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Baby names

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Original poster

Madeleine - too negatively associated with MMcann?

58 replies

Summerloving17 · 12/07/2019 10:06

So I’m still here changing my mind about my little girls name 🤦‍♀️ and since watching Big little lies I’ve started to like Madeleine nn Maddie. My dh still feels it’s strongly associated with negativity due to the Mc Cann incident.

Would love to get all your views! Thankyou xx

OP posts:
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Normandy144 · 12/07/2019 22:27

It won't be associated in your daughter's generation and to be honest so what if it is? Yes absolutely it is devastatingly sad that a young child went missing, but the girl herself was lovely so why should the name have negative connotations? What happened to her was terrible, but she herself was a normal child. Go ahead and use it.

PinkieTuscadero · 12/07/2019 22:20

I know a few Madeleines and the name never makes me think of Madeleine McCann.

crankyassnoperope · 12/07/2019 21:53

Unless your surname's "McDann" or something similar I think it's okay.

Tootired1 · 12/07/2019 21:43

If you like the name Maddie you could have Maddie as a nn for Maddison

Oly4 · 12/07/2019 21:37

It’s a beautiful name and that case won’t be an issue in your daughter’s lifetime

happypotamus · 12/07/2019 21:34

DH thought so, and that is one of the reasons why DD2 isn't called Madeleine. I don't like Maddy, and that is another reason. I have met other young children called Madeleine and not thought of the McCanns, and I agree with PP that our DDs' peers will probably not know of Madeleine McCann. I still really liked the name, so it is DD2's middle name.

TwistyTop · 12/07/2019 13:31

I don't think younger generations have that strong association with Madeleine McCann. I'm sure that with her generation it will be much less relevant.

If you like the name then go for it

Pinktinker · 12/07/2019 13:25

There are plenty of other murdered or missing children whose names are so common, people definitely don’t avoid them. Millie, Ben, Holly and Jessica to name but a few.

I don’t think people would automatically make the association.

spaniorita · 12/07/2019 12:56

For me the first thing I think of is "find maddie" but then Madeleine McCann is that only Madeleine I know so I have no other point of reference. For you and your family and friends your DD will be / become a far more relevant point of reference than MM, and for everyone whom finds MM a more relevant reference than your DD, do you really care what they think? It's a lovely name, absolutely go for it!

IntoValhalla · 12/07/2019 12:51

I love the name Madeleine - pronounced Madda-Lynn rather than Madda-Line.
But sorry to say I wouldn’t use it because the first thing that pops into my head is McCann Sad

joystir59 · 12/07/2019 12:46

It's a lovely name,and time it was reclaimed I would suggest.

Clayplease · 12/07/2019 12:45

I think it's such a lovely name.

BlueMerchant · 12/07/2019 12:38

Ten years ago I'd have e said you can't use it. Sadly, now I'd say go for it. As the years pass we are hearing less and less of the McCann's.
Nikhedonia makes a great point.

bridgetreilly · 12/07/2019 12:32

I mean, maybe avoid it if your surname is McGann or McCain or something, but otherwise it's really not a problem.

bridgetreilly · 12/07/2019 12:31

I think it's lovely and perfectly fine to use.

Nikhedonia · 12/07/2019 12:12

Do people avoid;

Ben
James
Jessica
Holly
Sarah

Not entirely sure why Madeleine is always a 'no go' name because of the McCann connotation.

It's a lovely name, OP.

daisypond · 12/07/2019 11:16

It’s a lovely name and I don’t think of the McCanns. The French schoolgirl books are Madeline, which is pronounced very differently.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 12/07/2019 11:15

It's not like you're thinking of calling her Madonna or Beyoncé is it 🤷🏻‍♀️

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 12/07/2019 11:14

It won't be associated with McCaan in your daughters lifetime. Don't worry about it op. It's a lovely name,

PrettyBelle · 12/07/2019 11:11

I wouldn't use it, for this reason.

tisonlymeagain · 12/07/2019 11:05

I had this exact thought yesterday. It's a pretty name but I wouldn't consider using it, which even I think is a bit weird because if her name had been Lucy or something a little more generic I wouldn't have the same connotations.

Troels · 12/07/2019 11:00

Lovely name and I don't only associate it with McCann family.
I immediatly think of

jwh1984 · 12/07/2019 10:34

I've asked exactly this question in my thread below 'similar girls names'. I think some people will make the association but it sounds like the majority would not. I think we're going to go with Madeleine for our little girl! :)

Gummibeary · 12/07/2019 10:25

I understand your dh's views and I also think of the sad Madeleine McCann case. Personally I wouldn't use it.

Didiusfalco · 12/07/2019 10:20

It’s a lovely name, but I would feel like your dh. Given that he does feel that way, it’s just not worth it when there are so many other lovely names.