Madison

[summersun7]

Putting it out there to the people of mumsnet...... What do you think ot Madison?

Madison is linked to Maud, which is the pet name of Matilda. A favourite name which I now don't feel I can use (Isn't worth using same name and risking losing a very good friendship over). I came across this in a quest to find a name I love as much as Matilda.

Thank you.

I would never have linked Madison and Matilda. I like both names.

If it's a good friend, could you say you wanted to use Madison as a nod to the friendship? Tenuous I know, but could work!!

Martha?

I have known a few Madison,s. I used to hate it but it has grown on me. (maybe due to the girls I knew.) Madi is often used for short. Unfortenately I do also think of Splash or Madison square gardens.

Madison was our 1st choice before we even knew the sex of DD, last second though Miley was brought into the running and it suited her better but would definitely be on the list if we have dc3

I don't like it. Possibly because it's a surname, possibly because it's weird to give a girl a name ending in -son.

What about Madeleine? I've thought of Maudie and Madge but I don't like either of those much.

Eleanor
Adelaide
Isabel
Edith
Hilary
Beatrice
Clemency
Irene

It's 'linked to Maud' in that it means 'son of Maud'.

It's the surname of a USA president, and the name a very famous avenue - the centre of the New York advertising industry. SFAK, it has only been used as a female name since the fairly late 20th cent.

Don't wish to be impolite. Your choice, obviously. I prefer Maud.

Chevy and common round here.

Arriving at Madison because of those (rather tenuous) links to Matilda strikes me as a tad forced and convoluted; they certainly don't sound similar, or have similar vibes (just my opinion).

Matilda is rather vintage, very global, consonant-heavy and feisty in sound. Madison feels quite American, rather dated (was popular in the 90's and early 00's), and more masculine / surname-y. They may share an initial and etymology but that's where the similarity ends.

If you're unwilling to risk a friendship to go with your favourite name, I'd focus on finding something else that gives you the same feeling as Matilda. What about:

Maude (it's lovely!)
Romilly
Adelaide
Beatrice
Jemima
Martha
Cordelia
Clementine

I prefer Madeleine. Madison is too masculine for me.

I always think I shouldn’t like it, but if I’m really honest, I do. But don’t listen to me - I also secretly like Bambi, Misty Cassidy etc...

Madison seems dated. Wasn't it Moonlighting that made it popular here - very much a 1980s show?

I’ve always liked the name. I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed if it were my name anyway..

Mathilda and Maud are lovely. Madison is ghastly Essex via 90s Michigan.

I don’t think Madison is any replacement for classic Matilda.

Horrible name.

"-son" names are awful on girls.

I think it's horrible and definitely not in the same league as Matilda.

Sorry OP, strongly dislike it and really really dislike the inevitable ‘Maddie’

Madison is very American and quite dated now. It's nothing at all like Matilda.

Madeleine is better.

Matilda is lovely, Madison isn't.

I understand it's frustrating to have a name you love and can't use, I've felt the same (and came to realize nothing could replace the real deal, so I picked something else instead).

Anyway, according to the baby name website I looked at :

The name Matilda is used to a great extent; it has 51 derivatives that are used in English and other languages. English derivatives of Matilda include Mahault, Maiti, Maitilda, Maitilde, Maltilda, Maltilde, Mathilda (used in German too), Matia, Matie, Matti, Mattilda, Matyidy, Matyld, Maud, Maude, Metilda, Metilde, Tildie, and Tildy. Other English variants include the contracted forms Mat and Tilda (used in German, Scandinavian, and Spanish too), and the familiar forms Mattie, Matty (used in German too), Pattie, Patty (used in German too), Tillie, and Tilly (used in German too).

Derivatives used in other languages include Machteld (Dutch), Macia (Polish), Maddy (German), Mafalda (Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish), Mahaut (French), Mala (Polish), Malkin (German), Mallt (Welsh), Matelda (Italian), Mathild (Hungarian), Mathilde (French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish), Mati (Spanish), Matild (Armenian), Matilde (French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish), Matusha (Spanish), Matylda (Czech and Polish), Mechthild (German), Mechtilde (German), Metta (German), Mette (German), Thilde (German), Tila (Polish), Tilde (German, Scandinavian, and Spanish), and Tylda (Czech).

So maybe you can find inspiration in there (Marcia ? Mafalda ? Mahaut ?)

Or different names with similar sounds :

Marina
Margaret
Maria
Maya
Madeleine
Magdalena
Maelle
Maeve
Magalie
Marcella
Mariana
Martina

Also, think about what sounds you like in Matilda. Is it the Ma ? The -ilda ? Look at other names that have those same sounds.

For what it's worth I don't find Madison particularly awful, but I do think you may be disappointed in the long run if you use it as a replacement for Matilda.

Have you actually asked your friend how he would feel if you used the name? She might have no objection at all. Assure her you will not take offence if she does object but that you just want to check before looking for another name.

Don’t! It’s the new Paige, which was the new Chantelle.

Ottilie
Hepzibah
Nancy
Tabitha
Celeste
Martha

Do you like any name other than Matilda?

It seems to me that unless you really love Madison there is no need to use it. It will never be the name you really wanted. It will be second best.

I would start again and use a name you like for its own sake.