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Baby names

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

Original poster

Zélie

44 replies

Izzygrey · 14/09/2018 05:49

Hello! I recently discovered the name Zélie. It's a French name (and a Saint's name). Possibly short for Azélie which is the French word for Azelea. I've fallen a bit in love with the name as it is old yet unusual, and I think it's quite soft and sweet sounding. I just wanted to know what you all thought? What would you picture if you heard this name? Thank you! 😊

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Tryagaintomorrow · 19/10/2018 17:02

Our DD has a similar sounding name to azelie but in Italian, her nn begins with a z also.
We went with Elizabeth (but that does also have personal meaning to us)
Remember it needs to go with her full name not necessarily her nn.
The only time I see middle names is when the full name is written officially somewhere!

PulcinoPio · 19/10/2018 13:49

PS, I think Azélie is even nicer!

PulcinoPio · 19/10/2018 13:47

I think it's a gorgeous name, but if you pronounced it the way a French person would, with equal stress on both syllables, it sounds a bit like "silly".

Sorry to rain on your parade!

Sunflower321 · 19/10/2018 08:17

Lovely name! Definitely needs the accent.

Raines100 · 18/10/2018 22:23

Keep the accent! That's how I knew how to pronounce it!

Mrsnjg · 18/10/2018 21:14

Its on my shortlist! I love it. I would pronounce it Zee-lee. Go for it!

Kokeshi123 · 17/10/2018 00:43

I think it's one of those names that is pretty in French but a lot less pretty when spoken with an English accent--which will turn it into "Zelly" to rhyme with belly and jelly, basically.

I think Azalea is nice in English.

NeedSomeTimeInTheSunshiiine · 16/10/2018 22:34

I've never heard of it before - I love it!

Agustarella · 15/09/2018 17:36

Interesting - French Wikipedia seems to think that Zelia/Zélie is more widespread in Britain than France! Also doesn't mention de Lussan who I thought was the only famous Zélie. I think you're onto a winner OP, a genuinely nice name which isn't overused.

fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zélie

FartnissEverbeans · 15/09/2018 17:18

Love love love it! I’ve liked this name for years. I think it’s associated with Catholicism somehow but I can’t remember?

I’d keep the accent but I quite like Zalie spelling too. I haven’t seen that before.

Original poster
Izzygrey · 15/09/2018 14:57

Wow thanks for all your replies! I'm so happy to see such positive responses. And some great middle name suggestions too... There's quite a few I that I love! And yes I'd definitely keep the accent. Smile As for it getting mispronounced a lot, I should have mentioned that we live abroad so even if I used a common English name she'd probably have the same problem Grin

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 15/09/2018 13:15

Use the accent or people will say Zeelie.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 15/09/2018 09:28

Never heard of it but I really like it!

Zelie Juliet
Zelie Madeleine
Zelie Lucette

DramaAlpaca · 15/09/2018 01:04

What a lovely name.

Marcipex · 15/09/2018 00:55

It's very pretty. Keep the accent, or spell it Zalie.

Yellowsunredroses · 15/09/2018 00:36

Zelie Alice

SweatyFretty · 15/09/2018 00:22

Bit weird if you're not French.

incorruptibledream · 15/09/2018 00:15

Isn't it a bit Zelie the Elephant

Agustarella · 15/09/2018 00:09

Like Zélie de Lussan? Why not, it's unusual but nice.

Cosmoa · 14/09/2018 23:01

My OH really wanted to call out daughter Azelea (although I'm glad we didn't as it wouldn't have suited her at all!) and I liked the idea of Zélie as a nn. Although I'd have spelt it differently.

LeeMiller · 14/09/2018 15:42

I would avoid anything flowery , cute or ending in an ee sound as I think that could push it over into tweeness, and anything French (unless there is a French connection).

Zélie Elizabeth
Zélie Rosalind
Zélie Martha
Zélie Ann
Zélie Frances
Zélie Matilda
Zélie Louisa
Zélie Charlotte

EthelThePiratesDaughter · 14/09/2018 12:14

I would go for quite a traditional and longer middle name for a bit of contrast.

Zélie Josephine
Zélie Elizabeth
Zélie Charlotte
Zélie Katherine
Zélie Francesca
Zélie Madeleine
Zélie Rebecca

EthelThePiratesDaughter · 14/09/2018 12:11

One of the flower girls at Harry and Meghan's wedding was a Zalie. I assumed it was pronounced like Zaylie, so almost the same as Zélie.

I really like it.

TacoFriday · 14/09/2018 10:17

Make your surname her middle name?

Zelie Ann

(z-a)

toastedbeagle · 14/09/2018 10:14

Never seen that name before but I love it! I liked Azalea too but Zélie much prettier. I can see it being anglicised to Zelly but that's quite a nice name too!