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Baby names

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

Original poster

Madeleine?

33 replies

CaramelWaferAndTea · 24/01/2022 16:01

DD due soon and we keep on coming back to Madeleine. Very boring surname like Smith, DS Theodore.

The only thing is the obvious connection from the news stories. I searched it and surprised to see it’s still such a frequent news item in some papers - it isn’t in those we read. Any thoughts?

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PrimroseBed · 26/01/2022 17:23

I don't think poor MM will spring to mind for our children's generation. Just asked DD15 what the name made her think of and she answered:

  1. the cake
  2. her friend Maddie
  3. a kid called Madeleine McCain? McClean?
Marcipex · 26/01/2022 17:15

It’s a lovely name and deserves to be used more.
I don’t think we’re ever going to find out the truth of what happened to poor little MM, unless there is a deathbed confession one day.

Bluemamma · 26/01/2022 11:42

It’s a gorgeous name, it would just remind me of that Madeline unfortunately:( I wouldn’t use it but if it doesn’t bother you then totally use it, lovely name

itstrue · 25/01/2022 23:23

I have a Madeleine. She's 14 and no one ever mentions that association. It's also never shortened so you don't necessarily have to have a Maddy

EishetChayil · 25/01/2022 23:17

Aside from the obvious connotation, the "mad" sound is ugly. Maddie is a dreadful name.

nildesparandum · 25/01/2022 22:01

Madelaine is a name that must have been going the rounds a long time ago. When I was a child my grandmother had a friend called Madelaine and I also had a great aunt Madelaine but she was known as Lena.
Madelaine reminds me of those two more than Madelaine McCann.

CaffaJakes · 25/01/2022 21:54

I don't dislike my name but I've had a lot of Maddie McCann jokes and comments over the years. They do get a bit annoying. The one frequent scenario that happened repeatedly when I was younger was if I was ever on a night out and someone asked my name, drunk young boys seemed to find it hilarious to shout "WE FOUND HER!" happened too many times I literally got to the point I'd say wow I've never heard that before, you are so original and walk off. I also had one comment from my sonographer at my 20 week scan! She read my name off the screen and said "Oh such a beautiful name, I always think of that poor little girl though" I had never had a comment from a professional (or many people that weren't drunk) and was a bit stunned, my anomaly scan didn't seem like the right place to mention a highly likely dead child..

Fleur405 · 25/01/2022 21:41

I know a baby Madeleine - I think it’s a nice name and the association never occurred to me.

Bobholll · 25/01/2022 21:31

I know an Adeline - pronounced like Madeline. I’d never heard it before & I think Adeline is LOVELY! & avoids the obvious connection!

schoolsoutforever · 25/01/2022 20:23

I wouldn’t worry about the association with Madeleine McCann, as other have said, no reason not to use the name. But, the name itself does seem ultra popular for girls born around 2000 -2005, nothing wrong with that, fashions change, but I might be less inclined to use it for that reason rather than any association.

Idontlikeworms · 25/01/2022 20:17

Its a beautiful name, it doesn't have to be associated with her. It's like saying we can't use the name Jams after what happened to that little boy.

Megsh85 · 25/01/2022 20:12

I love Madeleine, beautiful name, really wanted to use it myself but DH vetoed it :( go for it!

MummyPigRules · 25/01/2022 16:50

I have a10 year oldMadeleine, never regretted the name. She goes by Maddie at school

finallychangedmyusername · 25/01/2022 16:47

Madeleine is gorgeous. It goes beautifully with Theodore too. My first connections with the name are that it's a lovely French name and then madeleine cookies. Then finally remembering that a Maddy I know is actually a Madeleine!

Flutterflybutterby · 25/01/2022 05:13

@BunnyRuddington

It's a lovely name but personally the association would put me off.
Same
Lemonweightloss · 24/01/2022 22:00

I think it's lovely. I wouldn't think of the name association.

Olga03 · 24/01/2022 21:36

I think it's a beautiful name.
It's also the name of a Swedish princess (and maybe because I'm not from the UK originally, hearing the name makes me think of her in the first place).

spagbog5 · 24/01/2022 17:50

We have a wonderful 16 year old Madeline ,so named before the sad events.
We adore her name as does she and it absolutely suits her.
She goes by Maddie too.

wizzler · 24/01/2022 17:45

I have one, born in early 2007.
Some people commented when MM disappeared but never happens now.

Unless it's a really extreme example ( Adolf?) I think once you have met someone,you associate their name with them

Interestingly, though despite it being relatively uncommon there are 3 in Dds class!

seasidegirl83 · 24/01/2022 17:27

It's certainly not too soon, what a bizarre thing to say! Disappearances and deaths sadly happen all the time, we don't stop re-using those people's names.

seasidegirl83 · 24/01/2022 17:24

I have a Madeleine who is nearly 10. I have always loved the name. If you Iove it go for it! Never had any negative comments about it from anyone, in fact people usually say what a pretty name it is.

LethargicActress · 24/01/2022 17:21

It’s a lovely name, but I can’t hear it without thinking of the Madeleine we all know. I think it’s too soon.

Original poster
CaramelWaferAndTea · 24/01/2022 17:15

@SummaLuvin that chart is brilliant, thanks!

OP posts:
Santahasjoinedww · 24/01/2022 17:11

Wouldn't put me off. That gorgeous girl needs remembering..
Tbh only names associated with 'baddies'shouldn't be used...

IglesiasPiggl · 24/01/2022 17:09

It's a lovely name. The disappearance was already 15 years ago, so her peers would be unlikely to have a strong association with the case. I would use it personally.

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