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

Name wobble....

68 replies

Sall23 · 08/04/2021 10:08

I had been pretty set on calling my little girl May, but my husband has just said that he now also likes the name Phoebe, which he had previously vetoed. Our other DD is called Nia. So, now I'm having a bit of a wobble - which name:

Phoebe or May?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Erictheavocado · 09/04/2021 08:29

May is a beautiful name. Not very well used as a first name, so hopefully won't be loads of them in the same class at school, yet not so uncommon as to be 'odd'. In my head, it conjures up an elegant, intelligent woman , successful in whatever life path she chooses.
Leila and Phoebe are not attractive names IMO, either to look at or to hear.

Original poster
Sall23 · 09/04/2021 08:07

@YoniAndGuy

Not Leila - you'll get some saying Leela and some Layla. Also - it's a bit naff.

Phoebe is really nice. It definitely goes better with Nia than May.

May is - just dull, super super dull.

How about Zoe?

I tend to agree about Leila, as pretty as it is.

Zoe is nice, but I don't love it.

I do worry that May might be a little boring, but is it really that dull? I feel like it's pretty unusual as a first name. Cute on a little girl, but suits a woman. Short, simple, unfussy, quite classy - reminds me of spring.

OP posts:
YoniAndGuy · 08/04/2021 23:28

Not Leila - you'll get some saying Leela and some Layla. Also - it's a bit naff.

Phoebe is really nice. It definitely goes better with Nia than May.

May is - just dull, super super dull.

How about Zoe?

DragonPoop · 08/04/2021 23:15

Phoebe 100%

Tillygetsit · 08/04/2021 23:08

May is short, sweet and classy. I love it as a first name. You can't move for Phoebes round here.

17caterpillars1mouse · 08/04/2021 20:44

I really love May as a first name, and I don't think it matters how popular it is as a middle name as how many children's middle names do you really come to know.

I like Phoebe too but May is more unexpected which I like. I only know one May, she's early 30s and very stylish and successful

finallychangedmyusername · 08/04/2021 20:43

I have a strong dislike for Phoebe (it's a horrid sound, Feeeeeee Beeee and makes me think of amoeba) but really like May (short, sweet, classic). So, May!

dottiedaisee · 08/04/2021 20:38

Phoebe...lovely name.

ElizabethTudor · 08/04/2021 18:50

I like Laila. Goes well with Nia.
Not keen on May. It’s a bit dull in comparison with Nia.

Dietcokeaddiction · 08/04/2021 18:47

I prefer May.

AnxiousAnnie86 · 08/04/2021 17:34

@SweetAsANutt would that not be the same with may and any middle name? I didn't notice it before but do now x

Stevearnottsbeard · 08/04/2021 17:31

Love may 😍

SweetAsANutt · 08/04/2021 16:04

[quote AnxiousAnnie86]@Sall23 I like May best! Not heard as much as a first name either! Could you do middle name pheobe x[/quote]
May Phoebe doesn't sound right. It's like you're asking her to do/have something.

AnxiousAnnie86 · 08/04/2021 14:12

@Sall23 I like May best! Not heard as much as a first name either! Could you do middle name pheobe x

Sexnotgender · 08/04/2021 14:05

Phoebe.

Drunkenmonkey · 08/04/2021 14:03

I like all of them. Helpful! Grin

I actually find May as a first name quite refreshing and it goes well with Nia. I can really imagine sisters Nia and May.
Phoebe and Laila are both beautiful names but you don't like Laila so you shouldn't choose it.
He isn't so keen on Phoebe so I think you should go with May.

Original poster
Sall23 · 08/04/2021 13:22

Thanks for your comments everyone. I think I may be more confused now, ha! 😄

OP posts:
Original poster
Sall23 · 08/04/2021 13:19

@CaffiSaliMali

I think May goes better with Nia than Phoebe. Presumably they'll be Nia and May rather than May and Nia given Nia is the eldest. Also, if pronounced correctly, Nia doesn't sound that much like the end of mania as Nia ends what an 'a for apple' sound and mania with an 'uh'

What about Mai (pronounced My) which is Welsh for May? That goes nicely with Nia as they're both Welsh, vowelly and short.

So you like May and DH likes Phoebe and Leila - what else do you like? Seems only fair that you both have two names each in the running.

Mai is a good suggestion, I'm just not that keen on it.

We live in England, so Nia does tend to get pronounced Nee-uh, as well as the more correct Nee-ah.

I like Phoebe / May and then Leila, he likes Leila, May and then Phoebe...

OP posts:
BellaVida · 08/04/2021 12:47

I like May and Phoebe.

Would Maisie be an alternative?

KeepSmiling89 · 08/04/2021 12:39

Someone mentioned May as a middle name so how about Phoebe May?

AnyaMoondial · 08/04/2021 12:36

I think May is lovely ( this spelling).

Phoebe is good too though.

KirstenBlest · 08/04/2021 12:30

The Mae spelling is awful

mamablondie33 · 08/04/2021 12:12

May but the Mae spelling is nicer IMO.

Phoebe doesn’t really go with Nia, Nia & Mae are a lovey combination!

Flymetothestars · 08/04/2021 12:10

Phoebe
Love it

KirstenBlest · 08/04/2021 12:02

Phoebe. No keen on May.