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Baby names

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Emily Rose? Is it too common?

81 replies

hcarter8 · 17/05/2025 19:26

I love Emily but because it’s such a common name I felt like I should choose a slightly more unique middle name but I can’t help but love Emily Rose, even though I know it’s a popular pairing it’s so pretty.

Thoughts?

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theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 18/05/2025 19:24

Emily has been very popular, although it seems to be more Emmeline, Emilia and Emmie right now.

If you like it I’d use it, it is a classic, but I would find an alternative to Rose, it’s become an absolute cliche of a middle name, along with May and Grace, so just sounds like blah blah filler and will date.

AnneMarieW · 18/05/2025 18:05

Tbh I think most middle names today are a bit pointless unless they are links to your family - either family or godparent names (as is tradition) or at least something interesting that your parents loved that would be too odd/unfair as a first name (birth place, fave artist etc). Personally I used middle names that were family ones.

First names are what “that sounds nice” names are for imo. But to me it’s no worse using Rose/Grace/May for a middle name then it is using the most popular first names like Olivia/Amelia/Isla etc. Most names will date people to some extent, unless you choose something that’s always been in the Top 100 (or alternatively never has been).

HugoYorway · 18/05/2025 13:53

@Calliopespa ,no, they're often there as a middle name for the sake of one.
A filler middle name cheapens the full name.

You could use a middle name for honouring a relative, or to use a name that might be a bit too much as a first name, or one you love but don't like the 'nn'.

Something like Emily Genevieve Smith or Emily Madeleine Smith sounds a lot more interesting than Emily Rose Smith or Emily May Smith.

Day to day she'll be Emily Smith regardless, but at least she wouldn't be a one of dozens of Emily Roses, Lily Roses, Freya Roses, Isla Roses etc

skinnyoptionsonly · 18/05/2025 13:47

Does it matter if it is popular - it’s not polite to say common really.

ballroomblue · 18/05/2025 13:46

It's beautiful. I did immediately think of the horror movie but really it's quite a while ago now, I don't think it matters.

MellowPinkDeer · 18/05/2025 13:37

Anything Rose is common imo. But you have what you want and don’t worry about what others think!

Senzaunadonna · 18/05/2025 13:35

I’d swap it and go with Rose Emily!

RosesAndHellebores · 18/05/2025 13:31

I think Emily Rose is just lovely. Classic and pretty. I'd have loved it.

Calliopespa · 18/05/2025 12:46

HugoYorway · 18/05/2025 12:36

I think a single syllable middle name like Rose, Grace, May, Anne, Jane, ...
are a bit naff and pointless.

But isn’t the point to just make the name sound the way you’d like it to?

I think they are great names for softening a harsher first name, like Mara Rose, or calming down a fancier more elaborate name and letting it take centre stage, like Esmeralda Jane. As opposed to, say Mara Maddox or Esmeralda Persephone.

Im not sure it needs more of a point than that does it?

I have to say I’m not a fan of Grace but that’s just a personal thing. It’s still classic and works in a similar way, hence the popularity. To me I prefer a soft “ g” as in Genevieve not hard as in Grace or Gretchen.

WhenWhere · 18/05/2025 12:46

It's lovely, go for the name you love.

I don't know the film mentioned either so wouldn't make that association.

Redflamingos · 18/05/2025 12:44

Calliopespa · 18/05/2025 12:18

To me Jane works like Rose as a middle name.

It adds a “ complexion” without detracting or fighting for attention. Many, many names sound better followed by Jane or Rose. It’s just how it is in my view 🤷🏻‍♀️

I agree. Emily Rose is the Sarah Louise of the 2000s. So overdone and unimaginative imo.

Whiteflowerscreed · 18/05/2025 12:42

HugoYorway · 18/05/2025 12:36

I think a single syllable middle name like Rose, Grace, May, Anne, Jane, ...
are a bit naff and pointless.

Completely agree

HugoYorway · 18/05/2025 12:36

I think a single syllable middle name like Rose, Grace, May, Anne, Jane, ...
are a bit naff and pointless.

Calliopespa · 18/05/2025 12:18

HugoYorway · 18/05/2025 12:02

Emily was massively popular in the 1990s/2000s.

I've known instances where there were several Lauras, Sarahs and Emmas, and they all had the middle name Jane.

To me Jane works like Rose as a middle name.

It adds a “ complexion” without detracting or fighting for attention. Many, many names sound better followed by Jane or Rose. It’s just how it is in my view 🤷🏻‍♀️

Calliopespa · 18/05/2025 12:16

Calliopespa · 18/05/2025 11:47

There are a few duplicated in my Dc classes but actually several of them aren’t particularly common names.

I have to admit there are a number of Olivers ( and a complicated system of Olly, Olli, Oliver then an Oliver T).

But I really don’t know many Emily’s - and I don’t think the middle name being common is a problem.

Sorry … no apostrophe on Emilys! A pet peeve of mine but my phone feels otherwise.

Whiteflowerscreed · 18/05/2025 12:03

I love rose as a first name. Sadly so boring as a middle name - everyone does it!

HugoYorway · 18/05/2025 12:02

Emily was massively popular in the 1990s/2000s.

I've known instances where there were several Lauras, Sarahs and Emmas, and they all had the middle name Jane.

Calliopespa · 18/05/2025 11:47

BoleynMemories13 · 18/05/2025 11:38

🙄

I am not saying it would NEVER happen, but to advise someone not to use a popular name because of risk of identity theft is ridiculous scaremongering, because the chances are still incredibly slim (do you realise how many thousands of popular combinations there are?) and it really can happen to anyone, including those with much less popular names.

As I pointed out, there are risks with unusual combinations too but we don't seem to warn people off those because it makes them easily traceable. MumsNet just seems to have this ridiculous obsession with advising people against popular names for one reason or another and it's really quiet tedious. You are not automatically condemning your child to future identity theft by using a popular name!

There are a few duplicated in my Dc classes but actually several of them aren’t particularly common names.

I have to admit there are a number of Olivers ( and a complicated system of Olly, Olli, Oliver then an Oliver T).

But I really don’t know many Emily’s - and I don’t think the middle name being common is a problem.

BoleynMemories13 · 18/05/2025 11:38

Redflamingos · 18/05/2025 08:43

Do you know how identify theft happens?
Thieves prefer the easiest methods to commit crimes, and common names such as "John Smith" or "Eric Johnson" are attractive because there are so many John Smiths and Eric Johnsons out there. For example, consider that credit reporting agencies have a difficult time keeping one John Smith's credit information and history separate from all the others. It's common for people with good credit to have their credit ratings sullied by people with the same name who don't manage their credit well.
When looking at a list of names in a phone book, online or anywhere else, he or she will definitely choose common names precisely because they're so hard to distinguish from each other. This makes it easier for the thief to commit fraud — and for longer periods of time. It also makes it devilishly difficult for victims and investigators to sort it all out. In addition, people with common names tend to have similar e-mail addresses. The more sophisticated identity thieves use software to generate common e-mail addresses for phishing scams. Thus, people with common names can have crimes committed in their names for a long time and never even know about them until they receive court papers or police arrest them.

🙄

I am not saying it would NEVER happen, but to advise someone not to use a popular name because of risk of identity theft is ridiculous scaremongering, because the chances are still incredibly slim (do you realise how many thousands of popular combinations there are?) and it really can happen to anyone, including those with much less popular names.

As I pointed out, there are risks with unusual combinations too but we don't seem to warn people off those because it makes them easily traceable. MumsNet just seems to have this ridiculous obsession with advising people against popular names for one reason or another and it's really quiet tedious. You are not automatically condemning your child to future identity theft by using a popular name!

HugoYorway · 18/05/2025 11:18

If the first name, middle name and surname are all popular, she'll be one of many Emily Rose Smith.

I don't think Emily Rose sounds that good.

@Calliopespa , duplicated full names do occur in schools. There were a few at the school I went to.
Duplicated full names also happens in workplaces.

Calliopespa · 18/05/2025 09:49

Redflamingos · 17/05/2025 21:19

Let’s hope your surname is really rare!!

Otherwise an Emily Rose will very likely be easily misidentified. That can have all sorts of consequences (mistaken identity)

I must live under a rock because I am simply not tripping over, or confusing the identity of, these multitudes of Emily Roses.

My Dc are primary aged. Is this something happening in nurseries?

I have an Emily friend my age and im thinking she might be Emily Rose; but I’m also not sure because, despite having known her since prep school, I have never actually heard her middle name used that I can think of.

HouseCaptain · 18/05/2025 09:27

Rose is rare as a first name. I absolutely love it.
how about Rose Emily or Rose Emilia?

NancySpain1 · 18/05/2025 09:26

It's very bland imo, but I actually don't know any Emily Roses AFAIK

user1492757084 · 18/05/2025 09:24

It's lovely.
Also ..
Emma Rose
Emma Rosemary
Emily Rosa
Rose Emily

MrsPlantagenet · 18/05/2025 09:01

It’s fine.

Do you even know your friend’s middle names? Just choose whatever you like, middle names are not worth stressing over.

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