Madeline vs. Madeleine

anssett

Our last name is very French and has super secret vowels (so she'll spend her whole life explaining that part anyway). I like Madeleine better, but I don't want to be mean. :-) 

In my head this is pronounced MAD-uh-line, but I don't fine other pronunciations annoying, just less awesome.

SmileyJay

It could be a regional thing, but these two names are pronounced differently where I live (Alabama). Madeline is mad-uh-line, while Madeleine is Mad-uh-lynn. Always. No exception that I have ever personally known. Of course, where I live you practically never see a Madeleine, they are all Madalyn's.

If you like the Mad-uh-line pronunciation, then Madeline it is! 

Helenahhandbasket

I think either spelling is fine. 

You might have to re-inforce the -line pronunciation either way, though, because I believe the French pronunciation of that name is either MAD-uh-LEN or MAD-uh-LEEN.

aprilbaby2014

Before The Bump, the only Madeline I knew, pronounced Mad-Uh-Line, was the little girl on the TV show . Maybe its my region, but EVERYONE days Mad-Uh-Lynn no matter the spelling /:

allardr

I love that name but I agree no matter which one you choose you'll have spelling & pronouncing corrections to make. The french show says Mad-uh-line. I personally say Mad-e-lynn. 

I always write Madeline though unless corrected so to me that's the default spelling.

Go with what you like, one or two corrections and people will have it

(it was my 2nd choice if this next one is a girl, I prefer spelling Madeline but saying Mad-uh-lynn...we ultimately didn't go with the name because Madison is so popular and didn't want her in that nn Maddy group)

SmileyJay

What Aprilbaby2014 said is true, this is one of those names that you will have to correct no matter how you spell it. It is like Breanna/Briana/Breonna to me in that way. 

In the south, they are all Mad-uh-lyn and I have also heard of the french pronunciation of Mad-uh-leen. Your daughter will really just get used to all forms

Helenahhandbasket

TheCraftyKoala said:

What Aprilbaby2014 said is true, this is one of those names that you will have to correct no matter how you spell it. It is like Breanna/Briana/Breonna to me in that way. 

In the south, they are all Mad-uh-lyn and I have also heard of the french pronunciation of Mad-uh-leen. Your daughter will really just get used to all forms

I mean, I don't think this is true.

If you want your DD to be called MAD-uh-LINE, just teach her while she's young to correct anyone that uses any other pronunciation.  She shouldn't have to be called by the wrong name.  It's not a difficult name.

NerdyLucy

This is just me personally, but if I wanted Mad-a-len (as many people use Madalyn or Madelyn), I would spell it Madeleine.

If I wanted Mad-a-line, emphasis on the long I sound in "line", I'd spelling it Madeline. 

Scarlett&Gatsby

Helenahhandbasket said:

TheCraftyKoala said:

What Aprilbaby2014 said is true, this is one of those names that you will have to correct no matter how you spell it. It is like Breanna/Briana/Breonna to me in that way. 

In the south, they are all Mad-uh-lyn and I have also heard of the french pronunciation of Mad-uh-leen. Your daughter will really just get used to all forms

I mean, I don't think this is true.

If you want your DD to be called MAD-uh-LINE, just teach her while she's young to correct anyone that uses any other pronunciation.  She shouldn't have to be called by the wrong name.  It's not a difficult name.

For sure. As insanely popular as every possible Maddy-name is, I don't think anyone will blink an eye over her being a /line/ over a /lyn/ or /leen/. She'll hardly be the first or only kid whose preferred pronunciation of Madeline they'll have to learn.

Irishcurls

Is it awful that I really go back and forth between preferring /lyn/ /line/? I feel like every time I see this name I change my mind. It's on my hypothetical long list, though DH doesn't love it. I think I'd prefer mad-uh-lynn, but wouldn't be mad if someone said mad-eh-line. 

queenbone

I prefer the Madeleine spelling, but if you want the LINE pronunciation I'd spell it Madeline

PinkKEL9

I pronounce them both Mad-uh-line, not Mad-uh-lynn. But thats just me. And I prefer the spelling Madeleine. I think its so pretty! 

baloneydisc

DD is Madeleine, pronounced -lynn. Everyone always pronounces it that way, so if you go with that spelling you will probably have to correct people all the time. If you want the -line pronunciation I would spell it Madeline.