Esme- faddy/twilight?!

[JuniorMint]

DH's favourite name is Esme. He's liked it for ages, even before I was pregnant. I really liked it too and we were pretty set on it, but over the last year or so I've noticed it's become quite popular, obviously because it is a gorgeous name but I think it also has an association with a baby in Twilight?! Someone at work recently commented a friend of theirs had announced their baby name as Esme and others commented "oh there's loads of them around at the moment" and "oh yes, like from twilight?". This has sort of given the name a bit of an association for me and I've gone off it, although the rational side of me knows it won't matter in 5+ years, it's still affected how I feel about the name! My current favourite is Erin (which DH does like too). However, DH has mentioned today that he still really likes Esme and its his favourite. What to do?! Any enlightening thoughts?

[LaydeeC]

I have a teenage Esme (Esmeee!!!!). We don't know any others and live in a very trendy area of London where it is likely to be used.
Yes, I think it is more popular at moment (I think last year it was around number 100 in ONS chart and has moved up this year).
I don't know anyone who has ever associated my dtr's name with Twilight. Better still, my dtr loves her name.

[ShadowFall]

My first thought with Esme is Granny Weatherwax from Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels.

I've read Twilight, but the Esme in that is a relatively minor character IIRC. The main female character is called Bella. Probably the Twilight connection won't occur to people at all in a few years time now that they've finished making the films.

[JuniorMint]

I like it from the JD Salinger short story From Esme With Love and Squalor . I do still prefer Erin though, I am a primary teacher and don't know any. Lucy is also edging forwards, as is Rosa...

[sonlypuppyfat]

I always thought Esme was an Old Testament name.

[Mim78]

Sorry - I good thing!

[Mim78]

I was going to say it would make me think of Terry Pratchett instead of Twilight. Which to me is a good think. But I have never seen or read Twilight.

How many adults would be familiar with Twilight though?

After calling my dd Gabriella, I was later told by a small child that it is a name in High School Musical, which I've also never seen. It's only ever been mentioned by a child, and then in an excited way. Now HSM appears to be less popular I probably won't hear that again. So the same will probably happen with Twilight - people will forget about it in a couple of years.

[squoosh]

It's definitely quite popular these days, I haven't read Twilight though so was unaware of that connection.

It's a nice enough name if pronounced Es-may, I really dislike es-mee, sounds so feeble.

[TallulahBetty]

It's a real potayto/potahto name

[Writerwannabe83]

My cousin is an Es-mee (we are British) and she is 11 years old.

I think it's a lovely name. I really don't like the Es-may pronounciation.

[TallulahBetty]

I am in the UK and would pronounce it Es-May. Es-Mee sounds wrong to me

[GrandstandingBlueTit]

It's not the Twilight connection that would put me off - more the risk of people pronouncing it Es-mee.

Having said that, it really only seems to be in the UK where people pronounce it like that...

[Weekipper]

Mine is called after Mistress Weatherwax! We are both Pratchett fans. She is a strong role model.

[HerrenaHarridan]

I would also assume she was named for the utterly brilliant esmerelda weatherwax from terry pratchetts disc world.

Seriously considered calling my dd this

[YoMamma]

Esme is a lovely name but it is quite popular. Esme is a character in Twilight as well as Renesme. They also pronounce it Es-may in the films which isn't particularly nice imo - bloody Americans!

I much prefer Erin but it's also quite popular (number 36 last year) if that bothers you?

[dimdommilpot]

I have an esme. She will be 3 at the end of the month. I choose the name 15 yr ago and had never seen the Twilight films. It does seem to be rising in popularity but ive never had a twilight comment and really dont care as i love the name.

[TallulahBetty]

Just remember that for however many people that have watched/read Twilight, there's just as many that haven't. I haven't done either and have no idea about the connection. It's a very popular name round where I live but it is nice. If you like it, go for it. Just act when they ask if it's from Twilight.

[itsnothingoriginal]

Esme is lovely. I wouldn't say faddy but is definitely much more popular in the last few years. We have several Esme' s in reception and Y1 but depends if that would worry you? It's a pretty name (I like it more as Es-mee but I know that's another debate in itself!).

I have no idea about the Twilight connection as have never watched it but maybe I'm in the minority there

Erin also popular in these parts - often hyphenated with May/Mae I've noticed!

[elcranko]

When I've met little Esmes before I haven't immediately thought of Twilight. I've just thought it was a nice name. If anyone asks you if Twilight inspired her name just say 'no?' with a blank stare

Erin is gorgeous too!

[Timeforabiscuit]

If there is a line to cross, you can guarantee someone in the world will cross it

[JuniorMint]

Timeforabiscuit Do you think there are some little Renesmes out there?

[Hassled]

I know nothing at all about Twilight, but I do know a lot of small Esmes. It doesn't mean it isn't a lovely name though - if you like it, use it.

[FiveExclamations]

Love the name, I would assume it is the short version of Esmeralda.

I wouldn't have thought of the Twilight books, but I might wonder if one of you was a Terry Pratchett fan.

[LordEmsworth]

You could always tell them its from the Saki short story, to be a bit more highbrow...

Esme by Saki

[Timeforabiscuit]

I think Esme stands away from the twilight books and is an absolutely beautiful name.

Renesme might raise a few eyebrows