (Tessa/Tessie), Natalia, Belinda, Mildred, Millicent, Tatiana, Loretta, Enid, Bessie, Bethan, Lispeth, Elspeth, Esther, Elsa, Elise, Elodie, Louisa, Luisa, Lara, Annabella, Cora, Pansy, Flora, Rowan, Delilah, Deliah, Carlotta, Nancy, Claudia, Henrietta, Harrietta, Etta, Daphne, Diana, Penelope, Nell, Beatrice, Beatrix, Vera, Susannah, Edith, Olive, Seraphina, Sefarina, Julietta, Josephina, Ethel, Petula, Dixie, Phoenix, Elvira, Miranda, Hilda, Barbara, Pearl, Hillary, Tabitha, Opal, Emmelina, Isadora, Theadora, Kitty, Genevieve, Helena, Lillith, Rosalind, Cordelia, Lisbet, Arabella, Claribel, Clementine, Norah, Evelina, Lucinda, Persephone, Jessamy, Fearne, Greta, Honor, Iona, April.

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 09/10/2012 22:44

I do have the McCann association, but like I said the knowledge of her is not as widespread here in the States.

Also, because I loved the books so much as a little girl, I think of those first, then little Madeleine McCann.

Hmmm...lots to think about!

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HolyAutumnGoldBatman · 09/10/2012 22:42

I really like it and it was on my list, but at the moment it just makes me think of Madeleine McCann too much to use.

PuppyMonkey · 09/10/2012 21:05

My DD is Madeleine (she's 15 now). Named cos of my love of TV series Moonlighting. Smile

Maddie for short.

humblebumble · 09/10/2012 21:04

It's a lovely name. I can't say Madeline McCann springs to mind immediately. I think the nickname Maddie is very cute too.

hackneyzoo · 09/10/2012 21:02

DD1's middle name is Madeleine (It was my Mum's name too) and I love it. Have had lots of positive comments about it too.
Prefer the 'eine' spelling because otherwise I think people would emphasise 'line' in thier pronunciation and it sounds a bit odd.
My Mum often got called Mad or Maddy, which I really like as a nickname, but know it's not to everyone's taste.

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 09/10/2012 20:57

I may spell is Madeline anyway, without the other "e", because I love the books about the little girl so much and would like to have the covers framed in my DD's hypothetical nursery. :) (I am pregnant but don't know what I'm having.)

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happypotamus · 09/10/2012 20:48

I've never met a baby/ child named Madeleine, and I do meet a lot of babies in my job. I love it, it was on my short-list for DD but DH vetoed it because of Madeleine McCann. DD's birthday is within days of the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance so maybe he had a point. It's on my current list for hypothetical DC2 still.

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 09/10/2012 20:45

Madeleine McCann is a thought of course (poor darling :( ) but though she is known in the States it's not an immediate connection for most people.

OP posts:
Minty82 · 09/10/2012 20:34

Beautiful name, and I don't know any little ones. Unfortunately Madeleine McCann leaps to mind for me too, but don't think that's a reason to put the name beyond use - you just might want to bear in mind that people will think of it, and weigh up whether that bothers you.

YouMayLogOut · 09/10/2012 20:31

A pretty name, much nicer than Madison (too place-namey)

HeatOnGentlyGently · 09/10/2012 20:29

Lovely name but very much associated with Madeleine McCann for me.

BillyBollyBandy · 09/10/2012 20:28

I LOVE it.

HTH Grin

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