What do you think of Mahalia?

[Monica101]

Pronounced Ma hay lee a.

I have being thinking of it for ages, I have decided I really like it after thinking it was a bit too quirky at one point.

Any opinions on it gratefully received thanks.

[EssentialHummus]

I've never heard it before. Sounds "generically foreign" to me (sorry, that sounds twattish, not meant as such). It's very easily pronounced and sounds soft/pretty, I think.

[gamerchick]

A witch in dying light?

[KP86]

I know one. Now as a late teen she's known mostly as Hayley.

It's a pretty name, but very usual and she will spend a lot of time repeating and spelling it.

[MissTessmacher]

It sounds like an African country crossed with a disease.

[manicinsomniac]

I liked it when I read it but I was pronouncing it Mu-harr-lee-a.

I don't like Ma-hay-lee-a

I'm not sure why I feel differently - I think perhaps it sounds like 'behaviour' to me somehow. Or maybe because it sounds like Michaela gone wrong? I don't know but I'm just not keen.

[Anomite]

I'm sorry but I think this as above;

**It sounds like an African country crossed with a disease.
😳

[Monica101]

Thanks for the views!

Google tells me it's a Hebrew name but I know what you mean, it sounds a bit unplaceable.

Is 'dying light' a game? I've just googled it... Things like this are a worry. Like using Elsa pre frozen or Hermione pre Harry Potter. Is this game going to be v famous?

[originalmavis]

Jackson

[StealthPolarBear]

I don't know but if I had another daughter I'd seriously consider malala, which sounds similar.

[Helenluvsrob]

You lot are ... Well...

Have you never heard of mahalia Jackson ?

An amazing lady to be named after.

[steppemum]

I know one, she is 8.

He family are half German, so I had assumed it was a German name, but maybe not. They pronounce it Ma har lee ar.

It is unusual and takes most people quite a while to remember it. But is lovely on her.

[RudeElf]

Christ people are scummy about names on here. a disease? Thats someone's name!

OP i think its lovely.

and there is no r in it

[pieceofpurplesky]

Gorgeous name. Unusual but not wacky (if you have heard of ms Jackson and her amazing voice)

[Sophronia]

I like it

[DaphneWhitethigh]

Clearly none of you are eighties indie kids otherwise you'd know exactly who she was and how the name is pronounced
m.youtube.com/watch?v=u-IF0sr2zhQ
Pretty name.

[duckduckquack]

Love it but have only ever heard it pronounced 'Ma-ha-lee-ah'

[IdaShaggim]

My first thought was Mahalia Jackson also. Lovely name, easily shortened to 'Lia'.

I would pronounce it 'Mah hah lee ah' with a slight emphasis on the second syllable.

[crapfatbanana]

I'm not a huge lover of it, but I do know of Mahalia Jackson - the only time I've ever come across the name.

[tomatodizzy]

Reminds me of Malaria. So I can see why some others have said disease. If it reminds some of an African country then that's fine, possibly Malawi? Lots of people are named after countries. It would be pretty if it wasn't for the Malaria association that I cannot shake, sorry.

[lighteningirl]

I think it's lovely

[JennyOnAPlate]

It's a pretty name but I wouldn't have had a clue how to pronounce it.

[originalmavis]

I always thought it was ma-ha-leeah.

Must dig out my old LPs... I haven't heard her in yonks.

[DiamondStuddedFlunkie]

It sounds a bit like Malia with and 'h' added to make it more yoonique.

Marlie as a nn would be good.

[missnatalie]

i love the name. Its quite popular over here in Australia. I have 2 friends who are kiwis names Mahalia.

[Monica101]

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't been put off so that is a good sign, I really like it.

I can see there will be a bit of a pronunciation split but I think I can live with that. I would definitely go for the Ma hay lia pronunciation.