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Esme- faddy/twilight?!

28 replies

JuniorMint · 13/10/2013 11:55

DH's favourite name is Esme. He's liked it for ages, even before I was pregnant. I really liked it too and we were pretty set on it, but over the last year or so I've noticed it's become quite popular, obviously because it is a gorgeous name but I think it also has an association with a baby in Twilight?! Someone at work recently commented a friend of theirs had announced their baby name as Esme and others commented "oh there's loads of them around at the moment" and "oh yes, like from twilight?". This has sort of given the name a bit of an association for me and I've gone off it, although the rational side of me knows it won't matter in 5+ years, it's still affected how I feel about the name! My current favourite is Erin (which DH does like too). However, DH has mentioned today that he still really likes Esme and its his favourite. What to do?! Any enlightening thoughts?

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aniara · 13/10/2013 12:25

Is the main problem the popularity or that people would think you got it from Twilight? It's not crazily popular, so that shouldn't be a problem unless you want a really unique name. I would probably assume that young-ish parents got the name from Twilight, but if you are 25+ I would just assume you like the name anyway. How about Esmeralda with NN Esme?

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LadyRochford · 13/10/2013 12:26

I think of Esme at a beautiful classic Scottish name. In sure everyone will have forgotten twighlight in a few years and Esme isn't a main character (isn't she the vampire family mum?).

There is a great website for looking at the popularity of names. Can't link as on phone, but google darkgreener names.

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JuniorMint · 13/10/2013 12:36

That darkgreener site is very interesting! Esme has gone up from 278th to 65th. I think the twilight association bothers me, I would feel like I would need to say to people "it's Esme... but not from twilight!!" Grin Realise I sound totally irrational!

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Timeforabiscuit · 13/10/2013 12:38

I think Esme stands away from the twilight books and is an absolutely beautiful name.

Renesme might raise a few eyebrows

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LordEmsworth · 13/10/2013 12:43

You could always tell them its from the Saki short story, to be a bit more highbrow...

Esme by Saki

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FiveExclamations · 13/10/2013 12:44

Love the name, I would assume it is the short version of Esmeralda.

I wouldn't have thought of the Twilight books, but I might wonder if one of you was a Terry Pratchett fan.

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Hassled · 13/10/2013 12:52

I know nothing at all about Twilight, but I do know a lot of small Esmes. It doesn't mean it isn't a lovely name though - if you like it, use it.

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JuniorMint · 13/10/2013 12:52

Timeforabiscuit Grin Do you think there are some little Renesmes out there?

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Timeforabiscuit · 13/10/2013 13:19

If there is a line to cross, you can guarantee someone in the world will cross it Wink

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elcranko · 13/10/2013 14:36

When I've met little Esmes before I haven't immediately thought of Twilight. I've just thought it was a nice name. If anyone asks you if Twilight inspired her name just say 'no?' with a blank stare Smile

Erin is gorgeous too!

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itsnothingoriginal · 13/10/2013 17:06

Esme is lovely. I wouldn't say faddy but is definitely much more popular in the last few years. We have several Esme' s in reception and Y1 but depends if that would worry you? It's a pretty name (I like it more as Es-mee but I know that's another debate in itself!).

I have no idea about the Twilight connection as have never watched it but maybe I'm in the minority there Grin

Erin also popular in these parts - often hyphenated with May/Mae I've noticed!

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TallulahBetty · 13/10/2013 17:45

Just remember that for however many people that have watched/read Twilight, there's just as many that haven't. I haven't done either and have no idea about the connection. It's a very popular name round where I live but it is nice. If you like it, go for it. Just act Confused Confused when they ask if it's from Twilight.

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dimdommilpot · 13/10/2013 19:16

I have an esme. She will be 3 at the end of the month. I choose the name 15 yr ago and had never seen the Twilight films. It does seem to be rising in popularity but ive never had a twilight comment and really dont care as i love the name.

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YoMamma · 13/10/2013 20:17

Esme is a lovely name but it is quite popular. Esme is a character in Twilight as well as Renesme. They also pronounce it Es-may in the films which isn't particularly nice imo - bloody Americans!

I much prefer Erin but it's also quite popular (number 36 last year) if that bothers you?

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HerrenaHarridan · 13/10/2013 20:44

I would also assume she was named for the utterly brilliant esmerelda weatherwax from terry pratchetts disc world.

Seriously considered calling my dd this Smile

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Weekipper · 13/10/2013 21:39

Mine is called after Mistress Weatherwax! We are both Pratchett fans. She is a strong role model.

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GrandstandingBlueTit · 14/10/2013 09:05

It's not the Twilight connection that would put me off - more the risk of people pronouncing it Es-mee.

Having said that, it really only seems to be in the UK where people pronounce it like that...

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TallulahBetty · 14/10/2013 09:42

I am in the UK and would pronounce it Es-May. Es-Mee sounds wrong to me Confused

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Writerwannabe83 · 14/10/2013 09:57

My cousin is an Es-mee (we are British) and she is 11 years old.

I think it's a lovely name. I really don't like the Es-may pronounciation.

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TallulahBetty · 14/10/2013 10:01

It's a real potayto/potahto name Grin

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squoosh · 14/10/2013 10:49

It's definitely quite popular these days, I haven't read Twilight though so was unaware of that connection.

It's a nice enough name if pronounced Es-may, I really dislike es-mee, sounds so feeble.

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Mim78 · 14/10/2013 14:46

I was going to say it would make me think of Terry Pratchett instead of Twilight. Which to me is a good think. But I have never seen or read Twilight.

How many adults would be familiar with Twilight though?

After calling my dd Gabriella, I was later told by a small child that it is a name in High School Musical, which I've also never seen. It's only ever been mentioned by a child, and then in an excited way. Now HSM appears to be less popular I probably won't hear that again. So the same will probably happen with Twilight - people will forget about it in a couple of years.

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Mim78 · 14/10/2013 14:46

Sorry - I good thing!

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sonlypuppyfat · 14/10/2013 14:47

I always thought Esme was an Old Testament name.

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JuniorMint · 14/10/2013 16:32

I like it from the JD Salinger short story From Esme With Love and Squalor Smile. I do still prefer Erin though, I am a primary teacher and don't know any. Lucy is also edging forwards, as is Rosa...

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