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Baby names

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Original poster

Zoe or Zoey

80 replies

dreamingofyellowandnavy · 16/05/2020 23:26

Am sure this must have been done before but I went and did a search and nothing came up. We both like Zoey/Zoe but can't decide on the spelling. I like Zoe and he likes Zoey. I think Zoey is too America but then Zoe does look like it would rhyme with Joe. So I just want to get an idea of your thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to reply!

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BlueGreenYellowRed · 26/05/2020 17:16

Zoe, toe and canoe - 3 words that end in "oe" that are pronounced completely differently

Zoë and Noël - 2 words that contain "ë" that are pronounced completely differently.

English is a mongrel language & common usage and understanding is more important than pedantic rules.

Edenember · 26/05/2020 16:38

Zoe x

Pemba · 26/05/2020 16:31

You'd have to be pretty ignorant to pronounce Zoe to rhyme with Joe or toe. It's so well known. Yes Zoe with the little dots (correct terminology??) is more correct but I don't even know how to get it on my keyboard. I'm sure many people don't. What happens with birth certificates, passports etc? Genuinely interested.

Zoey however looks completely wrong. Still sounds beautiful, but seems a mistake written down.

Grufallosfriends · 26/05/2020 16:22

Zoe might be pronounced as Joe or Toe. I much prefer Zoë. Looks more 'correct' and makes the pronunciation crystal clear!

christmasbiscuits · 26/05/2020 14:03

Zoe

Grufallosfriends · 26/05/2020 13:29

Zoë

Carrie7469 · 26/05/2020 11:59

Zoë

BlueGreenYellowRed · 26/05/2020 11:58

Zoe for sure. Or Zoë if you want but I think the dots just add unnecessary complexity because everyone knows how to pronounce Zoe. & plenty of other names have the same sound without the dots, such as Phoebe, Penelope & Daphne.

Whatsyourflava · 20/05/2020 14:21

Did you make a decision @dreamingofyellowandnavy

Lavenderblues · 20/05/2020 13:59

Zoë is the nicest spelling imo.

FizzyGreenWater · 20/05/2020 13:57

Zoe.

Zoey just looks silly and made up, or worse, trying to do something 'more yoonique!' with the absolutely lovely, ancient name Zoe.

helpmum2003 · 19/05/2020 13:29

Zoe

peperethecat · 19/05/2020 13:27

Zoe is beautiful and classic. Zoey is a faddy Americanisation which will date.

BessMarvin · 19/05/2020 11:47

StealthPolarBear

BessMarvin how is it pronounced? I've always assumed it rhymed with gooey

Tbh I've always assumed it's just a strange spelling of Zoë. I now can't think if I've heard it said out loud.

TyroSaysMeow · 18/05/2020 11:31

Absolutely, flowery. I just have an exceptionally pedantic Zoë!

00100001 · 18/05/2020 10:41

Yep,it's all about context and the oddness of English.

Otherwise read would ONLY rhyme with mead and never bed.

flowery · 18/05/2020 09:59

”In a world in which the diaeresis is a very, very important part of the name.”

Many people don’t live in that world. But just because they leave off the diaeresis doesn’t mean they think it should be pronounced as if there isn’t one- surely 99.9% of people know it is pronounced Zoë even if they would write it as Zoe?!

Lavenderblues · 18/05/2020 09:41

I've always assumed it rhymed with gooey

Zooey would rhyme with Gooey.

But Zoey would be Zoe (toe) ey imo. So Zo-ee.

HungryForSnacks · 18/05/2020 07:14

Love the name. Strongly prefer Zoe.

Zoey just reminds me of 'gooey' or something

Incrediblytired · 18/05/2020 07:08

Or: Zoie

StealthPolarBear · 18/05/2020 07:06

BessMarvin how is it pronounced? I've always assumed it rhymed with gooey

Lavenderblues · 18/05/2020 07:02

Zoë is correct

Zoe sounds like Toe or Joe!

MrsW2603 · 17/05/2020 23:38

I'm a Zoe and in my 30s, I've never had any problems with people mispronouncing my name to sound like Joe

MondeoFan · 17/05/2020 23:19

Zoe

EskSmith · 17/05/2020 23:10

Zoë

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