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Baby names

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

Original poster

Cosima or...

35 replies

CuckooCachoo · 03/01/2020 20:50

Thoughts please on Cosima for a girl?

Also... wait for it... Merrily? (My guilty pleasure name Wink)

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Peterspotter · 05/01/2020 14:20

I’d pronounce it as COZ- e- ma. Because that’s how I heard pronounced by some one Italian.

Would get shortened to COZ, cozzie ..

It is a pretty name but I think the ss would quickly get replaced with zz

NextdoorNeighbourIsATwat · 05/01/2020 14:13

Love Cosima OP

Poppydaisys · 05/01/2020 14:07

Love Cosima. I know a German one who pronounces it CO sima.

MrsMummyBx · 05/01/2020 04:05

Love Cosima! Lovely well to do name. Not keen on Merrily though (or any ‘feeling’ names) - my middle name is one and I’ve never loved it

MiniGuinness · 05/01/2020 03:32

Cosima is lovely. Really underused and cool. Merrily is an Amish housewife.

AlliKaneErikson · 05/01/2020 03:29

It makes me think of Cosima Liszt/Wagner. It’s fine - not a massive ‘fan’ but I don’t dislike it either.

username1724 · 04/01/2020 19:37

I went to school with a Merrily and she was quite a miserable character.. didnt pull it off well! Cosima nn Mimi is lovely

Happyandglorious · 04/01/2020 19:10

Love Cosima.
Congrats

daisypond · 04/01/2020 06:28

Pronounced COZ-ee-ma. The single S is always more like a Z in Italian, the difference between casa and cassa. Just as we say cosmos- same roots. The Orphan Black character has the stress wrong.

Astronica · 04/01/2020 05:03

Cosima is a lovely and distinctive choice. Merrily is fun!! but only for the middle spot.

NoSauce · 03/01/2020 23:56

Merrily is daft. Cosima is lovely.

Littlepond · 03/01/2020 22:59

Oh I love Cosima!! I love Merrily too, or Merryn, or Meredith nn Merry?

user1493494961 · 03/01/2020 22:56

Don't like either.

TatianaLarina · 03/01/2020 22:39

Pronunciation varies according to location and language, nothing to do with classical origin, which I agree is irrelevant - but I’m not the one who brought it up.

The name is Italian, that it’s pronounced incorrectly on a transatlantic show isn’t surprising given American language mangling of European names - like Exayvier for Xavier.

Flicketyflack · 03/01/2020 22:26

Personally I do not like either.
Cosima and it's pronunciation will cause issues for the child and Merrily is not a name but an adverb.

Sorry.

Soawesome · 03/01/2020 22:25

I think most people would pronounce it COSS i muh. I've met a couple over the years and that's certainly how they did.
I prefer Merrily but I'm not too keen on that either if I'm honest.
I adore Meredith and Merryn though.

Veterinari · 03/01/2020 22:21

The point is that pronunciation varies according to location - as you would expect for a name that has classical roots - like Aleksander, Sofia etc.

The origin is pretty irrelevant to the op’s Query unless you’re determined to derail. There’s more than one pronunciation and unless the OP states her preference it’s tricky to comment accurately

TatianaLarina · 03/01/2020 21:59

The origin is Greek - Cosmos, but the names Cosima and Cosimo are Italian. (It’s says that in the link if you read it).

ParsleyPot · 03/01/2020 21:57

Cosima is lovely

Veterinari · 03/01/2020 21:57

It’s actually Greek
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosima

mackerella · 03/01/2020 21:52

Cosima is often pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable, at least in Italy and Germany! It makes me think of Cosima Wagner, and also Nigella Lawson's daughter, who I think is nicknamed Mimi.

I like Merrily, too - are you a fan of Phil Rickman, OP? Grin

TatianaLarina · 03/01/2020 21:50

It’s not Co SEE ma. It’s COSz ima - it’s Italian. Not exactly like the ss in boss - it’s a little bit more zeddy.

Veterinari · 03/01/2020 21:45

It would be more like to be shortened to Sima as that’s where the emphasis is. Certainly not cossi the emphasis is not on the first syllable

Veterinari · 03/01/2020 21:43

Cosima is pronounced co-SEE-ma
Like the orphan black character. Very cool name

FrazzledCareerWoman · 03/01/2020 21:41

Both are awful imo. Sorry!

Cosima reminds me of the smug married husband on Bridget Jones who was called a Cosmo, except worse.