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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Am I crazy...? Lilja

39 replies

1horatio · 23/05/2016 11:56

So, I thought we had figured it out, we had 2 top picks and wanted to make the final decision after the birth.

But then I saw the name Lilja and basically fell in love with it. Is this crazy...?

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Original poster

1horatio · 27/05/2016 12:38

It's awesome that Lilja got such a positive feedback :) And thanks for all the replies :)!

If the LO won't be a Lilja all these comments convinced me that she'll at least have a Scandinavian middle name (probably not Lilja, Louisa Lilja or even worse Lilia Lilja would be rather ridiculous).

And my DH thinks a Scandinavian first or middle name would be absolutely brilliant, so yay :)

OP posts:

Terrifiedandregretful · 27/05/2016 12:02

Lovely name. I know a Croatian woman called Lilija.

n0ne · 27/05/2016 11:47

I really like it. Majority of people will be able to pronounce it.

Frrrrrrippery · 26/05/2016 16:02

It's nice and not weird. People won't know how the say it initially but it's easy to learn. I like it.

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 25/05/2016 18:07

Funny isn't it, how changing one letter makes you view a name completely differently?

I think both versions are lovely. I grew up in a Nordic country and know a lot of Liljas, I know a Lilya (another very pretty spelling), and know a little Lilia. It's still unusual over here, but people still know how to pronounce it - I really think you're onto a winner

My middle name is Maija, which I think someone mentioned upthread - nobody ever has trouble pronouncing that either.

Original poster

1horatio · 25/05/2016 17:50

BeautyGoesToBenidorm, I agree, the names make me think of somewhat different people. I imagine a Lilia to be easygoing, extroverted and creative.
Whereas I imagine a Lilja to be focused, a bit calmer and strong.
It's weird how I have a picture of rather 2 different people in my head. Louisa is (imo) somewhere inbetween.
These are just my preconceived notions, obviously. Probably mosty because I've never met a Lilia or a Lilja.

Btw, if the LO is a Lilja and nothing like my preconceived notions that would be obviously perfectly fine (and the same goes for a Lilia or Louisa, obviously)

OP posts:

LilianSmith · 25/05/2016 14:59

I like the name. Lilja sounds very special!

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 25/05/2016 14:13

Although Lilia sounds more delicate and feminine. Lilja to me is a very strong female name.

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 25/05/2016 14:12

At least it ISN'T unique/misspelled - it's a very well established Scandinavian name, as PPs have also said, so I think you could easily use it and nobody could accuse you of being yooneek

Original poster

1horatio · 25/05/2016 11:19

It's weird, I've never really liked unique/misspelled looking names. And now I'm seriously contemplating Lilja (it makes me feel compassionate towards parents that chose an unorthodox version of a name...).

Lilia... It's probably better than Lilja (even though I do love that it means lily in Swedish...). And it's lovey:)
But quite a few people here seem to have known how to pronounce the name.

Or maybe it's just my "hormone addled brain" and I should go back to names I've always loved...
Anyhow, thank you for the answers. :)

OP posts:

Sophronia · 24/05/2016 23:56

My first thought is the film too, but it is a nice name. I prefer Lilia though.

julfin · 24/05/2016 22:46

From the age of about six I wanted a daughter called Lilia

I don't think your version/spelling will be overly problematic.

I think this should replace Miranda in your Top 2. I still really like Louisa.

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 24/05/2016 15:33

VimFuego, I know the film too - it's the first thing I think of when I hear the name Lilja!

It's a beautiful name though. Love it.

Tatiana11235 · 24/05/2016 15:29

Or just go for Lilya. Pretty straightforward imo.

Tatiana11235 · 24/05/2016 15:28

I thought Lil-ya straight away but it is because i was raised up that (Scandinavian) way where names ending with -ja are common. Like Maija for example would read Maya. But having lived in England 10+ years I can see how it might cause some confusion to someone who never came across a name like this.
I know a girl called Liliha. Pronounced Lee-lee-yah. I think the French version Lilia is your best bet as it is hard to misinterpret on mispronounce.

Tanaqui · 24/05/2016 15:25

I would have pronounced it as lilly-a, but I think it is pretty!

Nospringflower · 24/05/2016 15:21

Funny I read it as lil-ja and then Son-ja
Before it said no one would ever say Son- ja

LadyAntonella · 23/05/2016 19:22

I would probably say Lil-yah.

Original poster

1horatio · 23/05/2016 18:27

Yes, there are many Lily names... I've actually always liked the name, but it's just too popular (imo). So we decided that it would either be a Louisa or a Miranda...

And then I saw Lilja and simply fell in love with it.
How would one pronounce Lilia? Lil-ya or Lee-lee-yah? Lee-lee-ah?

(My first language is German, so finding out how a British/English person would pronounce something is a bit difficult. And in cases like this I know from experience to not trust my DH's judgement...)

There's obviously also Lilija or Liliya, but that would be too much (imo)... Plus I really like that Lilja means lily in Swedish.

OP posts:

TeradelFuego · 23/05/2016 17:24

Not heard of it before, but it's nice, and a bit different.

septembersunshine · 23/05/2016 17:15

To be honest I thought you were a little crazy till I read the thread. I though it was a made up, invented kind of name but clearly not! BUT, I do think it's odd looking. I wouldn't know how to say it and written down it looks like a mash up of every Lily type name I know with the odd add on of Ja.

CruCru · 23/05/2016 17:14

It's a very nice name.

ElaeudanlaTeiteia · 23/05/2016 16:54

First association for me would be the film, which is really, really bleak and sad. But yes, it's not exactly well-known.

Lovely name in itself though

Thurlow · 23/05/2016 16:48

It's a really pretty name, but I would be prepared to have to correct/explain the pronunciation sometimes - people may say Lil-ya, but they might also say Lil-ee-a or even Lil-jar

LadyAntonella · 23/05/2016 16:42

I really like it BUT it is a lot like Lily which is quite well used where I live (along with Lila, Layla, Lola). Depends if that bothers you at all.

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