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Emma because it’s my name but neither really
My gosh why did these names catch on so much?

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Emma still feels rarer to me than Emily because it was so much rarer when I was a kid. It’s also cool to me because it has 2 consecutive Ms. very few names have that. It’s kind of shimmery and weird for that reason... and so primitive a sound, it feels ancient. Fun to write in cursive.

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Emily just seems like an everygirl name. More than that, it’s an everyname name.

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Edit: I know Emma is really popular, but I haven’t actually met any young Emma’s! And I’ve taught three Noras, two Luke’s, and three Ann double names, so it’s not like I’m out of the loop.

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Edit edit: I didn’t type apostrophe s after those names, my autocorrectdid

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Third edit: never seen anyone even play with Emma on the board, to my memory

This message was edited 3/26/2021, 10:02 PM

They both need to retire.

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But in all seriousness, I find Emily to be more substantial. Emma is a very boring name to me - and I'm someone who likes Anna, so that should tell you something. :-)

This message was edited 3/26/2021, 8:44 PM

Emma and I really cannot explain why. Emily seems more annoying, for the lack of a better word.

I much prefer Emily. Emma is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way too popular. Oh my gosh, I meet a new Emma every day. I still love the name Emma, but it's very popular. Emily was super popular in the 2000s (my gen), but I really love it. It sounds sort of blandish from hearing it so much, but I really love it. It's still cute!

Emily.

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Deep down I love both, but Emma feels sort of frumpy when I think about it.

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If I had to have an Emily, I wouldn't be sad about it.

Emily

Emma

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For some reason, I'm not a fan of Emily. I don't like the look or sound of it very much. While I don't love Emma, it's so classic and I find it nicer than Emily.

Emily, it's not as popular, prettier

This message was edited 3/26/2021, 12:17 PM

I grew up with too many Emilys to really appreciate it. I like it old-timey settings only, or as a middle name. So Emma is my pick, but if I had my druthers I'd go with Emilia.

Emma

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Emma's adorable and makes me think of Emma Roberts and Emma Watson.

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Emily is the most tired name of my generation. Every other girl is either named Emily or knows someone named Emily, but Emma is less common and sounds happier.

I prefer Emma. It’s the other way around in the UK, Emily is the current popular one, whereas Emma is very common for women in their 30s+. It would be quite refreshing to meet a baby Emma here.

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Also the Emmas I have known have generally been nicer people than the Emilys!

This message was edited 3/26/2021, 11:04 AM

"Emma is a silly little name" were the words of a colleague who was considering it for a daughter before it went viral.

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I have to agree. It is bland and flimsy. Emily has a pleasing rhythm and sounds much more interesting.

Emily.

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I don't know why, but to me it sounds softer, milder.

I'm crazy tired of both!

Emma or Emily?

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I have a soft spot for both names. I remember that poll of yours and I was as surprised as you. My guess is people prefer Emily on here because of the preference of Emma "out there" at the moment. I like both with equal stride and especially like Emma as a NN for an Emily. There is a sweetness and gentleness to them that cannot be ignored and that is why they became popular in the first place.

This message was edited 3/26/2021, 8:52 AM