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Baby names

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

Original poster

emma is too popular

59 replies

lrdavis · 01/08/2013 01:27

I have always loved the name Emma but it is so popular (not pregnant just talking to hubby) so I want to name a girl Emmaleigh pronounced Emily..... any thoughts?

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nobabe · 09/08/2013 08:17

I had to change my name because it wouldn't let me back on and my husband is the one who put the first comment under this name.

nobabe · 09/08/2013 08:15

OK well my Ryan will be rian. His dad would be Brian and I don't want a Jr but something close so I'm just taking the b off and using the same middle name. Sorry if that upsets you but that's what we will do.

Stokes · 09/08/2013 07:54

Thanks Master, couldn't remember if it was Irish, welsh or Scottish.

MasterFlea · 09/08/2013 06:24

The Rian name is Irish for Ryan. It is pronounced Ree-an in Ireland.

It has nothing to do with Brian or Bryan. Like o'Brien is different to O'Ryan or O Malley.

But in america names can be anything and spelt any old way. Or so I believe from watching too much US tv.

I love the name Emma. Have it on my short list for the imaginary no.3 dc.

nobabe · 09/08/2013 05:19

Then why is Brian still pronounced Bryan... its the same

Stokes · 08/08/2013 14:30

I love Emma and Emily. Emmaleigh is awful. Leigh is quite nice though!

Oh, and btw, I'm pretty sure the boy's name Rian is pronounced Ree-un, not the same as Ryan.

nobabe · 07/08/2013 20:38

I personally don't like boring spelling either so I understand switching it up I'm in the u.s. also and I have seem much weirder things:)

fuzzle · 07/08/2013 20:17

why bother making life complicated. Emily is lovely. Just as it is.

badtime · 07/08/2013 11:41

Try:

Emmeline
Emilia/Emiliana
Emerald
Emérence
Emina
Emmanuelle
Ember

Because you are in America, you could probably get away with Emmaleigh, but I don't think it's as nice as some of the real, more unusual 'Em-' names.

exoticfruits · 07/08/2013 06:05

I like both Emily and Emma. If you have Emily for goodness sake spell it properly or the poor girl will have a life time of having to spell it out for everyone and explain that 'yes, her parents could spell really, they were just trying to be 'original'.

nobabe · 07/08/2013 05:56

I think that it is odd... but I understand you not wanting a popular spelling. Its kinds pretty long but it looks pretty when you write it down :)

Supertrooper88 · 03/08/2013 10:03

Variations of Emma:

Emmaline
Emmalyn
Emmie
Emelia
Emerald
Emilie

Also:
Amelia
Amalie

Possibly:
Jemma/Gemma
Hannah
Ella

EatYourCrusts · 02/08/2013 12:44

Actually, if I had to write Emmaleigh every time I signed a Christmas card, my entire life, instead of Emily, I expect I would be very resentful by the age of 17. Those microseconds add up.

EatYourCrusts · 02/08/2013 12:42

His about Aymarly?

minesamalbec · 02/08/2013 12:36

Emma is a beautiful, classic name. I think Emily is probably more popular right now in the UK. However, I wouldn't spell it Emmaleigh, you'll spend her childhood correctly the spelling to others and she'll spend her adulthood doing the same and you'll never find a pencil,pencil case or cup with her name on it.

Monkeyandanimal · 02/08/2013 12:22

I would pronouce Emmaleigh as Emma-leigh; which sounds quite dallas-trailer-trashy; she will always be correcting people either on the pronunciation or the spelling if you do this! Emily lovely and Emma is really nice. I think more common among 30 and 40 year olds than in children now.

Monkeyandanimal · 02/08/2013 12:20

I would pronouce Emmaleigh as Emma-leigh; which sounds quite dallas-trailer-trashy; she will always be correcting people either on the pronunciation or the spelling if you do this! Emily lovely and Emma is really nice. I think more common among 30 and 40 year olds than in children now.

happyfrogger · 01/08/2013 21:54

I have a 1yo Emma - love it! Everyone loves it. Don't know any others.

petalpower · 01/08/2013 21:46

DD aged 11 is Emma. I love the name! I know lots of Emilys under the age of 11 but no other Emmas. Lots of my friends (aged 40ish!) are called Emma though.

Original poster
lrdavis · 01/08/2013 21:42

Hannah.... I didn't realize the big difference in spelling of names being odd in other places but except able in america

OP posts:
Bowlersarm · 01/08/2013 21:39

I think if you're American OP the same rules don't apply.

In that case Emmaleigh is fine, and she can drop the 'Leigh' bit when she's older, if she wants (or if she comes to live in Britain Wink)

formicadinosaur · 01/08/2013 21:36

There's also Hannah

formicadinosaur · 01/08/2013 21:35

Emily and Emma are classic and timeless. I only know one Emma and Emily both in their 30s. Lovely name.

Emmaleigh is plain awful. I'd expect an emmaleigh to be quite rough sorry.

What about Emme, Emmy, Emmeline or emerald,

SuddenlySqueamish · 01/08/2013 21:23

If you look on Dark Greener you'll see it is going down in popularity names.darkgreener.com/#emma

lljkk · 01/08/2013 21:20

ah, geographic context different.
Emma is rather rare over here for under 20s.
Emily is a dime a dozen over here among the under... 7s?
Look, MN is very conservative in name tastes and the most conventional spelling is usually favoured here. You live in a culture where it won't get frowned upon so much so do as you like.
Me, I am lazy and don't want my children to be burdened with having to explain how to spell their name all their lives. So my kids have the most boring names I could think of.

ps: irony is I myself have a common name with a bizarre spelling I chose, being as I'm American I got away with it. DH's name is even more boring than mine (regular spelling).