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Baby names

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

Original poster

Martha or Emma?

78 replies

insanelycheerful · 19/05/2014 14:49

Which of these do you prefer and why? I love both and am being (typically!) indecisive!

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Original poster
insanelycheerful · 21/05/2014 16:17

Brokenhearted - I assume they are adults though? I know quite a few adult Emmas, from school days, work etc but don't know any babies or children called Emma. I feel it was very popular when I was born/growing up, but is much less popular now? Not that popularity is a major factor for me, but at the same time I know I am slightly put off a name if I already know lots of little ones with the same name.

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devoncreamtea · 21/05/2014 16:16

I have an Emma. My husband chose the name, I had all sorts of ideas on my list - Iris, Lois....but he really wanted to choose, so Emma it is. And I have to say that it is perfect. Great sound, great look when written - strong, but feminine and works with my other children's names.

I know of lots of Emmas of my age (34) and around, my name is Kate - so hundreds of us too - although I notice that it's coming back into fashion now...(old!!) but of my Emmas age (5) none. Absolutely nada. Emilia/Amelia/Amelie but no Emma's. So I feel quite smug and ahead of the times!!

Martha is a beautiful name too, but I think perhaps more popular atm. Both names would work well together as a first and middle too perhaps?

Let us know what you choose!

jalapenobusiness · 21/05/2014 15:41

Love Martha

brokenhearted55a · 21/05/2014 15:23

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brokenhearted55a · 21/05/2014 15:22

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baskingseals · 21/05/2014 15:17

Definitely Emma.

alita7 · 21/05/2014 14:30

I love Emma!

smokeandfluff · 21/05/2014 14:01

Love Martha.

Original poster
insanelycheerful · 20/05/2014 13:16

Ratqueen that is funny that your grandma was Martha Emma!

I do like the combination of Martha, Florence and Emma all together, but not sure DH will agree to 2 middle names when the boys only have one each....He has no middle name and his sisters do. I suspect this has always felt a bit odd to him!

I did start to wonder about Florence Emma to avoid EFC, but realised this gives us FEC, which is potentially worse!

Thanks to everyone for comments and suggestions, it does help even if I seem as indecisive as ever!

Thanks also santas for saying why you don't like Emma. It seems such a shame to shorten such a lovely name to Em.

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SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 20/05/2014 08:56

Hi. I didn't have particular feeling about it when I was younger, but I don't like it at all as an adult. It's just quite boring & always shortened to Em, which I can't stand! I'd rather have a name with either more options for shortening (nice ones!) or something more interesting.

ratqueen · 20/05/2014 07:17

To avoid the EFC I mean...

ratqueen · 20/05/2014 07:16

Emma is a gorgeous, classic name. I like Martha and know two very sweet ones but I personally think Emma is timeless.

Martha Emma was my grandmother's name. She didn't like Martha and was known as Emma. It is a nice name though... You could always call her Martha Florence Emma (or whatever) then choose one to call her which you prefer.

fancyacupoftea · 19/05/2014 22:49

I really like both.

I'd never even considered Martha as a name until OBEM the other week when one of the women giving birth was called Martha and I was instantly drawn to it.

So I'd vote Martha.

Vijac · 19/05/2014 22:43

Emma definitely

Original poster
insanelycheerful · 19/05/2014 22:21

Emma Martha Florence is lovely! And you are right, 2 middle names would solve the issue of EFC. Our other 2 DCs only have one middle name each though. Would it be unfair to give this one two middle names?! DH seemed to think so. We have 2 DSs, so it would mean doing something different for a girl. Having said that, surely this one is likely to be a boy too, so all this agonising could well be pointless!!

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Original poster
insanelycheerful · 19/05/2014 22:21

Emma Martha Florence is lovely! And you are right, 2 middle names would solve the issue of EFC. Our other 2 DCs only have one middle name each though. Would it be unfair to give this one two middle names?! DH seemed to think so. We have 2 DSs, so it would mean doing something different for a girl. Having said that, surely this one is likely to be a boy too, so all this agonising could well be pointless!!

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Original poster
insanelycheerful · 19/05/2014 22:20

Emma Martha Florence is lovely! And you are right, 2 middle names would solve the issue of EFC. Our other 2 DCs only have one middle name each though. Would it be unfair to give this one two middle names?! DH seemed to think so. We have 2 DSs, so it would mean doing something different for a girl. Having said that, surely this one is likely to be a boy too, so all this agonising could well be pointless!!

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Original poster
insanelycheerful · 19/05/2014 22:17

Grin At Bowlers!!

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Original poster
insanelycheerful · 19/05/2014 22:17

Santas have you never liked it? Can you say why?

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regularbutpanickingabit · 19/05/2014 22:14

Emma Martha Florence sounds perfect!

Bowlersarm · 19/05/2014 22:11

Emma.

And just change your allegiance to a different football team. Easy.

adaloveslace · 19/05/2014 22:08

Martha. Tom Waits. Job done Smile

regularbutpanickingabit · 19/05/2014 22:08

Emma Martha Florence would work beautifully!

Mynewone · 19/05/2014 22:00

I prefer Emma to Martha- Emma is a lovely classic name, Martha seems a bit faddy ATM. I love Annabel though fabulous name

SpottieDottie · 19/05/2014 22:00

Martha is lovely and not overused.