Comments (Usage Only)
Used in multiple English speaking countries, not just the UK. [noted -ed]
1
1
Esmé is the masculine form of the name, Esmée would be the correct feminine form in French (just as with René (m) and Renée (f)).
7
7
It is redundant to add an extra E to the name Esmé - it doesn't need to be feminized, as by now it is already a female name. Neither does it need to follow French spelling rules, as it isn't a French name, but a British one based on a French word.
5
5
I think some people have vastly over-rated how "masculine" the name Esmé EVER was. It was only used by the Stewarts as a boy's name for a few generations; one of the Esmés died young, and after that they abandoned it as an unfortunate choice.
It never become popular in Scotland as a boy's name, and when it came into more common use in the 19th century, it was overwhelmingly more often chosen as a girl's name.
In 1894 an anonymous novel called The Green Carnation caused a scandal as a portrayal of Oscar Wilde and his lover Sir Alfred Douglas. In the novel, the Oscar Wilde character is called Esmé, possibly chosen as a name with gender ambiguity. The novel was one of the pieces of evidence used to convict Oscar Wilde for indecency, and have him sent to prison.
After the novel, it is rare to find any examples of boys named Esmé - not that there ever had been very many.
5
It never become popular in Scotland as a boy's name, and when it came into more common use in the 19th century, it was overwhelmingly more often chosen as a girl's name.
In 1894 an anonymous novel called The Green Carnation caused a scandal as a portrayal of Oscar Wilde and his lover Sir Alfred Douglas. In the novel, the Oscar Wilde character is called Esmé, possibly chosen as a name with gender ambiguity. The novel was one of the pieces of evidence used to convict Oscar Wilde for indecency, and have him sent to prison.
After the novel, it is rare to find any examples of boys named Esmé - not that there ever had been very many.
5
This name is actually extremely uncommon in France. There are apparently 44 girls named Esmé living in France as of 2010.
5
5
My name is Esmé and I've met quite a few Esmés in my life, all women, most spelled the same as me though one omitted the accent. A number of people automatically link my name to Twilight, which I find frustrating, not being much of a fan, but occasionally there are people that I meet who get the Salinger reference instead. Many others have never heard the name and think it's quite lovely. I go by Ez or Es. Some pronounce my name Ez-May, as I do, but other people call me Ez-Me. It's usually a conversation starter when I meet people, which is nice.
1
1
I dislike Esmé but I love Esmée for a girl. Esmé is the MASCULINE form of the name. Feminine forms end in -ée, so in my opinion it would be ridiculous to give Esmé to a girl. Esmée is the correct feminine form.
I know that in the US people use René for girls occasionally which is just as wrong. The feminine form is Renée.
Please note that in France people would assume René and Esmé were boys and Renée and Esmée were girls. Show some respect to the French language and spell it the correct way for a girl Esmée.
1
I know that in the US people use René for girls occasionally which is just as wrong. The feminine form is Renée.
Please note that in France people would assume René and Esmé were boys and Renée and Esmée were girls. Show some respect to the French language and spell it the correct way for a girl Esmée.
1
In South Africa Esme is only ever used as a female name. Nothing else at all. And not as an abbreviation, either. It's pronounced EZ-may.
It's old-fashioned now, but still very familiar. There was a stage and radio/TV actress many years ago called Esme Euvrard, and those who remember her connect the name with washing powder commercials.
2
It's old-fashioned now, but still very familiar. There was a stage and radio/TV actress many years ago called Esme Euvrard, and those who remember her connect the name with washing powder commercials.
2
Became a popular name in England & Australia between 1905 and 1930. Has staged a comeback with an Australian TV character ('Esme Watson' in TV show A Country Practice). Also US actor Michael J Fox (Spin City; Return to the Future) has a daughter Esme, as has US actor Anthony Edwards (E.R.; Top Gun).
1
1
Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.