Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby girl name

38 replies

blossomberry · 18/03/2021 21:28

We are currently love the name Fiadh (pronounced Fee-Ah) for our baby girl but I’m not sure if people will have problems with pronunciation. What do you think? Or any other girl name suggestions?
We also like Florence, Halle and Romy

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
TheRedFox · 19/03/2021 18:12

@blossomberry

Not keen on Fiona but thank you for the suggestion. Love the meaning of the name Fiamma (little fiery one)
No I'm not either but thought it might work as an abbreviation 😂
KirstenBlest · 19/03/2021 17:48

Beer has 2 syllables

KirstenBlest · 19/03/2021 17:46

Nia sounds like Near in some accents. Mia like Mere

Fiadh sounds like Fear or Thea in some accents.

If you love the name Fiadh, use it.

Of the 3 other names, Florence is the best.

DriftGames · 19/03/2021 11:26

Never, not energetic!

DriftGames · 19/03/2021 11:24

My daughter is a Mia. We pronounce it 'MEE-AH' and we've energetic had any alternative pronunciations.

Original poster
blossomberry · 19/03/2021 11:19

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think we will have to drop Fiadh sadly. My husband is Irish and he suggested the name, and surprisingly we both loved it but I think the pronunciation will cause too many problems.

OP posts:
Chilldonaldchill · 19/03/2021 09:39

I think I say meer with two syllables.
And beer though not emphasising the second. More like BEE-er.
But I would say Mia MEE -er.
I only know one Mia and one Nia but they both say their names like that too!

TatianaBis · 19/03/2021 09:13

I can't hear any difference in the way I say them. I don't have a "London" accent - I wonder if that makes a difference?

Neither do I.

For me the difference is first that Mia has two syllables, but meer has one; and secondly emphasis: Mee uh is like Mee ya without the y.

Unless you render beer Bee uh, which some accents may, the sound is distinct. Mia derives from Italian, Spanish, Scandi. Mama mia is not pronounced mama meer.

foodiefil · 19/03/2021 07:59

What about Thea ? Theadora if you want a full name

foodiefil · 19/03/2021 07:58

@TatianaBis

Love Fiadh.

Don’t hear Mia pronounce Mear so not convinced by that argument.

That's exactly how I pronounce Mia/Mear 😐
NameChangedForThisFeb21 · 19/03/2021 07:50

In my accent Fear is Fee-uh so it would seem a strange choice to me.

Tia, Mia, Sophia, Leah, Nia, Pia etc all decent alternatives.

Or Phoebe or Fiona

pinkpinecone · 19/03/2021 07:47

Will know that should have said

pinkpinecone · 19/03/2021 07:46

I think you will have issues with pronunciation. Very few people will no how to pronounce it and she'll get called all sorts.

Romy is lovely, it's one of my favourite name. Florence is nice enough but a bit boring. Halle I'm not keen on. How about Nia?

Druidlookingidiot · 19/03/2021 07:41

I’d stick with Florence. Life can be hard for a kid with an unpronounceable name.

Enko · 19/03/2021 07:39

Forgot to add what about Nia if you like the sound but worry about the F sound

Enko · 19/03/2021 07:37

I love Fiadh i dont think the pronunciation is a issue people get used to what you want. I live in the SE and would say and hear tear said to rhyme with ear and I would not say Fia that way more Fee Ah

Also you hear names said differently loke Sophia So Fee uh or So Phi Ah

I have a dd with an Irish name people get used to it .

Redsquirrel5 · 19/03/2021 01:29

Fiadh I haven’t heard that before even though I have some Irish friends. It is lovely. My nephew has a Gaelic name which I love.

People will pronounce it when they have heard you. Strangers won’t because the don’t pronounce Niamh correctly.
I know a little Florence which is lovely and it isn’t shortened yet.

DramaAlpaca · 18/03/2021 23:50

The thing is, the name Fiadh/Fia is an Irish, as in Irish language, name.

The 'ah' sound at the end of an Irish name has a much more definite, strong sound than English names with the same ending. It's almost emphasised, which most English people don't do.

Using Mia as an example, I as an English person will pronounce it 'MEE-uh', to rhyme with 'fear'.

An Irish person will say 'MEE-ah', but they will pronounce 'fear' quite differently due to their rhotic accent, more like 'FEE-urr.

I do find accents fascinating Smile

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 18/03/2021 23:46

Phia short for Sophia is perfect. Not Halle it’s too much like Halitosis.

Chilldonaldchill · 18/03/2021 23:36

@BackforGood

Once again, I can't hear any difference between Mee-uh and Meer, both sound the same as Mia to me. (which would rhyme with fear, and beer, and here)....... isn't language interesting ? Grin
It really is. I'm in London and would absolutely pronounce Mia to rhyme with fear, tier, beer, clear, sheer etc. I can't hear any difference in the way I say them. I don't have a "London" accent - I wonder if that makes a difference?
BackforGood · 18/03/2021 23:31

Once again, I can't hear any difference between Mee-uh and Meer, both sound the same as Mia to me. (which would rhyme with fear, and beer, and here)....... isn't language interesting ? Grin

Enough4me · 18/03/2021 23:30

Freya has a similar sound?

Original poster
blossomberry · 18/03/2021 23:25

Thanks everyone. I think I’m most worried about people pronouncing it as fear or thinking it sounds like fear.
We still have a while to decide so hopefully we can find something we love just as much

OP posts:
TatianaBis · 18/03/2021 23:08

Meer may be how it is rendered in certain accents but it’s not the standard pronunciation. It’s a Scandi and Italian name - both pronounced Mee- uh.

I live in London and there are a lot of Mias here - never heard it pronounced Meer.

funnyoldonion · 18/03/2021 23:04

My friend has a daughter Sophia who she calls Fia