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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nefeli or Maite

39 replies

Mum8 · 11/09/2012 23:14

Which baby name do you like most for a girl: Nefeli or Maite ?
And how would you pronounce them?

The first is Greek and the second is Spanish (Basque).
We love both of them, but unsure how they will be pronounced here in the UK.
My partner is Spanish and I am Greek and we thought it will be nice to give our little one a name from our own cultures.

Thanks very much for any input you may have on pronunciation and if you like the names :-)

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sashh · 18/09/2012 05:30

Maite reminds me of bubble bath, love Nefeli and Lara

PurplyWurply · 18/09/2012 02:01

Nefeli is beautiful. Lara is okay, but easily confused with Laura and Cara.

LemonLovesLilac · 15/09/2012 22:24

Really don't like either but if had to pick one it would be Nefeli

DaisyBD · 15/09/2012 12:22

I have a basque friend called Maite and it took me a while to learn to pronounce it as she does - sort of MA-ee-teh (shortish ee/i sound and short e at the end) - the closest English pronunciation is My-Ta or My-Ter, which she doesn't like at all! Grin I think it's a hard name for English tongues.

Original poster
Mum8 · 14/09/2012 22:27

Thanks everyone, I think we have decided! Now the little one has to arrive, hopefully soon :)

OP posts:
Minty82 · 14/09/2012 15:41

I think Nefeli's gorgeous, much prefer it to Lara.

Pasiphae · 14/09/2012 13:07

Yes Nefeli over Lara/Laoura. I find a lot more charming.

libelulle · 13/09/2012 18:56

Nefeli is beautiful!

Original poster
Mum8 · 13/09/2012 18:47

Lovely name ;-)

OP posts:
Bubblebell1 · 13/09/2012 17:52

mum it's my cousins name :-)

Original poster
Mum8 · 13/09/2012 13:58

Thanks Pasiphae, will you prefer Nefeli over Lara/Laoura as well?

OP posts:
Pasiphae · 13/09/2012 13:34

I prefer Nefeli.
Maite, or should it be Maïté, feels a bit "old" to me.

Original poster
Mum8 · 13/09/2012 10:54

Thanks Bubblebell, is Nefeli your name? Is that why you are biased? :)

OP posts:
Bubblebell1 · 13/09/2012 10:23

Nefeli but I am biased.

Beautiful name Grin

swooosh · 13/09/2012 02:48

I LOVE laoura

TudorJess · 12/09/2012 22:26

I like Lara, as nickname for Larissa.

gymboywalton · 12/09/2012 22:15

please please please call her lara

mathanxiety · 12/09/2012 22:13

If Laura or Lara both are very nice imo.
If pushed I would say Lara. It's not exceptionally popular. I see it as a classic name that grows with you throughout your life, and has a nice Russian/East European feel to it (a bonus for me).

Original poster
Mum8 · 12/09/2012 21:10

Only to add that DH likes Lara or Laoura, either of these two versions

OP posts:
Original poster
Mum8 · 12/09/2012 21:01

Thank you everyone for all feedback.
We are between Nefeli and Lara now, second one DH's favorite, which one do you like most between these two? Is Lara very common?

OP posts:
redpanda13 · 12/09/2012 13:28

I know a Maite born in this country to Spanish parents. It is short for Marie Theresa though. She pronounces and (after many times her friends learned to pronounce it) My-tay.

littlebluechair · 12/09/2012 12:45

I think Maite would just end up as Matey.

Piffpaffpoff · 12/09/2012 12:44

There is a Nefeli in DS's year, I think it's a lovely name.

WhatYouLookingAt · 12/09/2012 12:42

Maite would never forgive you if she's growing up in England. Trust me, a lifetime of "how do you spell it? Mate with an I in the middle? Really? Are you sure?" and always always having it said wrong when they are reading it....its not fun.
No-one will ever get it right without being told seventeen times

aufaniae · 12/09/2012 11:14

Oh, sorry, I'm thinking of it at May-ee-tee.

I like Ma-ee-teh too, but on reflection, Nefeli has the edge for me I think.

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