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One of my long time favourites, being a particular fan of English medieval names. The Ismenes and Ismenias by the way probably are named for the sister of Antigone – their story was known. There are a few Germanic girls names ending in -may – Richmay is another.
There is however no evidence for any Celtic connection.
I’m glad to see it so disliked – it’s just too good to be shared 🙂
I’ve also come across the variant Ysmay which I’ve heard has medieval celtic origins but I’ve never looked into it. Esme is a beautiful name however you spell it. 🙂
I’m with those who see Ismay as White Star Line all the way. Ismene, on the other hand, is a lovely name with real mythological origins. She was the sister of the doomed heroine Antigone, another seldom-used name I think deserves to be revived.
It’s pretty in a way, but I to add a “d” at the beginning of the word (i.e. dismay). I could see people who like Esme but dislike the Twilight connection going with this name, but I don’t really see it catching on for any other reason.
This is way too connected to Bruce Ismay for me, especially since I’m one of those people who rewatches my special collector’s edition of Titanic every year 🙂
Ugh! Seems like a lot of names I don’t like lately. I’m hanging my hat on Silke so far this month. In fact just last night I was reading a book about a fairy named Esme to my kids, wondering how it related to the other -me endings. Ismay, yes, just seems like a mispelling, and ugly. And I see no need for May to be a nn — it’s a name, for goodness sake.
For many people the name May is too short or abrupt to use as a full so they use a longer name to get to May/Mae as a nn… use of it as a nn doesn’t negate its use as a name just as use of it as a name does not mean it can’t be a nn.
Not for me, even though Esmeralda nn Esme’s on the list. Ismay’s ALL Bruce for me. When I saw the NotD, even before I read the entry in full, I was singing “Bruce”! Now I love Bruce, but not Ismay. Just…can’t…make…myself like it because of him! Sorry!
Sorry, I just see a creative spelling for Esme which is a name I absolutely adore.
I agree that it is pretty close to dismay.
I do like the nn May though.
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I’ve read that Ismay is a medieval spelling of Esm
One of my long time favourites, being a particular fan of English medieval names. The Ismenes and Ismenias by the way probably are named for the sister of Antigone – their story was known. There are a few Germanic girls names ending in -may – Richmay is another.
There is however no evidence for any Celtic connection.
I’m glad to see it so disliked – it’s just too good to be shared 🙂
I’ve also come across the variant Ysmay which I’ve heard has medieval celtic origins but I’ve never looked into it. Esme is a beautiful name however you spell it. 🙂
I’m with those who see Ismay as White Star Line all the way. Ismene, on the other hand, is a lovely name with real mythological origins. She was the sister of the doomed heroine Antigone, another seldom-used name I think deserves to be revived.
It’s pretty in a way, but I to add a “d” at the beginning of the word (i.e. dismay). I could see people who like Esme but dislike the Twilight connection going with this name, but I don’t really see it catching on for any other reason.
This is way too connected to Bruce Ismay for me, especially since I’m one of those people who rewatches my special collector’s edition of Titanic every year 🙂
Ugh! Seems like a lot of names I don’t like lately. I’m hanging my hat on Silke so far this month. In fact just last night I was reading a book about a fairy named Esme to my kids, wondering how it related to the other -me endings. Ismay, yes, just seems like a mispelling, and ugly. And I see no need for May to be a nn — it’s a name, for goodness sake.
For many people the name May is too short or abrupt to use as a full so they use a longer name to get to May/Mae as a nn… use of it as a nn doesn’t negate its use as a name just as use of it as a name does not mean it can’t be a nn.
Yesterday, I thought Femke was a boy’s name; today, I thought the same thing about Ismay, because it reminded me of Ismael… ;D
Not for me, even though Esmeralda nn Esme’s on the list. Ismay’s ALL Bruce for me. When I saw the NotD, even before I read the entry in full, I was singing “Bruce”! Now I love Bruce, but not Ismay. Just…can’t…make…myself like it because of him! Sorry!
Sorry, I just see a creative spelling for Esme which is a name I absolutely adore.
I agree that it is pretty close to dismay.
I do like the nn May though.