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Baby names

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

Original poster

How would you pronounce ...

138 replies

iwantknowyouropinion · 21/09/2021 20:03

Mey/Mei

Would you pronounce it like May or My?

Which one do you prefer if you had to choose?

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Summerfun54321 · 21/09/2021 21:13

I know a May spelt “Megh”. It’s a male Hindi name but if you don’t care about traditions or confusing people then throw that one into the mix surely 🤷‍♀️.

Hesma · 21/09/2021 21:08

I’d pronounce it ‘May’ but if I wanted to use that name I’d spell it ‘Mae’

Bobsyer · 21/09/2021 21:06

You can make up anything you like for a nickname Confused. No one will spell it Mei or Mey if they haven't a) haven't seen it written down or b) don't know her given name.

One of mine is called Nafe, for example, for Nathan. There's a story behind it which I won't share for fear of outing myself further!

WaitinginVain · 21/09/2021 21:02

Of your choices I would go for Mei. Agree with PPs that Mey looks a bit odd.

I think it's quite nice actually but imagine a lot of people will pronounce it as MY.

lljkk · 21/09/2021 21:01

I would have guessed 'Mei' was said like 'May'

Is this an imminent baby or are you just future planning hypothetically?

ButterflyBitch · 21/09/2021 20:55

Mei I would pronounce as May and as others have said would assume is of Chinese origin. Mey doesn’t even look like a name to me.

Mymapuddlington · 21/09/2021 20:54

If it’s a nickname does it matter?!

WoozySnoozy · 21/09/2021 20:54

Perhaps I should have mentioned that it will be a NICKNAME for a longer name that starts with the letters M-E (hence our preference for the E spelling).

Yes this would have helped. What's the longer name?

Chunkymenrock · 21/09/2021 20:53

The first May, the second My.

FuckingFlumps · 21/09/2021 20:53

Perhaps I should have mentioned that it will be a NICKNAME for a longer name that starts with the letters M-E (hence our preference for the E spelling).

So you're not calling her May you are calling her a name starting with the letters M and e and giving her the nickname May? You sound like you're making this way more complicated than it needs to be.

MatildaIThink · 21/09/2021 20:53

I would pronounce both May, but I think both are awful.

Whinge · 21/09/2021 20:52

Perhaps I should have mentioned that it will be a NICKNAME for a longer name that starts with the letters M-E (hence our preference for the E spelling).

If it's a nickname then the spelling doesn't matter, as she'll likely be known as teacup, bunny, macaroni, Ra Ra or some other obscure but affectionate name.

Mymapuddlington · 21/09/2021 20:52

May or her undoubtedly longer form ‘May M-E-Y yes I know, very unusual. Nope still pronounced May’

jmh740 · 21/09/2021 20:51

May and I would assume Chinese or Asian heritage

NigellaSeed · 21/09/2021 20:50

Never seen so much attitude on a baby name thread 🤣

Meirou90 · 21/09/2021 20:50

May. I pronounce my username as such.

Also finding it amusing how upset people are getting over a completely inoffensive name. Have you lot not got anything better to get wound up over? 🥱

Original poster
iwantknowyouropinion · 21/09/2021 20:48

@FuckingFlumps

There are different spellings for most names so that's not a concern of ours.

Of course there are different spellings but if you're trying to go to such lengths to avoid one spelling and the end result is that people default to the spelling you couldn't use for some reason anyway why not just use the spelling people are going to end up using and save the poor child a lifetime of explanations?

Perhaps I should have mentioned that it will be a NICKNAME for a longer name that starts with the letters M-E (hence our preference for the E spelling).
OP posts:
Puffalicious · 21/09/2021 20:45

Does it reflect your heritage or are you just trying to be different? I hate that shit. Just choose a name you like and like the spelling of.

My DC have names related to their heritage (both parents) so have an excuse for people not from here asking how to spell it. Otherwise it's just a bit daft.

Whinge · 21/09/2021 20:43

@EileenGC

I prefer the Mei spelling and would pronounce it May.

It's a Chinese name - why are people saying it's made up?

I don't think anyone is saying Mei is made up. Those mentioning made up / unique names are referring to Mey.
SevenOldLadies · 21/09/2021 20:43

I like Mei, but Mey just looks like a typo.

I’d pronounce both of them as “May”

Flufferty · 21/09/2021 20:43

How about Mae?

hairybakers · 21/09/2021 20:42

Mei or Mae is nice. Both pronounced May. Is that the pronunciation you were going for?

EileenGC · 21/09/2021 20:41

I prefer the Mei spelling and would pronounce it May.

It's a Chinese name - why are people saying it's made up?

mafted · 21/09/2021 20:40

My or meh?

You can't really get the A in May with an E in English.

Veeeeeeeee · 21/09/2021 20:40

My niece is called Mei and it is pronounced 'May'.