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Baby names

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

Original poster

Moses or Musa

32 replies

5secondstilltakeoff · 09/03/2015 15:00

We were thinking of naming our son Musa which is the Arabic version of the name Moses. Ive always loved that name but I'm finding people's reactions to it quite off putting. A lot of non Muslims Ive told the name to seem to have difficulty saying it which makes me worry about how it will be for my son in the future. I have thought about giving him the English version of the name however Moses is quite an unusual name in the UK and I think people will assume certain things. What do you think? Musa, Moses or go back to the drawing board altogether?

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Original poster
5secondstilltakeoff · 09/03/2015 16:31

What are your thoughts on the name Moses. I think its cool but do you think it sounds weird. Honest opinions please. I would rather hear it now before i decide.

OP posts:
Instituteofstudies · 09/03/2015 15:54

I think if you have always loved the name, that's what you should go with. It's not difficult to spell/pronounce. Looking at the way it's spelled, pretty much tells you how to say it. But then I live in a very multicultural area where the name wouldn't stand out or be considered tricky to say.

Original poster
5secondstilltakeoff · 09/03/2015 15:54

Or am i just being paranoid like my dh and dsis think.

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Original poster
5secondstilltakeoff · 09/03/2015 15:39

Qwebec I'm not sure why some people have struggled with saying it. My midwife pulled a weird face when I told her and asked me what it meant. I just don't want ds dealing with that. I thinks its probably cause they have never come across it before. There are not that many Muslims where I live. Its pronounced like Moo sa.

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Original poster
5secondstilltakeoff · 09/03/2015 15:30

Thanks Dilys. I have always loved the name Muse but I worry about giving him such a conspicuous name. I have a muslim name that is quite cross cultural (think along the lines of Sara) and I think it probably does make things easier for me. I just worry that Moses will also be perceived negatively. I also like the name Adam but we already have 2 in the family.

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Qwebec · 09/03/2015 15:21

How do you pronounce it? Unless there is a sound in it that people don't know and is tricky to master, it only takes a few tries to get it right.

DilysDerwent · 09/03/2015 15:11

I like the name Musa (I knew one with the spelling Moesa) and I think that if you are Muslim or have Arabic heritage you should go with it. I would assume a Moses was Christian or Jewish. Anyone worth knowing will make the effort to check how to pronounce your child's name.

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