Opinions on Esme and Ismay?

[CeciliaC]

Both names are of French origin and have the same meaning.

Both names have been recorded as girl names since the 16th century.

Esme is lovely. Ismay is one letter away from Dismay.

I don't like either tbh.

My cousins DD is esme and shes a little arsehole which may colour my view.

I prefer Esme
I too think of dismay when I see Ismay.

Ismay has strong Titanic associations, if that might bother you - I’ve never seen it used as a first name before.

Dismay. Ismay's is d'Ismay in French.

Ismay immediately makes me think of Bruce Ismay. I have never heard of it as a first name.

Esme is a popular girls name in the UK.

Like others, I think you’ll regret Ismay. Esme is nice but there are loads of them.

Ismay is a bit rubbish. esme is seriously over used but if that’s what you want go for it.

Isnay isnay a name

I think Ismay will always be confused with Esme.

Esme has pronunciation issues. I know ones called Ez-may and Ez-mee in equal measure.

Ismay always just makes me think of Bruce Ismay from Titanic.

Sorry?

Not Ismay.

I've only ever seen Ismay used as a first name in a series of books, and as a surname due to the Titanic chap. I like it, though I agree that it will probably be repeatedly mistaken for the much more popular Esme.

Never come across Ismay before, but I think you'd be setting yourself/your child up for a lot of spelling out and correcting their name as most people would assume it's Esme.

I've only ever seen Ismay used as a first name in a series of books, and as a surname due to the Titanic chap.

Hastings Ismay was a soldier and military adviser to Churchill, among other things. He was distantly related to the Titanic Ismay.

Love Esme. I know a 4 year old Esme and she's a sweetheart.

Like the others, Ismay makes me think of Titanic and dismay.

I think Ismay is beautiful, with a mysterious medieval feel. I've only come across it in name books and in early English records. I also really like Esme.

I'm not keen on either. Both names smell like marzipan to me

I like Ismay.

I immediatly thought of Bruce Ismay, who was wrongly painted as a coward after the sinking of the Titanic. Mud sticks though so I wouldnt use it as a name myself tbh. Esme is lovely though

It is a first name but one she will have to spell out to others I think. There’s also Isemay or Ismee. Esme is the standard spelling. Or Esmee.

Ismay is great.
Esme is unfortunately overused and a bit dull these days. I don't get the attraction personally, but clearly plenty of people do!

It's a NAY for Ismay from me.
Esme is quite popular.

Do you like Sabine?

Esme, beautiful name.