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Baby names

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

Original poster

What are your opinions on the name Safiya?

82 replies

Willowson · 29/04/2017 00:04

Hello,

Safiya is the top contender for our baby girl.

What do you think?

Thanks :)

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QuietNameChange · 01/05/2017 12:08

It's fine.

Imo there's nothing unusual about Safiya.
I actually think it's a bit boring, tbh. Sorry... But Sophia/Soffia/Safiya/Safye/Saphira/Safi. I know that all these names aren't just different versions of the same name and that they don't sound the same. But they are all somewhat similar. (Too similar, in my personal opinion, tbh...)

TotoToe · 01/05/2017 08:19

I love it!

DrinkMilkAndKickAss · 01/05/2017 00:05

It looks very pretty written down and how I'm reading it in my head sounds lovely although I'm not sure how correct I am!

Is it pronounced like Afia with an 'S' at the beginning or with the emphasis on the second syllable, like Sophia? Either way it's a good choice imo

sherbertlemon17 · 30/04/2017 11:35

I love it OP. It's our number one choice if this little one is a girl. Good choice Smile

For those asking, it is pronounced Saff-EE-ah. But we are unsure how we will spell it yet as my concern was people either pronouncing it like Sapphire or thinking we are just trying to be unique. Our little one will be half Arabic, half British so need to find a happy median.

C0untDucku1a · 30/04/2017 11:34

faffandahalf that made me laugh!

Safiya is a lovely and not at all an unusual name. Ive known a few! But i live and teach in multiethnic towns.

Mrsknackered · 30/04/2017 11:24

It was also on our list if we had had a girl, we are not Arabic/Muslim.

Mrsknackered · 30/04/2017 11:24

I really like it. I know one spelt like this and one that is Safia. Much prefer it to Sophia.

Lemondrop09 · 30/04/2017 10:55

I think it's really pretty (especially if pronounced saf-ee-ya)

MarcelineQueen · 30/04/2017 08:04

Beautiful name

Rockaby · 30/04/2017 07:58

I think it's beautiful.

MollyHuaCha · 30/04/2017 07:48

Safiya is pretty. I would expect to pronounce it Saf-EE-ah (unless corrected).

OP, how will it be pronounced?

YokoReturns · 30/04/2017 07:18

Beautiful name OP - please call your little girl Safiyah!

I live near Chipping Norton and I know lots of girls with Arabic names used to teach in NW London

People on here are a bit thick when it comes to names from different cultures.

StevieNicksRhiannon · 30/04/2017 07:17

Oh, and congratulations on your baby girl, whatever name you decide upon Flowers

StevieNicksRhiannon · 30/04/2017 07:12

"...My UKIP loving neighbour would have a frigging field day with it like she did when she heard the name of my youngest DD."

Well, causing consternation to people proudly voicing similarly prejudiced opinions is reason alone to love the name!
(Sadly, such attitudes toward certain names far too often indicate deeper attitudes about the cultures commonly using those same names...).

Blush Sorry, OP.

Safiya is a gorgeous name. I've only heard it pronounced Saf-EE-a, but Saf-eye-a is nice, too.

Can't see why it should cause any more pronunciation issues than Helena/ Hel-AYN-a?

Or any more spelling issues than Katharine/ Katherine/ Catharine/ Catherine variations?

Pemba · 30/04/2017 05:09

I wasn't really aware of this name before, but it's lovely. I like Sophia, but I think Safiya is even nicer! I suppose because it sounds a bit like 'sapphire' as well, so that's another nice association.

Dixiestamp · 30/04/2017 01:18

Gorgeous name!

User2468 · 29/04/2017 16:29

It's nice though!

User2468 · 29/04/2017 16:28

Is it Saf-e-ah or Saph-i-uh?

Lots of scope for confusion

Annahibiscuits · 29/04/2017 15:50

Maybe that is true where you are perky...I know at least 10 Safiyas under the age of 15 (various spellings)

TitaniasCloset · 29/04/2017 15:44

Its a beautiful name I love it. I get annoyed with the snootiness on mumsnet especially regarding names from other cultures. Not everyone wants to call their child Emma or Jane.

HoratioNightboy · 29/04/2017 15:41

I've seen the name a lot, although never actually heard it said aloud. How is it pronounced? I always read it as SAFF-ee-ah, but realise I'm probably way off the mark!

MrsPeelyWaly · 29/04/2017 15:03

The name is generally associated with the older generation and dead relatives. It's very rarely used in its own right and people do ask if it's Sofiyah or Safiyah.

Whether people accept this or not doesn't bother me at all.

Annahibiscuits · 29/04/2017 13:12

To suggest people (children) are 'weighed down by a name is pretty bonkers. Especially one as common place

MrsPeelyWaly · 29/04/2017 12:35

Where do some of you live

I'm an Arabic speaker who's lived in the Middle East for 40 years with her Arab Muslim familiy and I base my opinion on that.

JunebabyT · 29/04/2017 11:12

Lovely name and I think it's perfectly well known and not confusing