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Baby names

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

Original poster

Parents of an Amelie...

41 replies

Milasmummy · 03/01/2019 07:39

My sister is pregnant and wants some opinions.
Since she was younger she has always always loved the name Emily. But a very close family member has recently named their daughter Emily and it’s out of the question.
Her next best option is Amelie. After scouring the internet it doesn’t seem to fall in favour of mumsnetters. Apparently it’s “downmarket” etc. Why is that?
Forgetting about popularity (as Emily is more popular!), she has no problem with the name being popular. But it’s been called a name fad etc...
However it’s been around for around 20 years now, so though it sprang up from “no where” has it not established itself into society now? Just like the name “Mia” or perhaps “Isla”. And additionally it has a long European history.
Or is Amelie the new “mckenzie” or “Jayden”, names that are fast risers but fall quickly.
Is Amelie chavvy??
Someone told us to check telegraph baby names, and there seems to be 1 or 2 born last year, and a couple of siblings called Amelie. Though the name appears to be quite popular with telegraphers 2 or 3 years ago.
So what are the issues with this name?

She understands that it might be mispronounced as Emily...but I think she secretly doesn’t mind at all-quite happy about it!)

Please no suggestions of Emilia/Amelia as she also can’t use these names.

Thanks Smile

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pfwow · 03/01/2019 09:17

It DIDN'T spring from nowhere though did it? It came from a French film that absolutely everybody seemed to have watched 20 years ago. I think there is always going to be a degree of snobbishness around names that people know only through TV series and films, but as you say it is a classic European name. Personally I think it sounds quite ugly when people say it with a British accent.
Also, if she can't user Amelia, she can't really use Amelie, they are basically the same name.

beanaseireann · 03/01/2019 09:15

It got popular because of the film Amelie.
If your friend likes it she should go for it.
Elodie is similar sounding.

lazymare · 03/01/2019 09:15

It's a beautiful name.

Astronica · 03/01/2019 09:13

Not a parent of an Amelie, but just to say I think it's a lovely name. It didn't come from nowhere though, as its rise in popularity was linked with the very well-known film of the same name.

MissWimpyDimple · 03/01/2019 09:12

I'm not keen. For me it goes in the same camp as "Fleur". Bit flouncy and weak.

Amelia is nicer.

I don't see Amelie as remotely a compromise for Emily either. They seem completely different to me

Miffymeow · 03/01/2019 08:59

Also I forgot to say, the other part of it is people are probably going to write her name down wrong as Emily all her life if she tells them her name and sounds british (call centres, registers, at work etc.)

That is the only down side I can think of.

Miffymeow · 03/01/2019 08:56

Amelie is a lovely name, but she should be prepared for it being shortened to Amy I suspect. I can't see it being a fad name or chavy etc, I think it sounds more french, like the film Amelie.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 03/01/2019 08:51

We have an Amelie although she goes by Mila.

Never had any issues with it, she’s the only one I’ve ever met.

Don’t listen to people on mumsnet about names, the general opinions on here are ridiculous.

Juliet89 · 03/01/2019 08:48

I think it’s lovely and not too common at all. Perhaps the “faddy” comments come from the combined popularity of Amelia, Emily and to a lesser extent Amelie over the past decade or two. It makes me think of the quirky French film and I much prefer it to Emily or Amelia.

MarilynSlumroe · 03/01/2019 08:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Veterinari · 03/01/2019 08:44

Amélie derives from the German name Amalia and has been around for a centuries - it didn’t ‘Spring from nowhere’ 20 years ago, it just increased in popularity Confused
names.darkgreener.com/#amelie

It’s a pretty, classic name, not faddy.

howtobehuman · 03/01/2019 08:29

I know a lovely little girl called Amelie & I'm in a posh area so wouldn't consider it downmarket!

ErictheGuineaPig · 03/01/2019 07:44

Stop over thinking it. There are no issues with the name Amelie - there is no name on the planet that hasn't been ripped apart by a mumsnetter. It's a pretty name and entirely inoffensive, she should just use it if she likes it.

Sallygoroundthemoon · 03/01/2019 07:42

Nothing wrong with it. It's a lovely name.

ChubRubTheStruggleIsReal · 03/01/2019 07:42

I think it’s pretty.

MummaGiles · 03/01/2019 07:41

She can use whatever name she likes.

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