The creation of single collective excitations in atomic ensembles via spontaneous Raman emission plays a key role in several quantum communication protocols, starting with the seminal Duan-Lukin-Cirac-Zoller protocol [L.-M. Duan, M. D. Lukin, J. I. Cirac, and P. Zoller, Nature (London) 414, 413 (2001)]. This process is usually analyzed theoretically under the assumptions that the write laser pulse inducing the Raman transition is far off resonance and that the atomic ensemble is only homogeneously broadened. Here we study the impact of near-resonance excitation for inhomogeneously broadened ensembles on the collective character of the created atomic excitation. Our results are particularly relevant for experiments with hot atomic gases and for potential future solid-state implementations.