Madeleine

[Teakind]

Can I ask what you think of the name Madeleine? I really like it but of course it makes me think of Madeleine McCann.

Is the connection too strong to use it now do you think?

No, I don't think it's too strong (unless your surname also begins with a M, then maybe...). There are other cultural references for Madeleine apart from the McCann case (Actress Stowe, Secretary of State Albright, the "Madeline" kids books... I personally think of the character in "North and South" so I hear the name said in Patrick Swayze's voice!).

But I think it did put a lot of parents off (there was a huge drop in popularity in the name after her tragic disappearance and it hasn't recovered yet). However Madeleine is a gorgeous name, it would be a shame for it to continue to be underused imo.

If you are still put off though, names with a similar feel to me are Josephine, Juliet, Vivienne, Lillian, Genevieve, Miranda and Mireia.

I have a Madeleine- beautiful name and no one has ever mentioned the McCann link. Have never met any other young Madeleines either, she is the only one in her school (400 children) and the only ones in her clubs

It’s where my brain went instantly. I’m not sure they should put you off if you like the name... trying to think how I’d react if someone introduced a Madeleine to me IRL. Not sure.

We have a Madeline
She's awesome and was a baby when Madeline McCann was taken and no one has ever mentioned her name in regards to what happened.

I think as long as your surname isn’t similar to McCann then it’s not a problem and useable!

Gorgeous, gorgeous name! In terms of the McCann connection, it’s not like it’s a wildly unusual name and while I get the association immediately afterwards, I think enough time has passed that it’s not the immediate thought.

I've known two, named 10-15 years ago, so after Madeleine McCann. Nobody ever mentions the connection. Both shorten to Maddie/Maddy. Lovely name for a girl or a grown-up.

I think it's a stunningly pretty name and if it wasn't for the connection it would be very popular. Parents who had children at that time would make a connection - and you might initially get some resistance from grandparents, but I think parents of babies and toddlers now wouldn't.
Completely different context, but remember mil making some odd connection with a name we were considering, but I argued that no one our age knew of this character.

Madeline would make a subtle distinction?

It's a beautiful name, but McCann is my first association unfortunately.

Madeline is a good idea, though. Just that little bit different.

It’s a beautiful beautiful name which I wanted to call my eldest, but I felt the McCann association is just still too prevalent. Give it ten years

Madeline is just the American spelling, which is wrong!

Thanks for all the replies. I thought they’d be more ‘no’s’ so maybe I am overthinking it.

I think it’s such a beautiful name.

I wouldn’t have made the connection without prompting. Possibly as I have always known Madeleines but also it’s an old story that’s gone now. I don’t think it’s a topic prevalent in day to day life.

I can’t see any issue, not as if child would be bullied for such a thing. Silly to let something like that put you off a name you love.

I think it’s been long enough now that the association isn’t too strong. It’s a very pretty name.

We have a lot of Madeleines at DD school but they are all Maddies

The most beautiful name imo.
I think it’s time it was reclaimed actually. I’d use it, as long as you’re not called McGann or anything similar.

I think of the little girl who live in Paris in a house covered in vines...

I agree it's a beautiful name but that association is very strong for me personally.

Middle name?

I love this name and would definitely use it! And it doesn't matter if people connect it with Madeleine McCann anyway. She was an innocent little girl who went missing, not a serial killer! Go for it!

Lovely name. I think it's got enough history and popularity by not be associated with the McCanns.

I used it as the middle name of one of my DDs. She was born before the disappearance.

You have no guarantee no matter what name you choose that it's not going to be the next name all over the news.

Fwiw, I would use it again regardless of the McCann case.

I know a Madelene. She's 23 now and is awesome.No one calls her Maddie! Sometimes Mads, but usually Madelene. She was my DD's earliest friend, and geography has driven them apart.

I don't particularly like the name, but that has nothing to do with Madeleine McCann. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

It’s a beautiful name, fine as long as your surname isn’t similar to McCann. I know a 22 year old Madeleine and associated the name with her first, the people in your life will do the same with your DD. As a previous poster said, any name can end up in the news. I’d use it if you like it.