Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
freelions · 24/01/2022 17:08

I like the name and agree with @toastofthetown regarding the association with MM

Most people in the UK probably know at least one Madeline or Maddy so MM would not be their immediate association with the name

Fl0w3ry · 24/01/2022 17:05

I like the name a lot. I wouldn’t overly dwell on the name association. You could name your child anything and then in the future it could be a name linked to something high profile.

averythinline · 24/01/2022 17:04

Lovely name and goes very well with Theodore...
Other options that I think are in same style...
Meredith,
Clementine
Florence
Elizabeth
Katherine
Constance

Snowiscold · 24/01/2022 17:02

I like it a lot. I would use it. It’s a classic name.

Sleepyquest · 24/01/2022 16:55

I was just saying to DH last night that it's such a beautiful name but I'd never use it because you just think of her whenever you hear it unfortunately Sad

SummaLuvin · 24/01/2022 16:50

The association wouldn't put me off if I loved the name. There have been enough Madeleine's that I don't think it is completely ubiquitous with that story, compared to an unusual name like Ghislaine which will have a very tough time making a come back, especially given she is the 'villain' in that story.

However, it has put people off if you look at this chart the 3 versions of Madeleine took a dive at 2008 and remained steady since, though haven't completely dropped from use - at least 100 babies each year and many years over 300 babies for the most popular spelling alone. Only you can decide if the potential association is too much for you. names.darkgreener.com/#made

toastofthetown · 24/01/2022 16:45

I really like Madeleine. The association wouldn’t put me off as Madeleine is well used enough for it not overtake the name. It’s still in moderate use as a baby name - though it hasn’t recovered from its plummet in 2008. I’d be sure you’re ok with the diminutive Maddy though.

BunnyRuddington · 24/01/2022 16:19

It's a lovely name but personally the association would put me off.