AIBU - using the name Madeline

[Argealanlea]

First pregnancy and DH and I so far can only decide on one name for a girl - Madeline. We love it and it goes really well with our surname.

Issues are:
Madeline McCann. Is it too associated with her to use? We actually live in Ireland not U.K. so there is maybe less of an association but could still be there? For me already saying the name in my head with our surname lessens the connection so maybe it’ll be the same for all our family and friends?

Second issue - Madeline the books/movies which feature a red head Madeline. We actually have a 50% chance of having a red head. Would this be bad then to use the name and risk teasing or am I overthinking it and kids don’t read those books anymore anyway and the movie is old!

Cant decide if we’re being unreasonable to consider it - we both really like it!

Oh I definitely wouldn't say een. Like you wouldn't think Caroleen for Caroline and good point pp re Catherine. I knew amd Adeline, pronounced leen so basically whatever you're told, you go with. OP she was Mad-eh-lyn. I personally like the Madeleine spelling and that's what I would have gone with but yes, you'll probably have misspellings.

All the ones I know are spelt Madeleine and pronounced mad-uh-Lyn. If you go for that spelling I don’t think anyone will use another pronunciation.
I’d say Mad-uh-line for Madeline, id presume you’d use the more common spelling if you wanted mad-uh-lyn
It’s only an issue with people who don’t know you- will that be annoying? Many names have got more than one acceptable pronunciation.

All the ones I know are spelt Madeleine and pronounced mad-uh-Lyn. If you go for that spelling I don’t think anyone will use another pronunciation.

I think (I know!) they will in Ireland, but just strangers, you know. May not bother you at all OP.
I love my name anyway

@HeyGirlHeyBoy
But then Josephine, Christine, Geraldine are een, Evangeline is leen.
It's all a bit random, some pronunciations have changed from the original French, some haven't and the rate of change differs depending on place. Madeline has traditionally been leen in Ireland until recently in my experience.

Just going to be honest, she will most likely go by maddie which heavily reduces the McCann connotations

@Maddiehere 🙂

I have to say I've been a Madeleine for 46 years & no-one has ever attempted to pronounce my name as Mad-a-leen, including spent time in Ireland & also with Irish people in the UK 🤔

The most common mispronunciation I get is Mad-a-lyn when it should be Mad-elaine, but I really don't mind.

@Argealanlea Good luck with your pregnancy 🙂

Really? Never ever heard Madeleen pronunciation in Ireland. Absolutely re random in terms of the rules of it. I only now realise I am one of those - ine names I think if OP says her M is Madelin pronunciation, whatever the spelling people will go with that.

Maybe it's a regional thing?

@MadeleineForThisThread
👋

The emphasis is on the Mad part if that makes a difference. The emphasis wouldn't be on the leen bit?

I think if OP says her M is Madelin pronunciation, whatever the spelling people will go with that.

Absolutely. It's only people who don't know you will say it differently, the same happens with lots of names.

@HeyGirlHeyBoy I suppose it could be that I introduce myself as Mad-elaine & people then go with that, as you say may be the case if OP gives her daughter the name & pronounces it as she wishes. People can take their cue from you.

Though there have been times when I've said: "Hello, I'm Mad-elaine" to hear straight back: "Oh hello Mad-a-lyn, nice to meet you" 🙄 😀

No one will make that connection it's not a particularly unusual name

It’s a beautiful name. A friend named her DD Madeleine a few years ago, and I did think of Madeleine McCann at first. But now it never occurs to me. Do you like the shortened Maddy? Your baby (and her peers) are unlikely to make the connection having not grown up with the case anyway. It’s so hard finding a name you BOTH love, I’d say go with it!

If you are thinking of the link, don't use it. It will always be in the back of your mind

It didn't even cross my mind.

I’ve got a Madeleine. (-leayn). She’s about the same age as the other Madeleine. She’s always been Maddie or Mads. Now living with a French family so she gets proper pronunciation.
She always loved the Madeleine book and wanted to be her. But would have preferred to be Eloise.(living in a big hotel)

I have a Madeleine (she’s 12 in a couple of weeks). I did (slightly) worry about this but in all her 12 years only one person - a slightly crazy lady in a supermarket - has ever mentioned it. It’s a lovely name - and there are plenty of Maddies (either version) out there. Go for it!

Thanks all. I feel slot better about using the name after this thread but my the pronunciation seems to be all over the place! Mad-Elaine is another one I hadn’t even heard before. Thanks everyone for saying how it’s pronounced with you. It does seem a bit of a free for all I.e. pick your spelling and how you say it and tell people which could get annoying. I have a name that people sometimes say or spell wrong and it does annoy me a bit sometimes. For example like Brianna /Brianne

OP, Mad Elaine has made me laugh.

Mad Elaine I know one of those

Honestly OP, I'm questioning myself also with all the different pronunciations on this thread but, I have never in RL heard anything other than Madelyn pronunciation, and, though I know you don't want the reminder, no one got it wrong for Madeleine McCann either, bar the Maddie nn, which she never had.

Honestly OP, I'm questioning myself also with all the different pronunciations on this thread but, I have never in RL heard anything other than Madelyn pronunciation

But you said you only knew one Irish Madeleine...it is often pronounced differently here. Honestly!

I have always adored the name Madeleine ever since I first saw Vertigo and would have cheerfully called the DC that if I'd had a girl. DH didn't like it though, and we eventually settled on a name that 3 years later would have been ...unfortunate. But had a DS anyway!

I have a 12 year old Madeleine (elayne). Never ever had anyone mentioned the Mccanns. She is generally called Maddie. I always loved it. On the upside, she has always been the only one, even in a year group of 250!

She owns her name, and no one questions it.

I like Madeline, there are two more issues that are worth considering tho

1. My middle name is MadelEINE but people still say MadeLINE. Whichever one you go for people will get it wrong.

1. You'll have to get used to Maddie.

@Argealanlea

Thanks all. Good to get a full range of comments.

Re Evelyn - I love it but DH vetoed! This has been the only name he likes so far 😂 Madison is a bit American for my tastes.

I hate to tell you this, OP, but I live in the US and there isn’t really a more all American Pie name than Madeleine, Maddie for short! Look at every HS sports team in the country and there’ll be a Maddie/Maddy on it!