How popular is the name Amelie?

[winkle2]

I really like it.

very popular. not to my preference.

I think it's a lovely name and was on my shortlist, but didn't choose it just because there are so many amelies these days, and amelias.

Very popular, know loads but don't like it at all, too wishy washy. Amelia is far better, the 'ia' makes it a stronger name.

It's popular but pretty, I have heard Amelia a lot more. Just because its popular doesn't effect how nice the name is. I picked the most popular name for dd2, she is now almost 3 and she has never met another one in her playgroup, Jo Jingles etc. I would be wary of disregarding a name I really liked just because I felt it was too popular, in case I regretted it a few years later, mind you I might be a bit chavvy

I think that it´s a lovely name.
Amelia always sounds old fashioned & frumpy to me.

It is rubbish to say it is similar to Amelia therefore it is fine. You may as well say it is fine to call your son Guillaume instead of William or your daughter Victoire instead of Victoria.

It is pretentious and silly if you have no connection to France and no French blood.

It is even worse if you only discovered the name after watching a film.

PMSL at 'It is even worse if you only discovered the name after watching a film'...so 'discovering' a name in a playground or 40,000 best baby names book is ok then?

Good daisystone finally someone who agrees with me . Of course you can pick names from other cultures if you like but I reserve the right to think it sounds abit peculiar to pick a French version of a perfectly decent name when neither of you are French or have any connection to France.

I always think of the macanns little girl.

I agree with daisystone and KERALA1, it should be for people with French connections, sorry!

I know an Amelie, and also an Amelia, i think it's quite common now.

But I think that Amelie has become an accepted name now in it´s own right & I wonder how many people really see it as a version of Amelia for example, and therefore not to be used as the English version is good enough.

It's very similar to Emily, which was the #1 name for a while. So something that is basically the same as the #1 is not unusual. It's pretty but there are a fair few Emilias/Emilys/Amelies

mimimomma - where did I say that I use a baby book or copy playground names? I didn't did I?

I know 7 who are Amelia/Amelie/Milly short for one or the other. I think it will date very quickly.

Also, can I point out that this is the baby names thread and people are asking for opinions on names. If you are going to get offended because someone doesn't like a name or thinks it is pretentious you are probably best not looking in this section.

DaisyS the OP was asking how popular it was not for a full blown critique of the rights and wherefores.

I happen to have a French DH but I wouldnt find it remotely odd for a British through-and-through couple to use a name with a french connection/origin, I think we're (should be) a bit more cosmopoliton to care. We are that close to France in any case the ties are there its not like taking a swahili name or something, and even then who cares? Obviously the mumsnet name police.

daisystone - I merely think it's amusing that you believe it's 'pretentious and silly' to discover a name through a film...am wondering if this extends to literature? (And therefore was just interested where you think it's ok to discover a name i.e playground/name book, as I don't really think it matters where people find inspiration). And also...am not offended by others opinions I love my dd's name and that's all that matters! :o

amelie is so pretty, and i don't think it matters how popular a name is just so long as you and are partner are ecstatically happy with your choice.

It is your choice at the end of the day!

I think you know that most Amelie's running around were named after a certain film and there was a wave of Amelie's all at one time.

With regards to naming after literature, no I don't think there is anything wrong with that and there doesn't seem to be a wave of certain literary names (unless you read Harry Potter and then perhaps the same applies to Herminone). However, film is medium for the masses and people do tend to pick up on things all at once and I don't think that is the same at all as literary inspiration. If you named your Amelie after reading 'The Wide Sargasso Sea' you might be a different kettle of fish.

I didn't even think of the film, I always think of the Mcanns too as one of their twins is called Amelie. I love it, but prefer Amelia btw.

It seems to be quite popular, though I only directly know one; I avoided saying her name for months as I was sure I had misheard, and wasn't sure if she was an Emily or and Amelia.

I know 4 Amelies
8 Amelia/Millies
and
11 Emilys

I know four under the age of 1.

However there is always someone else who has the same name as you, it doesn't matter at all! I have a very uncommon name - and yet on facebook, found someone with the exact same first and last name. If you like a name go for it, IMO. Someone will always like it; someone will always hate it. I say pick what you like and if it's not someone's cup of tea then they don't have to name their child or cat or dog or whatever that name!

Rant over, I'll be quiet now

My DD's middle name is Amélie, she is 5 ,and yes it is after hte film

the reason it is not her first name is two fold. we have an unusual accented surname that people constantly get wrong and did not want her to have the same issue with her first name

and people we mentioned it to said, 'ooh emily, that's a nice name!'

i don't know any Amélies, i know one or two milly's and one amelia

I love this name but also don't want a name that is too popular for dc no 2. I also have a friend called Amelia but she absolutely hates it and everyone calls her Mimi, without exception!