Dream name Magdalene - but living in Cambridge!

[cambridgecoral]

We decided on our name for our new DD - Magdalene.
It's perfect - works well with our surname and the name of DS. I'm totally enamoured with it!

But I suddenly realised today - we live in Cambridge.
One of the most well-known university colleges here is MAGDALENE COLLEGE!

Arghhhhhhhh!
Is this the worst choice of name? Are we going to look a bit ridiculous if we name her Magdalene?
Is there some variation which would be better?
I'm pretty devastated with this realisation, but worried my bias will push me to go ahead, and we'll end up regretting it later.
What do you think?
Arghhh! 😫

Do you know the sad stories of the Magdalene laundries in Ireland? Thought you were going to say about that- maybe look it up?

It is not stated biblically that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. There was a prostitute, there’s no suggestion in the text that she was Mary Magdalene. It’s what some pope said, and not everyone is Catholic.

I think Magdalena is nicer

Again it is not stated in the bible that she is a prostitute. Many christian regard her as on a par with the other apostles the channel of confirmation" to Jesus's disciples, a "heroine" who "re-established the faith of the apostles" and was "a light of nearness in his kingdom". So the religious associations are generally positive rather than negative if you are religious.

Yep, this is what I was told as a Catholic school child.

Yes, this would put me right off. Magda and Magdalena would be ok though.

'Many christian regard her as on a par with the other apostles'

Exactly. Thought everyone knew this. Baffled at her being reduced to ‘sex worker’.

Kind words, but I'm afraid I think it's an ugly, harsh name. I wouldn't be at all grateful to be called it, so please don't speak for everyone.

What a strange comment. I wasn't speaking for everyone. I like the name, you don't. That's the whole point of this thread.

Maudlin pronunciation is fine, but the meaning isn't.
Magdala is pretty

@marshmallowfinder , @ginasevern posted her opinion and did not speak on your behalf.

@cambridgecoral , a friend's sister named her child Trinity and I used to work with an Emmanuel.

My thoughts would go to the Magdalene laundries sorry op

i agree with pps that Magdalena would be a nicer choice

Why not replace the final e with an a - Magdalena instead of Magdalene?That would avoid her getting called Maudlin by mistake.

Or Madeleine?

I would suggest no to pronouncing it "Maudlin" like the college as it's a bit like calling a child "tired and emotional".

If pronouncing like Mary Magdalene, I think it's nice but to avoid confusion Magdalena, as previously suggested, is nice.

MM comes out of the new testament stories pretty well iirc so don't worry about that.

Could be Maud for short.

Yes, it's just yet another example of a misogynist historically calling any woman a prostitute if she's not married and submissive, and a bunch of misogynists down the ages embracing and embellishing that lie.

Reclaim the name!

Are you going to pronounce it as Mag-del-aine or Maud-lin? I'd go with the former and I don't think anyone will think twice.

no as some people will pronounce Maud-lin

Magdalena is nice

You are overthinking this, several of the colleges contain names.

if you meet someone called Lucy, Catherine or Clare would you automatically think college?

Magdalen is lovely.

😂

Magdalena is better as it avoids both the maudlin and laundry issues.

Cantab here, no one would bat an eyelid. If you like it and it goes with your surname do it.

Magdalena is fab! Could be Magda or Lena for short. Or Maggie or Laney. Lot of hate for Maggie on the thread, but I went to uni with a Maggie who was dark-haired, gorgeous, American, cool and the opposite of Mrs Thatcher in every way. Also the actress Maggie Grace is stunning.

Unless you intend to pronounce her name Maudlin, you'll be fine.