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Baby names

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

Thoughts on name Emmeline?

63 replies

LucyEleanorModeratz · 22/09/2023 12:37

Honest opinions on the name Emmeline (pronounced Emma-leen) please.

Both DH and I love it but concerned about:

  1. a lifetime of having to say ‘it’s Emmeline, not Emily’;
  2. baby (don’t actually know if it’s a girl yet) will have my surname (and DH surname as a middle name) - don’t know if the Pankhurst associations makes the whole package - including maternal surname - a bit too feminist ?! Should add am a loud and proud feminist myself.

Thanks all

OP posts:
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Watchthedoormat · 23/09/2023 19:10

I like Emmeline.
It's classic and strong.
I'd use Lena day-to-day.

RoseRows · 23/09/2023 19:09

Lovely name and Emmy is a cute nickname too. I wouldn’t worry about the surname ‘issue.’

emmelinee · 23/09/2023 19:06

I have an Emmeline. Very few people get it confused with Emily. Pretty much every single time we tell people her name they say how lovely it is. You'd be amazed how many people haven't heard of Emmeline Pankhurst so don't make the connection 🙈

We love it, it's an amazing name in my biased opinion!!

DramaAlpaca · 23/09/2023 18:50

I love it. I see it as strong and feminine, a long name that is neither fussy or frilly.

ACertainKindOfLight · 23/09/2023 18:48

I really like it, l have yet to meet an Emmerline.

arethereanyleftatall · 23/09/2023 18:46

I wish I'd chosen it in hindsight. I went for a similar, but more mainstream name. And I wish I hadn't. Go for it x

Gowlett · 23/09/2023 18:44

Sounds like something a Baby Doll would be called.

LucyEleanorModeratz · 23/09/2023 18:42

Thanks all for your input! Wasn’t expecting such a positive reception to be honest - think we may have just found our name if it’s a girl (find out when he or she is born in three weeks!)

OP posts:
theduchessofspork · 22/09/2023 19:50

I quite like it, although I prefer Emma which is more unusual these days

Emmeline is popular now, so it won’t especially get confused with Emily

I don’t think there’s such a thing as too feminist (!) but as it’s popular I don’t think it will especially be associated with the Pankhursts

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 22/09/2023 19:48

Love it!

KirstenBlest · 22/09/2023 19:47

but it's not lovely spelt like that!

SiobhanSharpe · 22/09/2023 18:17

Emmaline is lovely pronounced either way, IMO.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 22/09/2023 18:14

I think it's an awesome name!

KirstenBlest · 22/09/2023 18:13

Not keen. Emma is lovely, Emily is fine. Emmeline a bit too fussy for me.

catmom93 · 22/09/2023 15:15

I love it, and u don't think people will make the connection of mum's surname + Emmeline = rampant feminist. Although it's a cool connection 😁

Brandyb · 22/09/2023 15:13

Lovely in itself and as a nod to Pankhurst, and I think Emmy is lovely as a contraction too

StillWantingADog · 22/09/2023 15:12

I love it and there is good nn potential with Emme or Emmy

PickledScrump · 22/09/2023 15:10

Not a fan personally, and I’d pronounce it “line” not “leen”

curaçao · 22/09/2023 15:03

Nice name- old fashioned.

Anoisagusaris · 22/09/2023 15:01

I’ve loved it since meeting a stunning English girl called Emmeline in my Irish university. I would have called DD it only my sister had an Emily already.

SallyWD · 22/09/2023 14:59

It's one of my top 3 girls names! It's beautiful - elegant, strong, feminine. I quite like Emmie too as a nn. I don't think they'll always be saying "it's Emmeline not Emily" because the endings sound quite different. They'll just emphasise the "line" part when they fussy meet people.

VeryQuaintIrene · 22/09/2023 14:54

I have a charming cat called Emmeline, so I say absolutely!

peaceinourtime · 22/09/2023 14:53

It’s nice, she will probably wind up being called Emmie, so prepare yourself. A plus for using your last name for your child.

BelindaBears · 22/09/2023 14:38

I like it. I know one so may be biased! She goes by Emme (Emmy) 90% of the time though.

Graciebobcat · 22/09/2023 14:38

I like it and it could be abbreviated easily too.

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