I think my husband and I have finally decided on a name for our little girl! Maclaine [name]Elizabeth[/name]. We struggled finding a middle name that sounded good but are leaning toward [name]Elizabeth[/name] because we wanted something classic and feminine since the first name is unisex. I love the way Maclaine sounds when spoken, but not sure about it on paper. Options: MacLaine, McLaine, Maclaine…?
Also, what do you think of the name in general? I wouldn’t have the nerve to post if I wasn’t prepared for some criticism! Thanks in advance!
While the trendy Mc/[name]Mac[/name] names are not my style, Maclaine has a pretty sound and I like [name]Elizabeth[/name] in the middle spot. [name]Maclean[/name] is the usual male spelling and I think Maclaine looks more feminine ([name]Laine[/name] is regarded as the feminine spelling of [name]Lane[/name]). [name]Just[/name] be prepared for lots of other similar sounding names like [name]Mackenzie[/name], [name]Mikayla[/name], [name]Mckinley[/name], [name]Makenna[/name] and the like.
First off, what a great name! When I read the two spellings I pronounced Maclaine as “Muh-KLAYN” and McLaine as “[name]Mick[/name]-[name]LAYN[/name]” so I guess it depends on the way you’re pronouncing it. Personally I would go Maclaine all the way (lower case “L”). Beautiful.
The name fits right with the current trends: the “mac” element (which means “son”) paired with a more feminine sound ([name]Lainey[/name], [name]Kenzie[/name], [name]Kenna[/name], [name]Kayla[/name]). I’m not a fan (unless it’s a family name), but I assume most in real life people will find it creative and pretty. My only concern is that it will become dated in 10 years and your daughter might not appreciate having an oldfashioned name (imagine being called [name]Kelly[/name], [name]Lindsay[/name], or [name]Ashley[/name] right now…)
MacLaine [name]Elizabeth[/name] is pretty. I think this spelling is the most common one, and it would cause less problems.
Maclaine or [name]Maclean[/name] (I prefer Maclaine), but I would not do MacLaine or McLaine (anything with a capital L) - this makes it look like a surname and will likely be confusing on official documents etc. in the future.
I personally don’t care for it unless it has a personal significance. If it is a family name or you are honoring somebody then I would spell it the same way as they do.
Other than that, I find it very masculine and not unisex at all and I don’t particularly like it on a girl/women. I am sorry. [name]Just[/name] not a fan. I would spell it [name]Maclean[/name] because that is the spelling I am most familiar with. Sometimes I try to picture myself growing up with a name other than the one I have. I did that with [name]Maclean[/name] and I don’t think I would like it. I would be constantly spelling it out to people and explaining that it is not my surname, which people would assume it is. Also it isn’t feminine and I don’t like the meaning which is “servant”. Growing up I had a feminine name with a nice meaning and that meant a lot to me. There are some cute tomboy names or truly unisex names that are ok, I don’t think [name]Maclean[/name] is one of them. It would take a special kind of person to pull that kind of a name off.
[name]Elizabeth[/name] is nice. I’m not a fan of the mc/[name]Mac[/name] names especially on a girl. I can see the appeal, though. There is a magazine in [name]Canada[/name] called [name]Maclean[/name]'s and I also had a teacher with the last name MacLaine. So I really view it as a last name. But I’m sure if I met a cute little girl name Maclaine I would like the name a lot more. Congratulations on finding a name!
Thanks in advance!
I’m not a fan of the mc/[name]Mac[/name] names especially on a girl. I can see the appeal, though. There is a magazine in [name]Canada[/name] called [name]Maclean[/name]'s and I also had a teacher with the last name MacLaine. So I really view it as a last name. But I’m sure if I met a cute little girl name Maclaine I would like the name a lot more. Congratulations on finding a name!