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Baby names

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

Original poster

How does Sophia Layla sounds in the UK?

58 replies

Desyme · 24/04/2020 14:45

Hello, I am Italian and my partner is French, we like the name Sophia Layla and would like to know how does it sounds in the Uk. Our idea is to give a classic name, that sounds sweet but no vulgar. Can you tell me from a British point of view how does it sound? please be honest, thank you!!

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derenstar · 28/04/2020 13:56

I find it super interesting that so many posters associated a foreign/ arabic origin name as not classic or chavvy.

This is one of reasons I normally avoid the baby names board, anything that isn’t deemed to be stereotypically English/British is either chavvy or pretentious. I’ve actually seen people making fun of names held by family members on here simply because they're not deemed to be normal. I have a view on what’s behind this but I’m too tired to care. I only broke rank because I have a vested interest in this particular set of names!🙂

We actually spell our daughters name Leila too because we wanted pay homage to the origin of the name but she does get a surprising number of people mispronouncing it as ‘Leela’ or ‘Lyla’ frequently so this is something you will need to be aware of OP if you choose this variant. Since she could speak, we’ve thought her to always correct people who mispronounce her name because we feel it’s important to her sense of self and identity.

Xenia · 28/04/2020 11:40

Yes, Leila would be better. However I prefer as I said the old Christian / royalty names such as Anne, Mary (or Maria for the Italian influence and she was the mother of God after all).

Lausch95 · 28/04/2020 10:48

Leila is better IMO

peperethecat · 28/04/2020 09:07

I think it's a nice name but I'm not so keen on the Y in Layla.

I think Sophia Laila or Sophia Leila would look nicer.

Ditheringdooley · 27/04/2020 20:15

Rude Susie. Being a chav is about how you present and what manners you have (or don’t have).

I find it super interesting that so many posters associated a foreign/ arabic origin name as not classic or chavvy.

derenstar · 27/04/2020 18:55

I also think Layla Sophia sounds far better but then I am biased as I have one. :)

pilates · 27/04/2020 18:51

A bit harsh susie

susiemiller734 · 27/04/2020 18:28

If u nam her Sophia Layla she'll grow up to be a chav. Definitely, don't name her that

Original poster
Desyme · 27/04/2020 15:11

Thank you so much for all your feedback! Much appreciated

OP posts:
Ditheringdooley · 25/04/2020 17:05

Sophia isn’t an arabic name, regardless of what that website says. You might get arabs called sophia but it isn’t an arabic name. It has a Greek origin. The closest arabic name to Sophia/ Sophie is Safia. Which means pure(rather than wisdom, for Sophia).

Astronica · 24/04/2020 23:36

Sophia Layla is a really beautiful name and I can't see anything wrong with it at all. Sophia Grace is a much more boring name, doesn't have the same charm at all. Not too many 'a's at all.

123Dancewithme · 24/04/2020 23:27

Sophia Grace is pretty but a bit boring. Grace is very overused as a middle name.

I would choose another Arabic name for the middle name.

PetraRabbit · 24/04/2020 23:20

Sophia Grace is a very typical girl's name. She's likely to have another one in her class at school. If you're not familiar with British naming trends, recently most girls have May, Grace or Rose as middle names, and Sophia is a top 10 name.

I'd just go with your original choice as it means something to you. Personally I do think Sophie is more elegant and timeless.

Spirali · 24/04/2020 22:56

I prefer Sophia Layla!

Spirali · 24/04/2020 22:55

Sophia Grace is a very usual/common name to come across in the U.K. Nobody will think twice about a name like that.

SultansOfSwing · 24/04/2020 18:39

Sophia Layla but not as a double barrelled first name. First name Sophia with a middle name of Layla. Or vice versa of Layla Sophia.

Dinadarius · 24/04/2020 18:35

This website lists lots of names that are Arabic and English which may help you nod to both your heritages:

www.arabicenglishbabynames.com

It might be nice to know that Sophia is also arabic!

Good luck

Jamiladodger · 24/04/2020 18:13

Very prettySmile but maybe it would be even prettier if they didn't both end in an -a sound.

For example:

Sophie Layla

Sophia Laurel

Sophia Louise

Sophia Lily

Good luck!

userabcname · 24/04/2020 17:09

I think Sophia Layla is lovely! Honestly no one would bat an eyelid at that name here. It's just mn that can't cope with anything even sightly more unusual! I much prefer it to Sophia Grace which is quite bland, given how many people have Grace as a mn.

Ditheringdooley · 24/04/2020 17:08

For those suggesting Grace, it is pretty but it’s crazy common. As a first and middle name.

Ditheringdooley · 24/04/2020 17:07

Pick what you like. I think Sophia as a first name (meaning wisdom) is lovely. Layla or Leila meaning night, or dark eyed would be a pretty middle name and be a nice nod to the dad’s Arabic heritage.

It’s Arabic but not particularly Muslim. Not all Muslims are Arabs and not all Arabs are Muslims.

There is an old collection of stories (I think pre Muslim) where the main character is called Leila so it’s a classical name in the Middle East.

Sophia is quite popular at the moment so she is unlikely to be the only Sophia / Sophie in her class.

Good luck :)

Lausch95 · 24/04/2020 16:57

Sophia is beautiful
Not keen on Layla.
If you must use Layla, put it at the front as Layla Sophia flows better.
Sophia Grace is lovely

MotherOfAllNameChanges · 24/04/2020 16:38

I would pronounce Leila - "Leeelah"

Chaotica · 24/04/2020 16:37

I like Layla Sophia.

Sophia Grace reminds me of a very annoying person I know (not that this should matter to you!).

MotherOfAllNameChanges · 24/04/2020 16:35

Sophia Grace is lovely!

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