Madeleine?

[CaramelWaferAndTea]

DD due soon and we keep on coming back to Madeleine. Very boring surname like Smith, DS Theodore.

The only thing is the obvious connection from the news stories. I searched it and surprised to see it’s still such a frequent news item in some papers - it isn’t in those we read. Any thoughts?

It's a lovely name but personally the association would put me off.

I really like Madeleine. The association wouldn’t put me off as Madeleine is well used enough for it not overtake the name. It’s still in moderate use as a baby name - though it hasn’t recovered from its plummet in 2008. I’d be sure you’re ok with the diminutive Maddy though.

The association wouldn't put me off if I loved the name. There have been enough Madeleine's that I don't think it is completely ubiquitous with that story, compared to an unusual name like Ghislaine which will have a very tough time making a come back, especially given she is the 'villain' in that story.

However, it has put people off if you look at this chart the 3 versions of Madeleine took a dive at 2008 and remained steady since, though haven't completely dropped from use - at least 100 babies each year and many years over 300 babies for the most popular spelling alone. Only you can decide if the potential association is too much for you. names.darkgreener.com/#made

I was just saying to DH last night that it's such a beautiful name but I'd never use it because you just think of her whenever you hear it unfortunately

I like it a lot. I would use it. It’s a classic name.

Lovely name and goes very well with Theodore...
Other options that I think are in same style...
Meredith,
Clementine
Florence
Elizabeth
Katherine
Constance

I like the name a lot. I wouldn’t overly dwell on the name association. You could name your child anything and then in the future it could be a name linked to something high profile.

I like the name and agree with @toastofthetown regarding the association with MM

Most people in the UK probably know at least one Madeline or Maddy so MM would not be their immediate association with the name

It's a lovely name. The disappearance was already 15 years ago, so her peers would be unlikely to have a strong association with the case. I would use it personally.

Wouldn't put me off. That gorgeous girl needs remembering..
Tbh only names associated with 'baddies'shouldn't be used...

@SummaLuvin that chart is brilliant, thanks!

It’s a lovely name, but I can’t hear it without thinking of the Madeleine we all know. I think it’s too soon.

I have a Madeleine who is nearly 10. I have always loved the name. If you Iove it go for it! Never had any negative comments about it from anyone, in fact people usually say what a pretty name it is.

It's certainly not too soon, what a bizarre thing to say! Disappearances and deaths sadly happen all the time, we don't stop re-using those people's names.

I have one, born in early 2007.
Some people commented when MM disappeared but never happens now.

Unless it's a really extreme example ( Adolf?) I think once you have met someone,you associate their name with them

Interestingly, though despite it being relatively uncommon there are 3 in Dds class!

We have a wonderful 16 year old Madeline ,so named before the sad events.
We adore her name as does she and it absolutely suits her.
She goes by Maddie too.

I think it's a beautiful name.
It's also the name of a Swedish princess (and maybe because I'm not from the UK originally, hearing the name makes me think of her in the first place).

I think it's lovely. I wouldn't think of the name association.

@BunnyRuddington

It's a lovely name but personally the association would put me off.

Same

Madeleine is gorgeous. It goes beautifully with Theodore too. My first connections with the name are that it's a lovely French name and then madeleine cookies. Then finally remembering that a Maddy I know is actually a Madeleine!

I have a10 year oldMadeleine, never regretted the name. She goes by Maddie at school

I love Madeleine, beautiful name, really wanted to use it myself but DH vetoed it :( go for it!

Its a beautiful name, it doesn't have to be associated with her. It's like saying we can't use the name Jams after what happened to that little boy.

I wouldn’t worry about the association with Madeleine McCann, as other have said, no reason not to use the name. But, the name itself does seem ultra popular for girls born around 2000 -2005, nothing wrong with that, fashions change, but I might be less inclined to use it for that reason rather than any association.

I know an Adeline - pronounced like Madeline. I’d never heard it before & I think Adeline is LOVELY! & avoids the obvious connection!