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!

Madeleine McCann is the first association that comes to mind, sorry.
(And I'm in Ireland too).

I love the name, but probably wouldn't use it for my own child because of these associations. It's a shame though. Such a nice name.

Whenever I hear that name Madeleine / Madeline I do think of Madeleine McCann but honestly it doesn't matter what the odd person thinks of when hearing a certain name. Once you are happy to call ypur daughter a name, thars what matters.
If you have any hesitation, then I would go with another name.

I think Madeline is fine, unless your surname is McCann. And I doubt that most people would think of the book character; and if they do, the Madeline of those books is a heroic character. I think if I was asked for associations with the name, I'd first think of the writer Madeleine L'Engle (A Wrinkle in Time) and then of Madeleine Albright, the first woman Secretary of State in America. But mostly I'd just think it's a very nice-sounding name.

I'm a Madeleine and in my 30's, I think I've had the McCann thing said to me a handful of times. And the TV show intro sang to me a few times when I was little, but it was relevant then. Go for it if you like it, and the spelling isn't really an issue, people just call me Mads or Maddie most of the time.

It's a lovely name.
Just about every name is associated with someone famous or infamous, or a serial killer, or in this case sadly, the victim of a horrific crime.
People haven't stopped calling their kids Rose because of Rose West.

If your surname was Mc something than maybe that would be too close but otherwise it's fine.

My friend has a Madelyn and I immediately think of madeleine mccann.

It’s a really popular name so no I don’t think it’s tied to Madeleine McCann particularly.

Its a pretty name for sure .However I think with the Madeline McCann case having so much coverage it would be difficult for people not to make a connection .Sounds silly after all this time I know .Just my gut feeling really

Honestly I think it’s such a common name I would use it - people use Jamie and don’t think Bulger

Madeline and Madeleine are slightly different names anyway, plus I know several Madeleine's aged from newborn to 7 and I don't think any of them have issues. It's a beautiful name, I prefer Madeline and love the book connection (though in the film version I'm pretty sure she had brown hair anyway)

It's a lovely name! My first thought was my cousin's DD has that name, and I didn't make the association with the McCann's. There must be loads of people who have chosen that name over the years.

Personally I would not, for 2 reasons, she will spend the rest of her life spelling it out to people, (I know this because my parents named me Jacqualine - and I've spent all my life with incorrect spellings) and because of the McCann connections .
It's a truly pretty name, but needs consideration.

I wouldn't make the connection and think its a lovely name. I also love the book and think a red headed girl will enjoy seeing 'herself' in a book. But I have an unusual name and always longed for representation somewhere...or at least to be able to buy a 'personalised' pencil case/headband off the shelf like all the other cool 90s kids had.

The only way the connection to the McCanns will go away is if people start using the name again, so go for it. By the time she's old enough to have heard about the connection I imagine it won't be as significant anyway

I would think of poor Madeleine Im afraid .Ben ,Holly Jessica and Sarah are in much more common usage .Madeleine stands out for me .We have had about 15 years of coverage of this poor child ,it doesnt seem to want to end any time soon sadly . I feel dreadfully sorry for her parents ,and the fact they are constantly being made out as bad parents ,for a terrible unfortunate misjudgement on their holiday so long ago.

It’s a lovely name. I know a couple of women called Maddi and nobody ever mentions McCann. Especially if you’re using a shortened version on an everyday basis nobody will notice.

It's a lovely name, and I wouldn't worry about the Madeleine McCann connection.

However, I would perhaps stay clear of lumbering your daughter with a name that she's going to have to spend the rest of her life spelling over the phone.

There is one in my DD class, I have never though of the McCann connection and I've never heard of the books your referring to.

I'm irish in ireland and there are two in my daughters class. One is madeline and the other is maddie. Never even thought about it tbh.

The case is obvs well known here too, but I always associate praia de rocha with the situation rather than the name. People will make their own associations.

It's a beautiful name. If someone associates it with a tragic case, that's their issue, not yours.

I loved Madeleine but we have a Mc surname so I just couldn't do it.

In your case I wouldn't worry about it. I've never heard of the books or the film you mention either so I doubt that will be a problem.

Go for it!

I know a young Madeleine and I can honestly say I only see her as Madeleine in her own right and don't think of any other Madeleines when I think of her or see her. It's a beautiful name, if you love it, use it.

I don't immediately associate it with McCann as I know others. I do know a Madison too, she gets Maddy. It's a variation on a theme.

I think YABU but then I have a red headed Madeline!

My DD has a Madeleine in her class(not sure on the spelling) and I’ve never made the connection with Madeleine McCann. Everyone calls her Maddie.

I wouldn’t worry if you like the name then use it.