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Baby names

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

Original poster

Esmee or Esmay? WWYD

60 replies

Fable · 22/01/2009 13:45

If you wanted the name pronouced Esmay would you

  1. Use Esmee
  2. Use Esmee with an accent
  3. Use Esmay
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nappyaddict · 16/03/2009 00:47

Esme with an accent. There was a little girl at the hospital with it spelt Esmae and I thought it looked horrible.

nooka · 15/03/2009 20:51

Both Esmee and Esmay look "made up" to me. I've only ever come across Esme, and only ever used for a girl, although it's like Hilary and both male/female. Clearly Esmée is as correct as Esmé but I'd just go for Esme (with or without accent). I guess I would assume the pronunciation had a strong e at the end, but it's no big deal to say "ay" at the end, and if you add the accent then that's a clue that you might want to think about how to say it. My name often gets mispronounced - it's no big deal.

LilysandEsmesmum · 15/03/2009 20:30

I have an Esme (with an accent) ~ prononunced Esmay but we decided not to spell it like that as it really looks 'made up' and I personally feels takes away the charm of the name..I see that alot of people have mentioned this is the male form but didn't know this at the time but alot of people when we were uming and aring about the spelling thought esmee was EZ~MEE and wanted to avoid that if poss!! Don't think I've had any problems and most people for example at parties if they ask what esmes name is they spell it they way we have ~without promting! ..

Original poster
Fable · 23/01/2009 12:08

There is no difinitive answer is there? Everybody has different ideas

OP posts:
annasmami · 23/01/2009 11:10

For a girl definately ESMEE, ideally with an accent.

Esmay is easier to pronounce but looks made up and Esme is a boys' name.

LuLuBai · 23/01/2009 08:35

what shoobidoo said.

I truly love Esmee. It's on my shortlist (but not DHs sadly).

I wouldn't get overfussed about accent use. Tis tricky in this country as they aren't in common usage and people will get confused about it. Difficult to find on a computer, people forget which way to point them etc.

Would strenuously avoid Esmay. Horribly made up and has a bit of a 'Chardonnay' twang to it. Sorry. Also - isn't there a cosmetic brand called something similar?

It's a well known enough name that most people should get it right and if they don't a little correction shouldn't cause offence. I have an Italian name with a 'c' pronounced 'ch' which foxes a few people, but most get it once I have explained it. DD has a Spanish name which occasionally throws people, but you just have to repeat it and most people get it.

shoobidoo · 22/01/2009 21:50

Esmée (female) and Esmé (male)

is like

Renée (female) and René (male)

So I would spell a girls' version Esmee, with or without the accent.

nowwearefour · 22/01/2009 21:10

most people use esme no accent - i know 3 under 3

hellymelly · 22/01/2009 21:09

Esme

monkeycat · 22/01/2009 21:07

DD1 is Esmé - pronounced Esmay .

The accent makes the e an ay sound ( as in café). That's how I explain it to people who mispronounce it.

As someone already said ,Esmé is the male version , Esmée the female .

A friend of ours has a french wife and she automatically spelled it Esmée .

We decided against using the double ee because we thought people would then want to pronounce the name Es- mee IYKWIM ?

We use the accent but it's not a big deal to us if people don't .

I used to get really annoyed when people got it wrong - after 4 years I'm less fussed . It is still a really great name .

cece · 22/01/2009 18:01

I have an Esme but we say it EsME not EsMAY. It really surprised me the first time someone did it as I didn't know it was possible to say it that way.

TBH we only get the ocasional person persisting with the wrong pronouciation. Most people sort it out once they hear me say it. Last year though her teacher her called her EsMAY all year (grrrrr)

I think you should spell it Esme with an accent as it is my understanding of how EsMAY is actually spelt.

Original poster
Fable · 22/01/2009 16:20

Oh now I know

Thanks for that thread, it was good to read.

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 22/01/2009 15:29

Of course, I actually meant Desree. But it's the same difference!

The one who sings about the ghost and eating toast and stuff.

Original poster
Fable · 22/01/2009 14:58

I dont know who that singer is. Thanks for linking, off to have a read

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 22/01/2009 14:47

Esme

PuppyMonkey · 22/01/2009 14:47

Esmay is just wrong...reminds me of Desnee that singer.

thread on it here if interested: here

sonniebonnie · 22/01/2009 14:42

If you use Esmay there is no doubt about the pronounciation and you wouldn't need to worry about any accents either

Original poster
Fable · 22/01/2009 14:28

Sorry puppy but I really dont like EsME. Is not being able to put the accent on passports a problem?

OP posts:
ben5 · 22/01/2009 14:06

esme lovely name

PuppyMonkey · 22/01/2009 14:06

The name Esme first got popular in Scotland.

PuppyMonkey · 22/01/2009 14:04

Use Es- meeee meeee meeee please. Es- may is horrid.

I have an Esme and if anyone dares call her Esmay I slap them really hard.

Madmentalbint · 22/01/2009 14:04

My friend's DD is Esme with an accent (pronounced Ez-May).
Darling little thing she is

MauriceDancer · 22/01/2009 14:04

esme no accent imo.

AccidentalMum · 22/01/2009 14:04

Use Esme with an accent. I would be confused by Esmee with an accent and not know which way to go .... but then, I can pronouce Renee with an accent just fine.

ThumbBurns · 22/01/2009 14:01

didn't know that about passports - I suppose that goes for Zoe and Chloe as well...

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