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Baby names

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

Original poster

Girls name - is this too weird?

58 replies

Teapig · 21/02/2013 21:27

We like the name Safia but is it too out there?

I know it sounds very similar to Saskia or Sofia but funnily I'm not keen on either of those.

Is it too out there?

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Ohhelpohnoitsa · 26/02/2013 21:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sleeplessinderbyshire · 26/02/2013 21:35

my first thought is that it's the name of the beautiful woman whom Elias Cole marries after he helps the authorities to do away with her first husband Julius in Aminatta Forna's amazing novel "The Memory of Love" but I doubt many people will have read that novel Grin

Viviennemary · 26/02/2013 20:23

I think it sounds quite a nice name, though I haven't heard it before. But I think that there will be a need for endless explanations about spelling and pronunciation. But there is nothing strange about it at all.

maidmarian2012 · 26/02/2013 17:04

teapig it was pronounced Sa fee ya x

OooShiney · 25/02/2013 16:21

There is a Saffia at toddler group, it's really pretty name, never would have thought it odd at all.

WeAreSix · 25/02/2013 11:13

My DD has a Safia in her class, pronounced Saf-ee-ya. She also has a girl called Saf-e-ya (much shorter e sound) but I'm not sure how that one is spelt. There's a Sophie and a Sophia in her year group, must've been popular that year!

monica77798 · 25/02/2013 11:07

I think Safia is quite nice - but I agree that it might produce difficulties in pronunciation.

Original poster
Teapig · 25/02/2013 07:58

maidmarian, how did she pronounce it? Was it Safia to rhyme with mafia? That's the way I'm saying it but have heard alternatives.

OP posts:
maidmarian2012 · 24/02/2013 20:15

I have an old friend called Safia. Shes lovely :)

Flossy78 · 24/02/2013 20:12

I have a friend called Safia. I met her at Uni and no one ever had a problem pronouncing her name. We call her Saf mainly. I think it is a lovely name Smile

nectarini1983 · 24/02/2013 20:05

I like it. Out there's good. Who wants to blend in anyway. ....

Original poster
Teapig · 24/02/2013 15:47

Thanks for all the really helpful comments. I still really like it. Not sure though on the spelling. There seem to be a few variations: Safia, Saffia, Safiyah and Safiya. I like the spelling Safia as it's nice and simple but I wonder if people could mistake it for a mispeslling of Sofia.

OP posts:
MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 23/02/2013 00:52

I like the idea of Sapphira, with Safia as a nick name.

PixelAteMyFace · 23/02/2013 00:43

My DH has a cousin called Safia, pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable.

TheBuskersDog · 23/02/2013 00:31

I wouldn't bat an eyelid if I saw it on a class list, but admittedly would probably be mildly surprised when I realised the child was white European, as that isn't what I'd be expecting. It is pronounced to rhyme with raffia.

PixelAteMyFace · 23/02/2013 00:11

Pretty name, not too complicated - go for it if you like it.

Those who think you shouldn`t use a name from another country if you have no connection to it must find naming their children a bit problematic, as most names have crossed international boundaries these days.

Maybe my parents gave me a French name because of William the Conqueror Confused

mrstowers · 22/02/2013 21:22

I know a little girl called Safia, pronounced Sa-fee-ya. Her family has no connection to the country the name orriginates from but no-one has ever commented on this. In fact everyone comments on what a lovely albeit unusual name it is. She gets called Saffy as a nn which I think is very sweet.

wigglesrock · 22/02/2013 20:04

When I called my daughter Sofia it caused a few "whats her name?" because of the way it was spelt but it took about 2 mins to correct people and it only happens very occasionally. It took my Mum about 100 goes to get it Grin

Mum - whats the capital of Bulgaria? Sofia
who's the queen of Spain? Sofia
what do you call your first grandchild? Sofeyea, Sofya, oh feck I can't get it Grin

wigglesrock · 22/02/2013 20:00

I think its lovely, really nice. Go with what you love, really really do.

I have a Sofia Grin and I'm Irish Shock

MrsDeVere · 22/02/2013 19:15

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shoppingtrolley · 22/02/2013 19:09

Like Safiya. She might be half Indian. But mainly she is a Londoner!

exoticfruits · 22/02/2013 19:04

Yes -it is.

Original poster
Teapig · 22/02/2013 19:03

shopping, out of interest how does she spell and pronounce it?

OP posts:
shoppingtrolley · 22/02/2013 18:08

Also she always gets called Saff -- which is v pretty

shoppingtrolley · 22/02/2013 18:07

I know someone called this never gets mixed up it's a gorgeous name!

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