Esme, Esmé, Esmée?

[LizzyMargaret]

Last one from me for a while guys as I feel like I’ve posted loads this week! I’m trying to make things a bit clearer in order to reduce our list.

Which spelling would you use? I’ve read the name is much like René and Renée so the feminine spelling is Esmée. We’d want the Ehz-May/Meh pronunciation too which the é determines? Very confused by the differing opinions I’ve read in my searches hence why I’ve made my own lol. WDYT?

Thanks for all your help by the way.

Esme ...pronounced Esmeee. Beautiful name .

If you use one of the accented versions you are more likely to get the pronounciation you want, but if you are British and live in the U.K. having a name with an accent is going to be an almighty ballache. Also it looks a bit pretentious. So if that's the case I would definitely choose Esme and then just clarify pronunciation. If you're french then do what you like! (It will still be a pain if you like in the U.K. but at least people will understand)

Saw an Esmae with her name in lights at A & E once!!

I know a Esme, pronounced Ezmee, and an Ezmé pronounced Ezmay. I get confused and miss pronounce both! Lovely names, if you're relaxed about people getting the pronunciation wrong.

I prefer Esmé but I would say Esmée and Esmé the same anyway. As said above Esme is often pronounced Esmee.

Esme= Ez-mee
Esmé= Ez-may
for me. I had 3 in a couple of my classes at high school & this was how they pronounced them. I’m not keen on other spellings.

I'd pronounce all of them Es-May.

Spelling wise I'd go for Esme and keep it simple without the accent.

Esme with or without the accent. Accent is likely to be left out in the Uk.

Esmé is male
Esmée is feminine

Pronounced the same, Es mé

There is an Esmè in my family-pronounced Ez-May. Really dislike the double E for some reason, although I believe that’s the ‘correct’ feminine version? (I think) Esme I would pronounce Es-meee. I also know an Esmae but I seriously dislike this spelling too.

I don’t like the Esmae spelling either. I can see where it eliminates pronunciation issues but it doesn’t look right to me.

@Katfood That’s my understanding too. The é determines the May/Meh ending and ée is the feminine spelling so that would be the spelling for us. I’m not sure where Esme with the Ehz-Me pronunciation originates from however.

I want to spell it correctly if we use it but I’m sure if it’s going to be a hassle for her living with it. I prefer Esmée Violet as a combo but I think Violet Esmée would be easier to live with (Violet is a honour name that we’re using)

Esmée
BUT
It will get spelt Esme, Esme with the accent, Esmee without an accent, Esmay, Ezmay and Esmae.
Is will probably be said as Ezmee by mmost people.
Pretty but could be a PITA

Esme - but there's only one pronunciation used in the part of the UK that I live: Ez-mee

If you choose a different pronunciation to the one local to where you live, then you and your child will spend of lot of time correcting people.

All the girls called Esme/Esmé/Esmae that I know pronounce it ending with may. I think May (or actually more Meh) is the correct French pronunciation hence the é and Esme, ending in me must originate elsewhere.

The correct pronunciation is Es mé (between May and meh).

This name drives me crazy, it’s absoloutley everywhere and I swear I’ve never seen it spelt the same twice!
I swear in 30 years it’ll be like my mums generations ‘Sharon’ or my generations ‘Becky’ - 5 in every class only now parents are also really precious about how it’s spelt 🙈😬

@TheRightHonerable I just want to spell it correctly however precious or pretentious that is lol. I appreciate all the feedback all on it. I love it and it’s my husband’s favourite on our list so I wanted to ask. I’ll tell him it’s off the table if it’s going to be a pain for her to live with though.

I think most people in the UK will pronounce it Es-mee not matter how you spell it. So she’ll be in for a lifetime of correcting people.

Correcting people really isn’t an issue. My daughter’s BC name has two pronunciations, if someone uses the wrong one (doctors or whatever) then we correct them and move on.

I love Esme, pronounced Ez-mee and it was on my list of names. But I couldn't find anything that could definitively give me the correct spelling and pronunciation, it seemed to vary from area and country, male and female, and everyone had a different opinion, so I didn't use it. I didn't want her saddled with spelling it out and correcting people forever.

@keepingbees I agree. Even if you do use the typically correct spelling or pronunciation everyone has a different opinion so there’s going to be confusion no matter what. I don’t mind having to correct people but she might. I think we’re going to count our losses with this one. We’ll maybe still consider it for a middle name as she won’t have to correct people that often that way.

Who spelt it Esmè? That's horrendously wrong. Is esmé actually male? Like do french parents call their male children Esmé? I don't think so but I could be wrong!

Maybe you're mixing it up with Aimée? Which is the past participle of aimer (to love) so aimé means beloved (male) and aimée means beloved (female) but nobody would use Aimé for a boy!

Middle name would be best. It's a pretty name.

I've never come across the name with a double E or being used for a male (in UK) so I honestly wouldn't worry about the feminine/masculine thing assuming you like in the UK

I prefer it with a single E with or without the accent I would pronounce it Ez-may and think it's a lovely name!