How many Amelie’s do you know?

[miahadalittlelamb]

Hi,

Expecting dd1 in Dec!! Was keen on the name Amelie...however every time I mention it to people no one has ever heard of it?? Is it really that unknown? Worried that it’s too “weird” now.
How many Amelie’s do you know...and where are u based?

I’m pronouncing it like the “A” in Amelia and then “melly”

Ah-mel-LEE (it does sound very similar to emily but with an Ah sound instead of an Eh sound). Kind of like the difference between Emilia and Amelia...

Otherwise other option is Isla. Which do you prefer?

Thanks

[butterry]

Quite popular where I am in SW London! I know 6 aged between 3-8 years old. Most of them have French heritage.

[CruCru]

I know one Amelie (who is 11, I think).

If people mishear and then pronounce it Amelia/Emily, how much will it irritate you? It would annoy me a lot but you may be more tolerant.

It isn’t a made up name but I would class it as definitely a French name (rather than a technically French name like Chloë).

Whether Amelie or Isla is over depends on your accent. I think Isla sounds nicer in my accent but I have been to the Natural History Museum and been surrounded by Islas - this May have been a one off. Plus if you have a proper south coast / Cockney accent, it may sound a bit like Aye-LAAA.

[CruCru]

Sorry for the weird typos.

[tried20names]

Someone I worked with named their DD Amelie about 15 years ago and I've loved it since.
We had Amelie and Isla on our list for both DS's so haven't used either but I think Isla is more popular now so I'd go with Amelie

[Resu676]

I absolutely love Amelie. It’s been my favourite name for years. I’ve only ever met one but I don’t think its an uncommon name.
Isla has hit top 4 in Australia. I would go with Amelie any day.

[miahadalittlelamb]

@CruCru no i don’t think it would bother me. I love both Amelia and Emily too. However I found that the way Amelie is written down looks more aesthetically pleasing.
The way I pronounce Amelie is very similar to Emily, so it wouldn’t be an issue. But I know some people stress on the AM part making it sound quite different.

But I was just more concerned that quite a few people have never heard of the name!

[Katfood]

Amélie is a French name with the emphasis on é.

In English Emily or Amelia work so much better!

[BabbleBee]

I have 4 DDs ages between 7 and 16 and they all know loads of Amelie, Amelia and similar sounding names. Very popular.

[CarterJ32]

I don't know any Amelies and I think it's a totally beautiful name. I prefer it to Isla!

[Gazelda]

Just to mention OP, both Amelies I know also have the same middle name. Were you thinking of a middle name?

[newdeer]

I know three Amelies all at the same primary school. It's a fairly common name around here (quite wealthy commuter village.)

[Leopardprintboots]

@miahadalittlelamb it’s a gorgeous name and yes I’ve definitely heard of it but only know if one at my sons school. It’s definitely not “out there”

Love both Amelie and Isla - sorry can’t be very helpful there. I’d pick whichever you prefer if you have a preference as I don’t think you can go wrong with either. I promise an Amelie won’t get any strange looks about her name these days, it’s totally mainstream

[LoonyLunaLoo]

1 Amelie and approximately 59382737482828 Islas...

[WorriedFTM1]

I know one who is approx 1 year old now- London (SW I think).

[miahadalittlelamb]

@Gazelda

I was thinking Amelie Rose...
But I don’t think it’s very original.

I’m liking the idea of Amelie Isla or Isla Amelie if I change my mind and pick Isla..

It does seem that Isla is more popular with younger children.

I live in London and expected Amelie to be well known, but perhaps it’s only in certain circles...

[Elbeagle]

Not sure it’s to do with circles... I live in the sticks (village in the midlands) and know a few here.

[CIT80]

I know 2 Amelies and 3 Islas both lovely names

[user1493494961]

It's a lovely name, I know one aged 9.

[Petrichor11]

I know one Amelie and one Isla, both primary age

I really don’t like the name Amelie, I much prefer Amelia or Emily.

So of you two, I would say Isla.

[Poetryinaction]

A lot.
Ages 12-1.

[DramaAlpaca]

I much prefer Isla.

Amelie certainly looks pretty written down, but in my opinion only sounds nice when pronounced the French way.

[Winecheesesleep]

I know one Amelie (toddler) and no Islas. I think they're both very pretty names.

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

I teach in a primary school. We currently have no Amelies, but did have one who would now be 14 years old. She spelt and pronounced it as you would, OP, and noone struggled with reading or saying her name.

[TheVanguardSix]

I know one Amelie (11).
I also know one Amelia.
There was an Isla in nursery with DD (who is now 9). And I think a new girl, Isla has just joined her year 5 class. Clearly it was a 2010 name.
Both names were really popular around 2009-2010 but it's calmed down a bit. Both names are lovely.

[simplekindoflife]

Just in my DD's year (age 7, year 2, 60 kids) there are 3 Emilys, an Amelie, an Amelia, an Emilia and 2 Islas!

We also know a few outside of school too!