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Baby names

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

Original poster

Madeleine

35 replies

Teakind · 13/01/2021 12:35

Can I ask what you think of the name Madeleine? I really like it but of course it makes me think of Madeleine McCann.

Is the connection too strong to use it now do you think?

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DramaAlpaca · 13/01/2021 23:09

It's a beautiful name, but McCann is my first association unfortunately.

Madeline is a good idea, though. Just that little bit different.

pjmask · 13/01/2021 22:44

Madeline would make a subtle distinction?

Alexandernevermind · 13/01/2021 22:24

I think it's a stunningly pretty name and if it wasn't for the connection it would be very popular. Parents who had children at that time would make a connection - and you might initially get some resistance from grandparents, but I think parents of babies and toddlers now wouldn't.
Completely different context, but remember mil making some odd connection with a name we were considering, but I argued that no one our age knew of this character.

DitherFlicker · 13/01/2021 22:19

I've known two, named 10-15 years ago, so after Madeleine McCann. Nobody ever mentions the connection. Both shorten to Maddie/Maddy. Lovely name for a girl or a grown-up.

OloBo · 13/01/2021 22:17

Gorgeous, gorgeous name! In terms of the McCann connection, it’s not like it’s a wildly unusual name and while I get the association immediately afterwards, I think enough time has passed that it’s not the immediate thought.

NeonSparkle · 13/01/2021 22:13

I think as long as your surname isn’t similar to McCann then it’s not a problem and useable!

spagbog5 · 13/01/2021 22:04

We have a Madeline
She's awesome and was a baby when Madeline McCann was taken and no one has ever mentioned her name in regards to what happened.

ReeseWitherfork · 13/01/2021 22:02

It’s where my brain went instantly. I’m not sure they should put you off if you like the name... trying to think how I’d react if someone introduced a Madeleine to me IRL. Not sure.

Angelmonkey · 13/01/2021 22:00

I have a Madeleine- beautiful name and no one has ever mentioned the McCann link. Have never met any other young Madeleines either, she is the only one in her school (400 children) and the only ones in her clubs

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 13/01/2021 12:58

No, I don't think it's too strong (unless your surname also begins with a M, then maybe...). There are other cultural references for Madeleine apart from the McCann case (Actress Stowe, Secretary of State Albright, the "Madeline" kids books... I personally think of the character in "North and South" so I hear the name said in Patrick Swayze's voice!).

But I think it did put a lot of parents off (there was a huge drop in popularity in the name after her tragic disappearance and it hasn't recovered yet). However Madeleine is a gorgeous name, it would be a shame for it to continue to be underused imo.

If you are still put off though, names with a similar feel to me are Josephine, Juliet, Vivienne, Lillian, Genevieve, Miranda and Mireia.