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Esmeralda does sound Spanish or Mexican, to me. If she isn't of that heritage, though, it makes no difference. So what. It's a beautiful name. Using a Spanish-sounding name is no different that using, say, a French-sounding name such as Danielle or Michelle, or an Irish-sounding name such as Shannon or Kelly.

I think life is way too short to worry about what others would think of your baby's name. If this name is one you truly love, then go for it. If you aren't truly in love with it and have doubts, then you might want to reconsider. I'd say this, btw, even if Esmeralda were the #1 name in the country. If you love it enough, then it's worth it.

Well, it doesn't sound "too Spanish" but to me it sounds strange and OTT, a bit like the name of a soap character or the gypsy girl from Notre Dame...

No I think it's more quirky-fannish than overtly Spanish. For someone like me I automatically think of the character from the Hunchback of Notre Dame first because the name Esmeralda has such a strong link to that and only that. I think the middle name will constribute a lot too though. A combo like Esmeralda Maria for example would make me think "oh maybe this name was chosen for the culture" rather than something like Esmeralda Leia which would make me think "the parents must be pop culture fans".

It doesn't sound particularly Spanish to me but I live in an area where there are hardly any hispanic people. I guess if you live in an area where there are a lot of hispanic people, then people might make the assumption.

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How about Esme or Esmee?

I think you should use whatever name you like.

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Her is an anecdote about people making assumptions about the name Esmeralda.
There is a little girl named Esmeralda H- obvious Bosnian last name. The special education specialist went to schedule an interpreter for the parents and requested a Spanish language interpreter. As the ESL department head I had to intervene. People judge and make assumptions. Personally I judge a little on last names because it is more often indicative but the child M. Lopez was so far removed from her Hispanic roots that she had NO connection at all to the Spanish langauge. Many students who don't speak Spanish but have that heritage will have excellent accents or excel in the language. This child did not.

Esmeralda is a beautiful name with lots of nickname potential. I wouldn't worry about it sounding too Spanish. My own name (Alma) is very Spanish in modern Western countries, yet I'm Chinese-Australian and nobody's ever assumed me to be Spanish (though that may have something to do with my Asian surname).

Esmeralda is a gorgeous name, don't let anyone put you off it! People will make assumptions about others no matter what their name is, so I wouldn't worry!

I think it's very Spanish. I'd personally assume that there's some Spanish heritage. However, it's not unusable by English speakers. But if you'd be really bothered by the assumption about her ethnicity, then maybe Esmeralda isn't the best choice.

Well, the name IS Spanish and Portuguese.

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It really shouldn't matter if you really love the name. Who cares if people make assumptions about her name? So she's not Spanish, big whoop. I don't think anyone would care that much. People always think I'm Spanish but I'm not. All I say is, "Nope" and they're over it. It's not a big deal. It isn't even a little deal.

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Truth be told, the name was made accessible with the character in "Hunchback of Notre Dame". I'd be more worried that people would immediately think of that character rather than it being 'too Mexican' or whatever nonsense.

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But I love the name Esmeralda and that's all that really matters--that YOU love the name. Don't let people's assumptions (and you know what happens when you assume) dissuade you from using a perfectly pretty name.