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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts please - too weird (girls names)?

34 replies

inuinnit · 08/09/2017 08:07

Our first child, a girl, is due in December.

Hubby and I have very different views on names as he has super English, super traditional name and I have an unusual name which reflects fact I'm mixed race.

Kid will be 1/2 english, 1/2 mixed Asian so not enough of anything to make it make sense giving it a traditional name from any particular culture.

We are really struggling but two names we are thinking about are:

Mandalay - pronounced 'man-dah-lay'
Inle - pronounced 'in-lay'

Both are places in Myanmar which mean something to us as it's where we got together Wink.

But haven't seen either used as names before and was wondering if they are a bit too weird/if there's anything we're missing in terms of negative associations. Thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks!

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thepatchworkcat · 08/09/2017 08:24

I like Inle. And Mandalay is ok too.
I'm a teacher in a very multicultural area and we come across names from different cultures all the time - some of them might seem 'weird' or unusual at first but people soon get used to a name. I wouldn't let it stop you using a name you like.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 08/09/2017 08:22

I really like Inle

SquitMcJit · 08/09/2017 08:20

A quick google tells me that I remembered wrongly and the house in Rebecca is Manderley not Mandalay. However, I agree that Mandalay definitely sounds like a place rather than a person's name ( also makes me want to sing " Nellie the elephant"...). Inle is nice

Modestandatinybitsexy · 08/09/2017 08:18

I really like Inle, I had assumed In-lay was the pronunciation so I don't think it's too much of an issue.

It's also a short name so "Hi I'm Inle I-N-L-E" on the rare occasion someone has to write a name down isn't a big deal.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 08/09/2017 08:14

Mandalay has the Rebecca connection for me too, so very much a place rather than a person name. I like Inle though. As with all unusual names, people will not know how to pronounce it the first time, then you'll tell them and they will.

NaughtyElephants · 08/09/2017 08:12

Mandalay is a hotel in vegas and I would always think of that 1st.

Inle sounds beautiful the way you pronounce it and lovely as a girls name...but you and she would have a lifetime of correcting pronunciation from people assuming in-lee. I think I'd still use it though, unusual, pretty and has special connection for you.

Argeles · 08/09/2017 08:12

I prefer Mandalay out of the two for the way that it sounds and looks. I also think you'll have less of a problem correcting people with pronounciation than with Inle.

I think it's a lovely idea, and is unique and special to you and your partner. Go for it!

SquitMcJit · 08/09/2017 08:12

Autocorrect- Daphne du Maurier

SquitMcJit · 08/09/2017 08:11

Mandalay makes me think of the house in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurice - " Last night I dreamt I went to Mandalay again..." (or something like that is the famous first line of the book)?

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