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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Aaliyah

34 replies

FullaDoll · 16/10/2010 14:52

OK, so my husband has come up with this name:

Aaliyah

We live in the Gulf, and he thought it would be nice to give our child a local name. To be honest, I do not really even know how to pronounce this name, so would be grateful if anybody could tell me.

Also, if anybody has any other suggestions for Arabic names, I would be really interested to hear them.

Thanks.

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EvaLongoria · 20/11/2010 21:02

My DD is called Aaliyah and we live in Oxfordshire but I am Muslim. My main reason was the R&B singer back in the day, I always loved her name and music. We have no problems with any adults or kids at her pre-school pronouncing her name. She is 3 and we are now expecting another baby not sure of the sex but if another girl thinking if calling her Zara. Still thinking of a boys name.

tanmu82 · 21/10/2010 19:17

I love the name Aaliyah (pro. Ah - lee- ya) in fact all the spellings, and this is on my shortlist for DD2. My first choice is Zahra (DD1 has an persian name) but DH doesn't like it. Shame, because I had really set my heart on it and me and the other DC's have been referring to baby as that.......

I also like Amira

barbie1 · 19/10/2010 17:08

Im in the springs too, my friend has just had a Ayla! Could we know the same people????

Original poster
FullaDoll · 19/10/2010 15:46

Nice names :-)

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NKinDXB · 19/10/2010 15:30

We've been through quite a few but currently favourite with both me and DH (and my family really like it) is Zoe. My DS (4) chose Rose as a middle name and we'll probably stick another in between for good measure. But DH is notorious mind-changer, so can't say for certain!

Original poster
FullaDoll · 19/10/2010 15:20

Have you decided on a name yet?

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NKinDXB · 19/10/2010 15:06

Sending a wave up! Very best of luck with your treatment. I hope you get what you want.

I'd be the same as you - I've always loved thinking about baby names. Took me a long time to conceive this time so been thinking names far too long now - what will I have to think about come December!

Original poster
FullaDoll · 19/10/2010 15:06

Aalia... I like that. I must say, it's growing on me.

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TwentiethCenturyHell · 19/10/2010 15:01

Lovely name :) I used to know someone called that but she spelt it Aalia.

Original poster
FullaDoll · 19/10/2010 14:53

Hi NKinDXB, I'm up in JLT on the 31st floor, so I can probably see your house from here.

I am not pregnant yet, we are doing IVF (with gender selection) in the US in a couple of weeks time. I know it is way too early to start picking names, but it passes the time I guess...

OP posts:
NKinDXB · 19/10/2010 14:40

Yep - Dubai, Springs! Guess that's why we're online at same time. Supposed to be getting DS to eat his dinner. When you due? I'm due mid-December.

Original poster
FullaDoll · 19/10/2010 14:37

Thanks girls! Some good suggestions there! I wonder if we could have Aliyah? Or Aleah? No, both look wrong.

Incidentally, where do you other Gulf dwellers live? We're in Dubai.

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NKinDXB · 19/10/2010 14:36

I agree missmiss. Particularly with the RnB singer connection - I always assumed Aaliyah was made up too! With names transliterated from languages using different alphabets there aren't really right and wrong spellings. Alia would be my choice. Much simpler and prettier.

missmiss · 19/10/2010 14:16

I know a Muslim Alia. Prefer that spelling: Aaliyah looks made-up, even though I know it's not!

NKinDXB · 19/10/2010 14:05

I'm in the gulf too and a friend has just called her baby girl this but spelt Alya. The stress is on the 'Ah' I believe. I'm sure you could adapt a spelling to suit. Alia?

I'm having a girl too and I considered choosing an arabic middle name but just couldn't make it fit with our other choices. Zahra probably my fave. Like Layla. Amal?

barbie1 · 18/10/2010 09:33

try here

barbie1 · 18/10/2010 09:32

We live in the gulf too and wanted an arabic middle name, we choose Nimah (nee-mah) which means little blessing Smile

We found it by googling arabic baby names, there are some really good sites....i will try to post you a link

capucine · 18/10/2010 09:24

Malaika means angel, I really love this name, it's in my top 3

spookyhalloweenFluffypomkins · 17/10/2010 21:23

Aaliyah is the hebrew spelling.
Aliyah/Aliyyah is the Arabic spelling Iirc!?

AnnieLoBOOseder · 17/10/2010 20:48

Is Aaliyah Arabic? It's a Hebrew phrase meaning "to go up", as in to be elevated. It's what you do as a Jew when you move to Israel, you elevate yourself and live in the Holy Land.

So I'd check how that goes down in the Gulf before you use it, TBH!

ValiumSkeleton · 17/10/2010 20:34

I don't like it. Too many vowels and not enough consonants. It seems long and hard to spell and a bit la la la sounding. JMO

spookyhalloweenFluffypomkins · 17/10/2010 20:33

oops dont know how the Grin ended up there?

spookyhalloweenFluffypomkins · 17/10/2010 20:31

Kalila :sweetheat
Asiya :one who tends to the weak
aliyyah: nobel

Silkstalkings · 17/10/2010 20:16

Maryam (Arabic version of Mary)
How about a name that just reminds you of the area?
Saffron
Jasmine
Cassia
Elana/Eliana = ray of sunlight
Dawn/Alba/Roxana

JamieLeeCurtis · 17/10/2010 18:09

I really like Aaliyah
and Imani