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Baby names

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Original poster

New Name... How would you pronounce it?

156 replies

elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 11:46

Heya!

My baby girl is due in January, and I wondered what you all think of the name Emmalia, and how you would pronounce it.

I'm not as keen on the emphases in the classically-pronounced name 'Amelia', but I love the name pronounced Emma-LEE-ah. Does this come across in the spelling Emmalia?

I know it doesn't really exist, but I think it's just so pretty!

Thank you so much :)

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AwaAnBileYerHeid · 11/08/2021 17:09

@Muma1992 oh I see. Maybe a regional thing, I've never heard folk adding R onto the end of Emma.. or any other word that doesn't actually have an R in it.

Mpsister · 11/08/2021 16:47

I'd say Emma Lear. But I don't like it. Sorry

mathanxiety · 11/08/2021 16:41

I would pronounce your proposed spelling Uh-MAH-lee-uh.

Unless you spell the name Emma-Leah you are going to hear a lot of 'Emily', 'Emilia', etc.

Would you consider Emmalena? Too like semolina perhaps...
Emmaline?

Or if you like Emmie/Emmy, just call her that.

Enough4me · 11/08/2021 16:23

It will be shortened to Em very quickly in school, it's a bit clunky as a full name.

MessyLifeCleanHouse · 11/08/2021 16:17

If you wanted em-ay-lia then I would remove one of the m’s

MessyLifeCleanHouse · 11/08/2021 16:16

I first read it as EMMA-LIA

Balonzette · 11/08/2021 15:35

I know an Emalia who pronounces like Emma-leah too.

Balonzette · 11/08/2021 15:35

I'd definitely say it like 'Emma-leah'. Think it's very clear from the spelling that should be spelled like this Smile

Datsandcogs · 11/08/2021 15:34

@pianolessons1

Emma-Leah maybe if you want that pronunciation. Emmalia just looks made up or that you made a mistake on the birth cert. Please don't condemn your child to a lifetime of 'no, not like that, this is how you spell it'.
I agree. Not keen, sorry OP.

Emily, Amalia, Emilia - there are lots of lovely options but they are popular so not unusual.

Kanaloa · 11/08/2021 15:14

If you want it pronounced Emma Leah then Emma Leah is probably the best spelling. Then she’ll have the name you actually like.

katemuff · 11/08/2021 14:47

I know an EmaLia - it's a name in the US with lots of spelling variations. It's pronounced EmmaLeah as you'd expect. There is a short statured woman called EmmaLia who's popular on Instagram too. It's not a made up name any more than all names are at some point made up

Jacketpotato84 · 11/08/2021 14:30

Emm MAR lee a
Id go for
Emma~Leah hyphened for correct spelling of the name you want or
Emaleah
Emmalea different way spelling emily what about:

Emmileah
Nick names
Emma
Em
Mil
Milly
Lee
Leah!

Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 14:19

*I'd pronounce this Emma-Leah. Is that what OP wants?

Malia is a name pronounced Ma-lee-ah I'd say Ops spelling brings in this to the middle. But OP it's clearly a contentious pronunciation, which I wouldn't be keen on!*
Yes! Emma-Leah is exactly what I'm after, thank you.
Totally agree though, I never envisioned this much disparity in the pronunciation!

OP posts:
JoborPlay · 11/08/2021 14:16

@Nextchapterofmybook

Why not spell it Emmaleah?
I'd pronounce this Emma-Leah. Is that what OP wants?

Malia is a name pronounced Ma-lee-ah I'd say Ops spelling brings in this to the middle. But OP it's clearly a contentious pronunciation, which I wouldn't be keen on!

SleepingStandingUp · 11/08/2021 14:15

I'd go Emilya Emilyah

Agree with the others, your spelling reads M R lea

JoborPlay · 11/08/2021 14:13

@Firstbornunicorn

Eh - Mali - Ah
This.

I hadn't made a connection with Amelia until you brought it up.

Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 14:08

@Norabuzz

My daughter is an Emilia. Her friend is nursery was Emelia, which her family pronounced Em-Ma-Lee-ah. They were both nicknamed Emmie in any event Smile. I'm clearly biased, but the spelling Emelia looks much prettier to me than your proposed spelling.
They're both lovely names, and Emmie is adorable! Good idea, Thank you Smile
OP posts:
billiebeeme · 11/08/2021 14:07

@Firstbornunicorn

Eh - Mali - Ah
I'd pronounce it like this.

If I'm honest I def wouldn't go for it, you'll be forever correcting the pronunciation and the spelling!

TinyTear · 11/08/2021 14:05

Amalia is also a real name and probably more what you are looking for??

Norabuzz · 11/08/2021 14:04

My daughter is an Emilia. Her friend is nursery was Emelia, which her family pronounced Em-Ma-Lee-ah. They were both nicknamed Emmie in any event Smile. I'm clearly biased, but the spelling Emelia looks much prettier to me than your proposed spelling.

Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 14:04

@Nextchapterofmybook

Why not spell it Emmaleah?
Yes, I could do - although I can envision it incorrectly being pronounced 'Emily'. This name is such a minefield haha
OP posts:
Terhou · 11/08/2021 14:03

I'd pronounce that EmmAYlia. I'd pronounce Emilya as EmmEELia. You are never going to get the pronunciation you want with that spelling, and an awful lot of people will assume it's Emilia or Amelia.

Nextchapterofmybook · 11/08/2021 14:00

Why not spell it Emmaleah?

Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 13:55

@Ahwelltoobad

Congrats on the baby to come, how lovely for you! Bear People will have different opinions on everything reg the baby, starting now, but you as parents will know what's best for her! Flowers
Thank you!! Grin very true indeed. Thank you Smile
OP posts:
Ahwelltoobad · 11/08/2021 13:54

Congrats on the baby to come, how lovely for you! Bear People will have different opinions on everything reg the baby, starting now, but you as parents will know what's best for her! Flowers

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