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Baby names

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

Original poster

Zélie

36 replies

Flutterflybutterby · 04/12/2021 00:29

Another thread has reminded me of this name and now I want you opinions on this too Grin

I first heard the name when reading about St Zélie Martin and I love it. (Her real name was Marie-Azélie, but she went by Zélie). It's pronounced similarly to 'zay-lee'. What do you think?

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DotDotDotDotDot · 07/12/2021 20:41

This name is so so beautiful!

FlamingoDust · 07/12/2021 18:41

Love it!

daisypond · 06/12/2021 12:20

I think it’s nice. I know one, who’s French.

SantasGoodLittleGirl · 06/12/2021 06:10

It's lovely. Never heard it before.

Lady1576 · 06/12/2021 05:53

Lovely name. I know someone who named her daughter that and I’ve only heard the correct pronunciation being used. It reminds me of the German word ‘Selig’ which means blessed and so that makes it even prettier for me. Shame to lose the accent….

Original poster
Flutterflybutterby · 06/12/2021 05:46

@TIPosy

Hi, I’m French. This name became quite popular a bit over 10 years ago around the time Zélie Martin was put forward to be made a Saint, which brought attention to it. It is quite a Parisian name, upper class and traditional with a bit of a modern twist. People would say zehlee or zehlie, it doesn’t make too much difference from a French perspective. It’s a lovely name.
Thank you @TIPosy! So nice to hear about this name from a French point of view, and really happy to see that you like it! Smile
OP posts:
TIPosy · 05/12/2021 19:25

Hi, I’m French. This name became quite popular a bit over 10 years ago around the time Zélie Martin was put forward to be made a Saint, which brought attention to it. It is quite a Parisian name, upper class and traditional with a bit of a modern twist. People would say zehlee or zehlie, it doesn’t make too much difference from a French perspective. It’s a lovely name.

KateInHappyland · 04/12/2021 20:56

I think Azélie sounds better.

WashableVelvet · 04/12/2021 20:32

Gorgeous. Very Catholic.

FartnissEverbeans · 04/12/2021 20:24

I love this name! I think in the UK it would be pronounced Zaylie.

There was a child in Will & Kate’s wedding party named Zalie

Synchrony · 04/12/2021 19:57

I'd have said Zehlee.

redgirl1 · 04/12/2021 19:50

My kids have a book with girl called Zelie in it. It’s a french book and my french husband pronounces it zehlee (like someone up thread mentioned).
I don’t think it’s difficult to pronounce its just like Nellie but with a z.
I think it’s very pretty but I would drop the accent if you live in U.K. and don’t have a regular connection with France.

pucelleauxblanchesmains · 04/12/2021 19:44

When I saw this thread title I thought "St Thérèse's mum" and I was right! I'd assume you were quite Catholic but it's a very pretty name.

FTMbg · 04/12/2021 19:25

It's nice but I'd probably use Azalea with Zaylee as nickname to make life easier.

Cotswoldmama · 04/12/2021 19:25

I would think it was pronounced to rhyme with Ellie

romdowa · 04/12/2021 19:21

Sounds almost like kayleigh but with a z. I think its a very pretty and unusual name.

sleepyhoglet · 04/12/2021 19:17

Gorgeous

FindingMeno · 04/12/2021 17:22

Beautiful and unusual

IVflytrap · 04/12/2021 17:18

I think it's a very pretty name, however if you're in Britain the accent on the e will probably get lost in various databases. In terms of pronunciation, I don't think anyone will get it badly wrong: at worst she may get Zellie or Zeelie on occasion. In England at least, people will probably default more to saying Zaylie than Zélie as it's a more common sound in English. But I don't think there's the possibility of it being frequently wildly mispronounced.

Fwiw, though, I think Azélie is even nicer than Zélie. Smile

Mangozesty · 04/12/2021 16:43

I know a Zelie, they pronounce it Zee Lee. Nice enough.

WeasilyPleased · 04/12/2021 15:40

Oh I love this. Is it ok if I run it past OH? We're struggling for a girl's name too!

MolkosTeenageAngst · 04/12/2021 14:21

I read it as Zeh-Lee not Zay-Lee although realise now that the accent on the e changes it to the ay sound like with café. However I imagine it will be mispronunced by a lot of people when they read it but once they’ve been corrected it’s easy enough to remember.

If you like the name go for it.

UndeadSlut · 04/12/2021 14:20

Absolutely gorgeous, I love it!

pinkhousesarebest · 04/12/2021 14:17

I know two Zélies. It's such a lovely name. Surely it is impossible to pronounce ot wrongly?

Strawing · 04/12/2021 14:17

@TatianaBis

It’s more Zeh lie than Zaylie - and that’s the problem - it’s a pretty name but the British will mangle it.
Yup. Though I admit it reminds me of an unpleasant money- and man-mad teacher in Charlotte Bronte’s Villette.
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