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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Emily vs Emmeline

28 replies

Hermionieslocket · 11/02/2020 19:38

Which do you prefer?

I love that Austen/classic/traditional English baby name feel Eg. Pride and prejudice

I’ve contemplated the name Emma, but feel it’s too short.
I’ve always liked Emily but worry it’s so overused.
Emmeline is another name, I like the link to Pankhurst...but my worry is:
-feels trendy
-confused with Emily (as sounds so similar)
-some people may be unaware that it’s a classic name and think I’ve mashed up a name and invented Emmeline which would really annoy me.

Which name would suit my theme more?

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Whatsyourflava · 11/02/2020 19:40

I prefer Emily for all the reasons you’ve listed really

Whatsyourflava · 11/02/2020 19:40

Emmeline just a bit too frilly for me

Demigoddess90 · 11/02/2020 19:40

Emmeline
Emily is dull as paint because of chronic overuse

Kanga83 · 11/02/2020 19:44

Emma is one of my favourite names. Classic and timeless. Emily has been done to death and there will be one or two in every year group at school. Emmeline I love and you could always nn with Emma giving her a choice when older.

Ellmau · 11/02/2020 19:49

Emmeline is more unusual and the Pankhurst link is quite cool, but it strikes me as a bit more Victorian than Jane Austen. Emma is the most Austen name obviously.

bridgetreilly · 11/02/2020 19:51

Emmeline. I don't think it's that trendy or that anyone will think it's made up, nor will they confuse it with Emily. I think you are overthinking this.

Whatsyourflava · 11/02/2020 19:55

Emma is just gorgeous

Poppydaisies · 11/02/2020 20:15

Emily is so so boring due to overuse.

And like Emma

Pajamagirl · 11/02/2020 20:19

Emmeline . So pretty , and love the Pankhurst link too
Emily .. meh ( apologies to anyone called Emily )

Iwouldlikesomecake · 11/02/2020 20:32

I work with a lovely Emmeline!

MyNameHasBeenTaken · 11/02/2020 20:54

Emmeline in dd class has only ever been known as emmie.
Emmeline is a nice strong name and is starting to grow on me as I type this.
My great granny was an Emily, born in 1901! Emily grace.
I would chose Emily for my family history reasons.
I love emma. I always wanted to be called emma as a kid.

Whatsyourflava · 11/02/2020 21:00

I always wanted to be called Emma too @MyNameHasBeenTaken ! Such a classic beautiful name

CottonSock · 11/02/2020 21:01

Emily

MyNameHasBeenTaken · 11/02/2020 21:13

If I couldn't be Emma, then Deborah was my next choice.
I know Emmas of all ages. From 2 to 50s.

DramaAlpaca · 11/02/2020 23:10

I do like Emmeline, it's long but I don't think it's frilly or fussy. Emily is OK, a very gentle sounding name. Emma is my favourite name, short, neat, classic. I love it.

Heh1991 · 11/02/2020 23:43

I like all 3 but find Emma and Emily a bit overused and boring.

I’d go for Emmeline because it’s more unusual and could still be Emma/Emmy for short. The Pankhurst connection is really cool! I also wouldn’t worry that some may think it’s a made up name 1) I think it’s unlikely 2) if they do you‘ll probably never know unless they are rude and say so and 3) if they do I’d take great pleasure in correcting them. You can’t overcompensate for someone else’s potential ignorance! It’s a gorgeous name!

june2007 · 11/02/2020 23:48

Prefer Emily, but Emeline is less common if your looking for something more unique, but I always think of the AA milne poem. (Emeline has not been seen...)

Treaclepie19 · 12/02/2020 07:36

I love Emmeline

diddlediddle · 12/02/2020 07:39

Emmeline. Can always shorten to Emma. Don't think it's too trendy.

Lebkuchenlovers · 12/02/2020 07:46

I prefer Emma

Emily has become overused and dull.

Emmeline is too frilly imo

RachelEllenRE · 12/02/2020 07:48

I much, much prefer Emily and Emma.

Singingatmidnight · 12/02/2020 07:54

Emily or Emma.

Emmeline Pankhurst, while an important historical figure, is not someone I'd necessarily want to be named after. The name itself is a bit frilly too.

List of names in Jane Austen:

www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2011/10/names-from-jane-austen.html

MikeUniformMike · 12/02/2020 15:55

Emma is lovely. Emily is fine but popular. I don't like Emmeline

WestCountryLady · 12/02/2020 16:10

I love Emma, it's on our short list.
We have some friends who have an Emmie which is cute and suits her as she's very girly.
Not keen on Emmeline at all though.

newtothis20 · 12/02/2020 22:26

I love Emma! All pretty but definitely think Emma fits your brief the best, as well as being a lovely, feminine and strong name that is timeless