Ruby or Madeleine - lost in the pros & cons!

[hawaiibaby]

They are very different from each other I know.

Have had my heart set on Madeleine nn Maddy for a few months, DH really likes and I thought we had it sewn up but the last month he's had doubts; thinks he'd never actually use Madeleine and that it's a bit fussy, long and hard to spell and she'd be forever spelling it for people. He has a point as I have a shorter French name but I almost always have to spell it and when growing up, I just wanted a 'normal' name - however mine is more unusual than Madeleine - I think everyone knows it and how to pronounce it?

He threw in Ruby last week when we were looking online and we both love it. It is obviously the easier of the two to know and spell, we like all the song associations and that it means precious stone

Still have 8 weeks to go but am worried about making the wrong decision, and whether I am holding on to Madeleine because I imagined using it for quite a while, or if I'll regret it if we don't use such a beautiful name. I obviously want DH to love it too though, it is his child and all that! (But I think he could probably be persuaded!) We used 'my' favourite for DS so that is somewhere in my mind too, not that DH has said that and I know it's more important we choose the right name rather than picking one each or anything like that.

Which do you prefer and any particular reason?
TIA

Madeleine is the most popular and pronounced slightly differently to the others. That's interesting Beauty I didn't know they were pronounced differently - how would you say the others out of interest?

Thanks everyone. Nearly all of you are confirming my fears that I will regret not using it (if DH were to agree). I do love it so! I'm not too bothered about Ruby being popular, I actively disliked having an unusual name growing up, though that said I do like that Madeleine is known, while unlikely to be one of several in school, but name popularity isn't a deal breaker for me.

I do agree to the pp who said they can't see Ruby as a woman's name - we were having the, 'does Ruby sound like a teacher / nurse etc.' conversation as well and agreed Madeleine can be a baby, little girl, woman, crime fighter or doctor

I think the association with Maddy McCann is because it isn't heard too often, so though I take the point, it has been a long time, and I don't think anyone would consider Holly or Jessica for example as being associated with sadness because the names are more popular. We are fine with it anyway though I guess it might cross people's minds, but as a pp said she isn't a mass murderer.

I have been quite put off Ruby by this thread now! Will have to work on DH or end up back at the drawing board (and we were really struggling before these two!) I used to think girls names were easier but I can't believe how tricky we are finding this.

NapoleonsNose That's a coincidence! Nice that it is a family name too, the two do sound lovely together.

Mad-a-lin
or
Mad-a-line

are two possible pronunciations. I prefer Madeliene to Ruby too.

Mad-a-len is another pronunciation as well.

I prefer Madeleine. It's one of my DDs middle names :)

Oh blimey I better not tell DH there are alternate ways of pronouncing - that will finish him off completely!

I had only ever heard Mad-a-lin over here, and read on namberry that Madeline was just a different spelling, but pronounced the same.

Ruby wins for me! I really dislike the nn Maddie.

Madeleine definitely. Much lovelier.

Ruby but only because I associate Madaleine with sadness and loss too.

...anf I can't spell Madeleine!

Flip a coin, and as it is coming down you'll know which one you'd like it to be.

Personally I like Ruby of those two, because spelling Madeleine would do my head in (as someone who has an usual name myself).