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!

[SleepingStandingUp]

Just think how popular the name Jack is, despite him being a mass murderer. Victoria is beautiful, it isn't just associated with Victoria Climbie. Rose is lovely and Fred is gaining popularity. Their crimes were heinous. Not sure on the popularity of Jessica and Holly as names but I doubt anyone would cite those girls as reasons to avoid it. It's the same with Madeline.

[cookiemonster2468]

I think you are overthinking it on both counts. It's a lovely name. I met someone with this name a few months ago and I didn't think of either of those references, I actually thought of the french madeleine cookies which are delicious!

[Getyourjinglebellsinarow]

Unless your last name starts with Mc then absolutely go for it, it's a lovely name and unfortunately every name has someone who has been involved in something tragic it shouldn't stop the name being used entirely.

[Icantrememberthenameoftheartis]

Someone up thread has said it’s ok so long as you’re name isn’t McCann which reminded me I went to school in the 80’s with a Ruth Ellis (same name as last woman to be hanged in UK), also a Michael Jackson.

[dowhattyougotttado]

I have a Madeleine, nobody ever mentions Madeleine McCann and never did when we picked the name.

[Onairjunkie]

I know so many girls called Madeline/Madeleine. I didn’t ever think of McCann. If you like it, use it. It’s not that uncommon though if that’s something that bothers you.

[WhosThatBehindTheFlask]

If it helps, OP, I read the title thread and my first thought was not Madeleine McCann. I opened it assuming it was a 'there is already a Medeline in my family' type of thread.

[Dixiechickonhols]

I think some names are just so linked with certain cases that people will make name association years later. Myra springs to mind too.
I personally wouldn’t but I suspect if you do chose name it would soon become Maddie anyway so not the same connection.

[WhosThatBehindTheFlask]

I also worked with a Paul McCarthy and tbh, after the first couple of weeks never thought of the Beattle of the same name.

In fact, when I heard the name on the TV or radio my first thought was "what's PAUL doing on the telly?!?"

[Argealanlea]

I agree with others madeleine mc cann does come to my mind but I’d be hoping like every name once you know someone with it you start associating it with them. I do think the media coverage isn’t done yet either. Already though after a few days of thinking about the name with our surname the connection has lessened for me.

Re spelling this doesn’t bother me. As someone with an Irish name I’ve always had to spell it out or say now it’s pronounced. Everyday pretty much on my year abroad but it doesn’t bother me as I like my name.

Thanks to the poster who gave the Irish spelling. Also one to consider.

And the poster who said there’s a thread in baby names. I’ll check it out. Maybe it’s coming back around if more people are considering it.

[Benjispruce5]

I didn’t even connect the name to the event until I read your full post and I am well aware of the tragedy as I have a daughter the same age. Sadly lots of tragedies involving children of all names have occurred, this one was high profile.
It’s a beautiful name.

[ChampagneLassie]

A friends DD age 1 called Madeline, literally never thought of Madeline McCann till I read this. I cant swe why that would be an issue

[ILoveAllRainbowsx]

I like the name, but wouldn't like it to be shortened to Mad.

[DoraDont]

Maybe it's all the years I've spent with CBBC on in the background, but my first association is with the presenter Maddie Moate rather than a child who went missing years ago. The McCann case will have receded even further into history/memories by the time your child is school age or an adult.

It's a beautiful name, whichever spelling/pronounciation you choose. Having a slighter harder to spell name isn't this huge horror people on mn seem to think it is, and she'll undoubtedly end up as Maddy or Mads anyway.

Names always seem to take on a huge significance before a child is born, once they're here it just becomes them, iyswim?

[jpbee]

I would use it. I didn't even think of the connection until I read your post. When I saw the thread title I assumed it was going to be a name someone in your family had already used or something similar.

[FinallyHere]

My first thought was Proust , but then I'm a big fan of cakes

[FridasSpectacularEyebrows]

On the pronunciation:

Madeleine - is Mad-e-len/Mad-uh-len/Mad-a-len
Madeline - is Mad-a-lyn

She’ll get all sorts of spellings/pronunciations whichever way you spell it - go for it, it’s a fab name

I’m biased. . .

[TomBradysLeftKneecap]

I love the name but every single one I know (and I know a few) is known as Maddie/Maddy so as long as you’re ok with that, go for it.

[CowboyJo]

My eldest is called Ruby, my sister told me not to call her that because of that bloody Kaiser Cheif song, but I never even thought of that. It was a perfect name for her.

People still call their kids Thomas even though there's Thomas the Tank Engine.

I know a neighbor with a baby girl called Peppa.

If we stopped naming everyone things because of other things with the name, we'd all go round with madeup names like Zerga or Biffabob. Go for Madeline!!

[JugglingJanuary]

I wouldn't, because as soon as the name is mentioned (in whichever version) her photo comes straight to mind & that would upset me

I also wouldn't if she is a red head, to me it looks like a lack of imagination, like you saw the baby red head & names her after the character.

But if neither of those things would bother you & you both love it, then why not?

[lottiegarbanzo]

M McCann went missing in 2007. You'd have to be an adult now to have any memory of that event.

I think there was a brief hiatus in use of the name, maybe for about five years, then it came back. I've met more than one child with the name.

Maddie Moate on CBBC is a prominent, current Maddie. She's great.

[Lookforwardtosummer]

It's a beautiful name. I'd use it.

[TenoringBehind]

I wouldn’t make the connection and I live near to the McCanns. It was a long time ago and it’s a lovely name, so I think use it!

[MorningStarling]

I think the association would be worse if someone's surname was McCann, regardless of their first name.

I would make the link when someone said their name was Madeleine but wouldn't necessarily think less of the person, it's just the McCann story would spring to mind.

To be honest it's not like Madeleine McCann was guilty of anything herself. It hasn't tainted the name, in the same way that Adolf or Boris or Kier or Meghan would bring up negative connotations.

[TrufflesAndToast]

I adore the name Maddy but wouldn’t dream of using it because its association with MMC is just far too strong. It’s literally the first thing 99% of people think of when they hear the name.