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Baby names

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

Original poster

Magdalene?

26 replies

CruCru · 01/02/2013 21:19

What do you think? Magda for short.

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Annunziata · 01/02/2013 21:22

I think I prefer Madgalena. It's verrrrry Catholic though.

thewhistler · 01/02/2013 21:24

How are you going to pronounce it?.

mamalovesmojitos · 01/02/2013 21:25

Uncomfortable connotations in Ireland.

Original poster
CruCru · 01/02/2013 21:26

Mamaloves - why?

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 01/02/2013 21:26

I know a Magdalene. It is pronounced Magdalaina.

yousankmybattleship · 01/02/2013 21:27

No. Just no. Sorry.

MerylStrop · 01/02/2013 21:29

just magda is ok

magdalene homes were basically workhouse/hostel/prisons for unmarried mothers, named after mary magdalene.

mamalovesmojitos · 01/02/2013 21:29

They were institutions for women who were considered 'fallen', such as unmarried mothers. The women forced to stay there were treated very badly. article

Thewhingingdefective · 01/02/2013 21:30

I had a Polish friend (exchange student - catholic schools) called Magda. I like it.

armagh · 01/02/2013 21:31

Magdalene laundries in Ireland. Awful institutions where women who were pregnant out of wedlock were incarcerated and their babies taken from them.

Original poster
CruCru · 01/02/2013 21:32

Ah good to know. Thanks.

OP posts:
mamalovesmojitos · 01/02/2013 21:35

Sorry Sad

FastidiaBlueberry · 01/02/2013 21:40

Lovely name

Original poster
CruCru · 01/02/2013 21:43

Never mind. What do you think of Helena (pronounced Helayna)?

OP posts:
Annunziata · 01/02/2013 21:53

Helena is beautiful!

Rhubarbgarden · 01/02/2013 22:41

How about Margot, if you like Magda? Helena is lovely though I prefer the pronunciation Helen-a.

MrsMushroom · 01/02/2013 22:52

I think Helena is lovely but you'll be up for a lifetime of corrections...lots of people won't say "Helayna" but Helen-a"

SoggySummer · 02/02/2013 00:22

Prefer Helena and I dont think many would pronounce it HelAYna in the 1st instance with the Helena spelling.

mathanxiety · 02/02/2013 06:02

Helena is beautiful no matter how you pronounce it. There were two in my school; one Helen-a and one HelEEna (very Irish pronunciation)

(There were Magdalene laundries outside of Ireland too)

yousankmybattleship · 02/02/2013 06:28

I agree Helena is beautiful.

MidnightMasquerader · 02/02/2013 07:46

It's the second time I've suggested this name on a baby name's thread tonight but - Elena, which can be pronounced all the same ways Helena can.

Which, by the way, is a beautiful name pronounced the way you like it. Wink

Original poster
CruCru · 02/02/2013 17:32

I love Elena.

OP posts:
selsigfach · 02/02/2013 18:53

Mary Magdalene the prostitute - not the best best association to have to your daughter's name! And of course the laundries/slave prisons were horrific.

Helena's lovely, how about Eleanor?

birdofthenorth · 02/02/2013 22:04

Love Magda. If if was me I's just opt for that.

armagh · 06/02/2013 07:40

The Magdalene Laundries story is in the news at the moment because of a report about them which has just been produced.