Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are the names Ava and Maeve too similar?

45 replies

Roo0611 · 21/05/2025 10:15

We already have an Ava.

OP posts:
ThunderSnacks · 21/05/2025 11:14

Roo0611 · 21/05/2025 10:59

@ThunderSnacks i love Mabel but the surname is Martin so wasn’t sure about Mabel Martin?

I actually think Maeve Martin is even harder to say! There also a famous comedian called Mae Martin.

Lmnop22 · 21/05/2025 11:13

Yes.

But I love Mabel and think that sounds better with Martin than Maeve because going from a “v” to an “m” sound is harder (for me at least 😬)

Rickrolypoly · 21/05/2025 11:09

Why are people saying MaevA? That is not how you pronounce Maeve.
I don't think they sound similar at all, although I'm not sure I love Maeve Martin together (sorry). But I love the name Maeve.
You could spell in the Irish way maybe?

CocoPlum · 21/05/2025 11:05

Roo0611 · 21/05/2025 10:59

@ThunderSnacks i love Mabel but the surname is Martin so wasn’t sure about Mabel Martin?

I mean ... if you're not keen on the sound of Mabel Martin I don't see how Maeve Martin is any better??

Another who also automatically said MaevA here!

Roo0611 · 21/05/2025 10:59

@ThunderSnacks i love Mabel but the surname is Martin so wasn’t sure about Mabel Martin?

OP posts:
Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 21/05/2025 10:53

Vanfan · 21/05/2025 10:52

I also did this much to my own wonderment.

Me too! We can't ALL be wrong..

Vanfan · 21/05/2025 10:52

cheddercherry · 21/05/2025 10:20

I didn’t think they were too similar when I read it, but I said it out load and instantly went “maevA” like it rolled off the tongue. Maybe that’s just me!

I also did this much to my own wonderment.

Doctorkrank · 21/05/2025 10:51

Yes, too similar!

ThunderSnacks · 21/05/2025 10:48

Both lovely but a bit too similar for me. What about Ava and May or Mabel?

cheddercherry · 21/05/2025 10:41

InterruptingRabbit · 21/05/2025 10:25

I just did exactly the same

That’s made me feel much more normal then! 😂 I was like oh god I’ve discovered a glitch in my system, physically can’t say MaevE next to Ava!

phoenixrosehere · 21/05/2025 10:29

Sounds lovely to me. The only way they are similar imo are that they are both vintage/classic names.

Fargo79 · 21/05/2025 10:28

Hmm I suppose if Ava is older, people will probably say "Ava and Maeve" which I think sounds OK. If people are likely to say "Maeve and Ava" I would avoid, because it runs together in a way that doesn't sound good (Mayva Nayva).

Lurkingandlearning · 21/05/2025 10:26

Too similar

GoldieFish · 21/05/2025 10:26

Yes. Our old neighbours had sons called Jude and Luke and said they regretted 0 because when shouted, all that was audible at a distance was the same 'oo' vowel sound, and the boys, when one was being called for something, would just say, 'I thought you were calling Jude/Luke!'

So I would say that anything that is likely to sound similar when called, or that is easily mistaken at a distance, is a no no on practical grounds as a sibling pair. I think Ava and Maeve (assuming you pronounce Ava as 'AY-va' with the same vowel sound as 'Dave') would have the Jude/Luke problem, even if Ava has a second, unstressed syllable.

InterruptingRabbit · 21/05/2025 10:25

cheddercherry · 21/05/2025 10:20

I didn’t think they were too similar when I read it, but I said it out load and instantly went “maevA” like it rolled off the tongue. Maybe that’s just me!

I just did exactly the same

cheddercherry · 21/05/2025 10:20

I didn’t think they were too similar when I read it, but I said it out load and instantly went “maevA” like it rolled off the tongue. Maybe that’s just me!

hazelnutvanillalatte · 21/05/2025 10:19

Not if you're really set on it because it's not a huge issue, but otherwise I would probably pick something else

YeezyBreezy · 21/05/2025 10:18

Yes. Too similar, they’ll sound silly together.

aredcar · 21/05/2025 10:18

I think they’re too similar

KrisAkabusi · 21/05/2025 10:17

No, they're different. Different number of syllables, the stresses are in different places. I'd go with it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread