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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Can the name Madeleine still be used or does everyone immediately think of Madeleine McCann?

81 replies

TS24 · 18/02/2023 11:06

Just that really.

OP posts:

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PuppyMonkey · 18/02/2023 11:15

I’ll ask my DD Madeleine, who is 26 and never once been mistaken for Madeleine McCann.

Northlights22 · 18/02/2023 11:40

Yes
it’s a beautiful name

plumduck · 18/02/2023 11:41

It's a nice name. I think the very fact you asked the question shows that you think of Madeleine McCann.

1stWorldProblems · 18/02/2023 11:48

@plumduck is right. It's whether you think that. My DD was named that 16 years ago & when she was under 3, I got that question occasionally - to which the answer was a firm "No - she was born before MM disappeared." Not heard it for about a decade.

IsadoraQuagmire · 18/02/2023 11:52

I don't know why anyone would automatically think of her, it's never been an unusual name (it's nice though)

Topseyt123 · 18/02/2023 11:55

Of course it can be used. It's a nice name.

ÉireannachÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ · 18/02/2023 11:56

I associate it immediately with Mccan. Some people will.some people won't.

NotMyDayJob · 18/02/2023 12:00

Madeleine not so much, but Maddie I'm afraid I do

Twoinapod · 18/02/2023 12:21

I think it might be a lot of people’s first thought, but once they meet a madeleine I imagine that link then gets replaced with the one they have met. Although a well known name it’s not overly common. I don’t think it is likely to be a problem though. A lot of names have tragic links, but people still use them with no issues.

IncompleteSenten · 18/02/2023 12:22

Some people will. I wouldn't let it put me off using a name I liked

PeekAtYou · 18/02/2023 12:23

It's only unusable if the surname is McCann imo.

Needmorelego · 18/02/2023 12:35

It's one of those names I am always unsure if I am pronouncing it correctly (some are Mad-a-Line, some are Mad-a-Lane) and I have to check the spelling every single time. So for that reason it's one of those names that irritates me.
However I don't bat a eyelid at children being called the name though. It's such a common name that I don't associate/instantly think about it with Maddie McCann the same way I don't associate James, Ben, Jessica or Holly with children who tragically lost their lives/are missing.
I have been reminded of the sad circumstances of those children due to writing this right this minute (so I am literally thinking about them) but if I bumped into a friend with a baby and said "Ooh what's his name" I wouldn't instantly think "oh gosh like that poor child who was murdered" if they told me their child was named James.

CantFindTheBeat · 18/02/2023 12:35

There are many, many Madeleine's around, of lots of ages.

It doesn't at all make me think of Madeleine McCann at all. In the same way Jamie doesn't make me think of Jamie Bulger.

In the same way Nicola doesn't make me think of Nicola Bulley.

All just so sad, tragic cases, but not associated with relatively popular names, no.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 18/02/2023 12:45

It would only make me think of Madeleine McCann if it was paired with a Mc surname. Otherwise, no, perfectly useable name!

PeekAtYou · 18/02/2023 12:47

Rose is very popular as a name but I don't think of Rose West.

Paturday · 18/02/2023 12:48

Yes. It’s a widely used name. It’s not like she was the only Madeleine so everyone would think of her, if you know what I mean. I know lots of little Maddys.

ChaToilLeam · 18/02/2023 12:49

Use it if you like it! It’s a gorgeous name.

So1invictus · 18/02/2023 12:54

It's fine. It was always fine. It's not like it was particularly unique at the time. The Madeleine/Matilda/Martha trio were really popular (esp Matilda) at the time and I doubt anyone would think McCann.

IglesiasPiggl · 18/02/2023 13:01

It's a nice, relatively common name so go for it. As a PP said, it's more the alliterative M with the surname of McCann that makes that stick out. Introducing herself as, say, Madelaine Phillips or Madelaine Cartwright isn't going to be too reminiscent.

Confusedteacher · 18/02/2023 13:05

I teach loads of Maddies, so it clearly hasn’t put people off as they would all have been born since Madeleine McCann disappeared. It’s a fairly common name.

IreallyLikeCrisps · 18/02/2023 13:15

It's a lovely name and I don't think people automatically associate it with Madeleine Mcann.

Really dislike the nickname Maddy though!

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 18/02/2023 13:19

I know a really lovely Madeleine in her late teens and would associate the name with her. As others have said, it's a fairly common but beautiful name.

Sunriseinwonderland · 18/02/2023 13:22

Yes that's all they think of and its really fiddly to spell as well like Jaqueline - I'd give both of those names a miss.

JudesBiggestFan · 18/02/2023 13:24

I think it's fine. Mind you,one of the young women at work the other day said she was planning to use the name Myra if she had a daughter. I have to say I recoiled at that and so did the other women in their 40s at our table. The women in their 20s had never heard of her...it was just a pretty sounding name to them.
I know lots of Maddie's though and even if people had a passing moment it would be a sad connection, not an evil one. And probably most people wouldn't think at all, it was a long time ago now.

tara66 · 18/02/2023 13:25

Yes thought McCann immediately. But it may be an age thing.
How long is it now? Young people will recall it less.

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