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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Madeleine - thoughts please

26 replies

restingkitty · 26/04/2011 09:10

We're expecting (B/G) twins in a few weeks and have pretty much decided on Madeleine (probably Madeleine Annabel) for the girl. I'm not absolutely in love with it (but then I'm not "in love" with any name!), but I like it, it's classic and - most importantly - it is in honour of a close family member on my husband's side.

I have noticed on a couple of threads here recently that people say "ooh, Madeleine....very popular" and being very new to all this (first children) I would appreciate a more experienced pov: is it very popular? Do you know lots of little Madeleines? I only have a few friends with babies - and the names that seem to come up a lot in conversation are Isabelle(a); Eve/Ava; Sophie(a)....

I don't mind the name being relatively popular, but I would rather she isn't one of five in her class iyswim!

Thank you!

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Cattleprod · 26/04/2011 09:14

I know a few - always shortened to Maddie.

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 26/04/2011 09:17

I used to like it, but since Madeleine McCann got taken, when I hear it, it just makes me sad :(

Malvapoeding · 26/04/2011 09:17

We know 1 who is 7 and known as Delly as she didn't want to be Maddy.

deepdarkwood · 26/04/2011 09:22

I know one Madeleine - 8 years. I'd think of it as reasonably popular rather than top 10.

Ooopsadaisy · 26/04/2011 09:25

I like it! I only know one Madi (her choice of spelling!) and she's 24.

Oh yes - I think I know one as a middle name - Laura Madeleine.

Original poster

restingkitty · 26/04/2011 09:29

Thanks for such quick responses! I don't mind Maddie...but then I'm sure she will decide what she prefers!

OP posts:

Hatterbox · 26/04/2011 09:30

In 2007, it was in the Top 100 (#84), but then in 2008 it had fallen to #152, most likely due to its association with Madeleine McCann.

However, in 2009 it had climbed up a few places to #123, but we won't know the 2010 data until October time.

I suspect it may have climbed up again, but it won't have had some dramatic leap up into the Top 10 (or even the Top 50), but there is a possiblity it could have just sneaked back into the Top 100 again last year.

Basically, what I'm trying to say, is that while it's widely used it isn't uber-popular, so you'll be safe with it.

It's a beautiful name by the way, absolutely stunning.

Original poster

restingkitty · 26/04/2011 10:57

thanks Hatterbox. Loving the stats

OP posts:

happystressedmum · 26/04/2011 11:02

Hi, I had same thoughts as you and DH loved the name (I wanted Eloise). However we now have Madeleine Eloise although most of the time we call her Maddie and we love the name and it just suits her so well. We only know of one other Maddie. In answer to your question it is not unusual but not overly popular either.

SpangledPandemonium · 26/04/2011 11:21

I don't think it's overly popular. But popular, yes, because it is beautiful

CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 26/04/2011 12:37

I also like the variation Madeline (pr. Madelyne) after the girl in Keats's poem The Eve Of St Agnes.

LadyGoneGaga · 26/04/2011 12:55

I love it. But I used it up on my cat

LouMacca · 26/04/2011 13:12

I think Madeleine is a lovely name. Again it does make me think of Madeleine McCann but as time goes on I think the association will be forgotten. I would use it.

mrsravelstein · 26/04/2011 13:16

it's a nice name. however i can tell you from 38 years of experience that she might get tired of never EVER getting it spelled right... (and endlessly being called marilyn or marianne by people on the phone who've misheard it )

MollieO · 26/04/2011 13:23

I have a name that is rarely spelled correctly. I also have a surname that no one ever gets right. You do get used to it, to the point when I'm really surprised when people do spell either or both names correctly.

Listmaker · 26/04/2011 13:25

MY dd (13) is Madeleine - always shortened to Maddie. I thought it was a classic but relatively unusual name. Then she started pre-school and there were 2 others in her class! But since then there was one other in her primary school and perhaps two others in her whole senior school (one in her set - typical!) so it hasn't been bad.

We have a variety of spellings though - Madeline, Madelaine, Maddy etc etc!

I still love the name though and am really glad chose it for her.

midnightexpress · 26/04/2011 13:33

I only know one, spelled Madeline. It's a lovely name and not overly popular. Less in fashion than Matilda or Isabella, which seem quite similar sorts of names to me. I don't think there are any at all in DS1's school.

CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 26/04/2011 15:00

Several good arguments above for using the spelling & pronunciation variation then. Madeline to rhyme with vine, wine, etc

heartsnflowers · 26/04/2011 15:04

I think there are about 4,all known as Maddie in local school--that will be out of about 120 girls so fairly popular yes

frogs · 26/04/2011 15:08

Yes, there's a pronunciation conundrum. If you choose the French spelling 'Madeleine' most people will pronounce it to rhyme with Catherine, but some people will pronounce it to rhyme with Elaine.

If you choose the English/Irish spelling 'Madeline' then some people will pronounce it to rhyme with Caroline. That seems to be the standard pronunciation in America (used in the film of the book, and I think the rhymes in the Keats poem suggest he had that pronunciation in mind too). But in Ireland and England lots of people will pronounce 'Madeline' to rhyme with Catherine.

You have to decide which will annoy you less. Tbh whatever name you choose, there'll always be people who mispronounce and mis-spell it. I don't think Madeline/Madeleine is any worse than many other names for that. It is a reasonably popular name, but not so much that there'll be half a dozen in every Reception class.

Pinkjenny · 26/04/2011 15:09

Nice, I know three, all different ages.

ClearlyNoImagination · 26/04/2011 15:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

indiechick · 26/04/2011 15:13

I have one, she's seven and I call her Mads, Maddie, Madeleine, Maddy Moo Moo, whatever comes to mind. Her preference Maddie Moo Moo.

Original poster

restingkitty · 26/04/2011 15:42

great, thanks everyone - I think we're going to go with it. Just needed a little reassurance.....

I do prefer the spelling Madeleine.

I think you're right frogs. FWIW I was Christened Kate and was the only Kate at school. There were, however, 3 Katies and a Catherine in my class alone; I got used to people getting my (very simple) name wrong!

OP posts:

IngridBergman · 26/04/2011 16:14

I know two five year old Madeleines. That's about it - both in same class.

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