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

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 :)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
AwaAnBileYerHeid · 11/08/2021 13:35

Em-ah-lee-ah is how I would pronounce it.

Just out of curiosity, the people who are saying em-ahr-lee-ah...where is the R coming from?

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 11/08/2021 13:34

Emilya will also be pronounced Emilia

Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 13:32

@Fluttrshy

What about Emilya
I like that actually! I didn't think of that, thank you
OP posts:
CloseYourEyesAndSee · 11/08/2021 13:32

The word you have spelled will be pronounced like Amalia, which is an existing name. It will look like you've made up the wrong spelling for Amalia.
If you want Emma-Leah then spell it that way, but it's not really a great name.

Muma1992 · 11/08/2021 13:31

I would say Em-Maaa-Leah

I think it looks very strange written down too. I would go with Emilia (Em-ee-lia) or something like that.

I really think you're setting her up for a lifetime of explaining and spelling her name.

JustMeAndWheatley · 11/08/2021 13:30

Em ah leea

Emma or Amelia much, much nicer imho, and will save her a lifetime of having to spell and explain her name. I grew up with a tricky surname and it was such a headache.

SusannahSophia · 11/08/2021 13:29

I’d pronounce it Em Malia with the emphasis on the Maah on first reading. How about Emmeline as in the suffragette as an alternative?

Retrievemysanity · 11/08/2021 13:28

I know an Annalea so if I saw a name spelt Emmalea I would pronounce it the way you wanted.

Fluttrshy · 11/08/2021 13:28

What about Emilya

DrDetriment · 11/08/2021 13:27

Emm-ahh-lee-ah. But please don't inflict that name on a defenceless baby. It looks horrible written down and sounds even worse. It suggests you can't spell. Amelia is much prettier.

SnottyLottie · 11/08/2021 13:26

I’d pronounce it as Ee-MAAH-lee-ah from that spelling

Largethighsbadeyes · 11/08/2021 13:26

Em ahh lia

bobandhisburgers · 11/08/2021 13:24

I've never heard Emilia pronounced as Ah-mee-lia. It's my niece's name as well. I think Emilia is a beautiful name too though if you do choose it.

interest12 · 11/08/2021 13:22

Em-AHH-lia

RhonaRed · 11/08/2021 13:20

I went for em AAL ee ah before I read your version.
It will cause a lifetime of explanations and errors. It's so like other names that there will be that confusion of similar, familiar forms that someone with a very unfamiliar name won't get iyswim.

Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 13:20

@bobandhisburgers

I don't pronounce Emilia as Em-meee-lia. It's Emi-mil-ia where I'm from. Emma-Lia & Emi-mil-ia sound exactly the same to me. Emmalia isn't the name you think it is. Its to do with vowel/consonant structure.
To be honest I quite agree, but unfortunately it is seldom pronounced this way - most baby name websites suggest it is pronounced Ah-meee-lia. Which is a shame else I certainly wouldn't wish to use any 'unusual' spelling, I love the spelling 'Emilia'.
OP posts:
MrsMop1964 · 11/08/2021 13:19

I just input Emmalia into youtube and found 2 videos where the person was called Emmalia.Both pronounced it the way the OP wants, but both were American. (I won't share a link because these are kids' home made videos, in one case only 14 views, bless'em)
Perhaps a UK v US english issue.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 11/08/2021 13:19

At first I thought you were going with 'Heya!' which would have been a bit odd and pose some difficulty when she met her friends!

I would pronounce the name as Emma Liar

Thefaceofboe · 11/08/2021 13:19

Emma-Lee-Ah was my first thought.

bobandhisburgers · 11/08/2021 13:15

I don't pronounce Emilia as Em-meee-lia. It's Emi-mil-ia where I'm from. Emma-Lia & Emi-mil-ia sound exactly the same to me. Emmalia isn't the name you think it is. Its to do with vowel/consonant structure.

Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 13:06

@WhereTheFuck

Actually OP the traditional pronunciation of the name 'Emilia' is the one you want. (Emilia originally was pronounced to rhyme with Sophia and Dorothea etc). So you could just call her Emilia, but I do think you will still get people pronouncing it wrong
I never knew this! I have only ever heard it pronounced ah-MEE-lia, but that's encouraging nonetheless. Thank you
OP posts:
Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 13:05

@SirSamuelVimes

I think I would pronounce it "Don't".
That's nice
OP posts:
SirSamuelVimes · 11/08/2021 13:05

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

AR ? Where does the R come into it? Grin
Rhotic R.
Original poster
elleaimeejohnson · 11/08/2021 13:05

@bobandhisburgers

Just call your child Emilia and then she will avoid a life time of mispronunciation. Emmalia looks silly.
No, she wouldn't, as Emilia isn't usually pronounced that way. It's usually pronounced Em-EE-lia...
OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 11/08/2021 13:03

AR ? Where does the R come into it? Grin

Swipe left for the next trending thread