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Baby names

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

Original poster

I say Madeleine, you think...

136 replies

sunnyawry · 23/03/2015 22:50

Honest opinions needed.

She has a brother zach and a 3 syllable surname.

I don't know the sex but we seem to have a good few boys names we can agree on.

OP posts:
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Spartak · 25/03/2015 01:09

I'm not sure that the association will fade away soon sadly. The name Myra (which I actually like as a name) only conjures up one image in my mind and she was in prison for a decade before I was born.

HearTheThunderRoar · 25/03/2015 00:47

I think it's a gorgeous name, DD had a lovely friend called Madeleine who's since moved back to the USA.

Yeah, people don't seem to have a problem using names like Milly, Jessica, Holly, James, Sarah etc but people only seem to single Madeleine out. So are we going to stop using names that belong to murdered/kidnapped children?!

Honestly, if you like a name go for it, don't let the bad connotations top you.

manicinsomniac · 25/03/2015 00:31

I don't think McCann when I meet a Madeleine in real life. I do on MN because I already know that's what everyone is going to post.

It's a lovely name and you should use it if you like it.

I don't get this constant reference to McCann. I know lots of children called Madeleine and a few with the surname McCann (not both, though I imagine there are some). I imagine most people do. Surely people don't go around in real life thinking of Madeleine McCann every time they meet another?

I have a Jessica. Never occurred to me not to use it. I also haven't noticed any avoidance of Holly, Sarah, April or Tia (why are the only murdered children I can think of little girls??)

Vitamints · 24/03/2015 23:48

Worse is when you know which way to pronounce it but aren't sure whether to spell it Madeleine, Madelaine, Madeline, Madalyn, or something else.

courgettesoup · 24/03/2015 23:42

Proust and then a nagging anxiety about whether to pronounce in this instance as Mad-e-'lyn' or a Mad-e-'line''?

CactusAnnie · 24/03/2015 23:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AmysTiara · 24/03/2015 23:21

I thought of Madeleine McCann too sorry.

OhMjh · 24/03/2015 23:16

I'm a Madeleine, known as Maddy! Grin

mysteryfairy · 24/03/2015 23:14

I think of my DD but I know people still think McCann when they hear DD's name. My Madeleine is a similar age to Madeleine McCann. The association has died off a bit in other people's minds but still get it though I'm amazed anyone thinks it's a sensible thing to incorporate in any conversation about DD.

Another annoying things are it's constantly misspelt - even by teachers. Now DD has adopted Maddy as a nickname her name is often assumed to be Madison.

Terramirabilis · 24/03/2015 20:06

I think a child born now as she grows up won't be affected too much by the Madeleine McCann connection. Read somewhere today that it's been eight years. The case and that poor girl are going to slowly fade from the national memory. I really wouldn't worry about the connection.

ragged · 24/03/2015 19:51

"Madam", must be a right little "Madam" is what I think. Coz the words sound so similar.
It's an elegant name that I think doesn't suit a child a very well.

Viviennemary · 24/03/2015 19:44

I think it will be a very long time before people get over the McCann connection.

Koalafications · 24/03/2015 19:43

I think McCann, but I thinks thats mote because I love the name and DH won't use it because of the McCann connection.

RL20 · 24/03/2015 19:43

Mathanxiety, I've just had to scroll through the comments to see what you were replying to!
I just had to google to double check, but yes the dog was called Genevieve!

RL20 · 24/03/2015 19:39

I immediately think of a DVD that we bought for my step-daughter. She absolutely loves the film. It's from
1999 so fairly old but a great film. However I believe it's spelt 'Madeline' on the DVD.
I actually didn't automatically think of McCann, before I saw the other comments!

BunnyCake · 24/03/2015 18:32

I immediately thought McCann, but I'm not sure if it's because the name always gets linked to her on threads on this board that I thought of it. Perhaps if I wasn't a regular reader of the board I wouldn't have. There isn't much point being pissed off at people making the connection in any case. OP asked and people have responded with their honest answer.

StickIt · 24/03/2015 17:56

McCann.

happypotamus · 24/03/2015 17:46

I think lovely name that I wanted for my DD. DH thinks McCann and doesn't like Maddy, so it is DD2's middle name.

MamaLazarou · 24/03/2015 17:28

McCann

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 24/03/2015 16:39

I just think 'gorgeous name'

VT82 · 24/03/2015 16:37

French school girl from books that I've never read. Then cake. I too didn't think of McCann.

But if you have enough doubt about it to start the thread, you probably deep down don't want the name if you're being honest.

roastpots · 24/03/2015 14:39

I wouldn't let the association put you off. It's a nice name, and I like Maddie as well.

DessieLou · 24/03/2015 14:31

Oh great, now I want cake.

I think of my gorgeous girl! We get so many compliments on her name so I say go for it.

mathanxiety · 24/03/2015 13:39

I thought her dog was Genevieve Blush

SquidgyMaltLoaf · 24/03/2015 10:03

I love the name. Despite the McCann connection, which I do still think of, it would have been on our list if we didn't have a very good friend with the same name.