Opinions on Madeline please!

[Bellyrub1980]

As the title suggests!

We will go with the above spelling (to honour family member) so not looking to spark a debate on that necessarily. But how about the 'trendiness' of it? Is it very very popular (I don't know many children so impossible for me to gauge).

Do you instantly think 'McCann'? I personally think it would be ridiculous to never call a girl Madeline ever again because of that... But we've had a few people say 'are you sure??'

Basically... Do you like it?

Top name.

It's not massively popular, although it was much more popular before 2007, after which it fell off a cliff (I remember seeing one of those baby name popularity graphs, and and it pretty much went into freefall that year). But I think that association is fading, particularly if you use the other spelling.

Also, do consider whether you are going to pronounce it like Catherine or Caroline (and remember whichever one you choose, there will be people who will pronounce it the other way). Americans will pronounce Madeline to rhyme iwht Caroline, Brits and Irish more likely to rhyme it with Catherine.

Yes we will be the UK Maddy-Lin version. Like Shin not Shine.

I've done a full 180 on this name in about 24 hours!! How is that possible?!

Nice name, I do think of McCann but I wouldn't let that stop you. Reasonably popular, I know of two, both under age 7.

Love it!

I really like it and did consider it but I immediately think McCann.

I really like, McCann doesn't bother me at all. It was #373 in the UK last year (Madeleine #167), so it's not too popular. I imagine you will meet quite a few, but not too many baby's age.
(I don't know many children either though)

I like it but do instantly think of McCann, probably because she's so often in the news and probably will be for many years.

However I'm sure that once people have had that initial thought and know your daughter they won't link them together again.

That's what I'm hoping. The people who matter to our little girl will think of her not the horrible story in the news.

Not that I want the McCann's to be forgotten. But just that I don't think a whole name should be vetoed because of it.

Love it and don't think of McCann. I think Albright . Good strong role model for girls!

Lovely name. I think of the Madeline books (pronounced -lyne in the books though).

The McCann association will fade. I know of one small child called Madeleine.

My first name in RL. I don't use it and don't like it as my name as I was called after a beloved aunt. (I was only called Madeleine for about 6 months and then my parents changed to my middle name)
And so many people make jokes about "mad Madeleine". It gets very wearing.

It would never even occur to me to make a joke about 'Mad Madeline'....! But then I (and my friends/family) tend not to make jokes about mental illness full stop. So doubt we would encounter that very often. Especially not from anyone that matters.

Pretty name.

None of those "jokes" were from family but from other people discovering my name at school, at work etc. it was especially bad when I was a kid as other hidden found it a hilarious name and invariably made the "mad" connection. Adults were mostly fine but kids can be brutal. I don't know if my aunt went through the same thing

With that spelling, I would assume a pronunciation of to rhyme with shine, like in the picture books. The books are lovely, though, so that isn't a bad thing.

I guess kids will use anything as ammunition for micky taking. If it's not that, it would be something else. (You can't have had very much else for them to take the mick out of!!)

The old Madeline in my family was madde-lyn so I'd never pronounce it any other way. But I've heard of others say 'madde-line' and 'madde-lane'.

I suppose in this case it's madde-lyn like Catherine is Cather-yn not Cather-ine

I've only it's discovered the books! And he does consistently rhyme her name with 'ine' words! Bit of a shame really... Ah well! Poetic licence!

I think many people will add a mental 'McCann' first time round but afterwards will think of your baby DD. Lovely name. She will constantly have to correct the spelling though.

All the ones I know get called Maddy which I really don't like.

thank you, bellyrub!
I do think very positively of the name in connection with my late aunt, who totally was a Madeleine. And never shortened to Maddie.

I have a Madeleine, shortened to Maddie before she had a say in the matter and Maddy when she did. No horrid nicknames from school that I know of, and no McCann references ever.

I love it, obviously, I think it's a strong elegant name. But be prepared for everyone to have a different spelling...

Lovely name. I wouldn't shorten it, but her friends might