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Baby names

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

Original poster

Mahnoosh or Mahgul?

40 replies

Babynamespring · 20/01/2022 10:19

Mahnoosh: eternal moon
Mahgul: moon flower

This is my current shortlist, which one do you prefer? I’m guessing pronunciation wise Mahnoosh will be better…

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RestingStitchFace · 22/01/2022 14:36

Agree that Mahnoosh is nicer. If I had encountered one for the first time, I think I wouldn't immediately be sure of make or female. But that's not necessarily an issue. Lovely sound, lovely meaning.

chilliplant634 · 22/01/2022 09:11

Yea, I think Maheen and Mehreen are much better options. They still sound close to the original even when pronounced with a British accent.

Anna10309 · 21/01/2022 21:48

I think Maheen sounds unisex bur Mehreen sounds so beautiful.

Original poster
Babynamespring · 21/01/2022 20:46

@chilliplant634 I’ve got Maheen & Mehreen on my list now which I think are a lot better, can’t think of any weird associations with those.

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Original poster
Babynamespring · 21/01/2022 20:45

@chilliplant634 Absolutely agree with you on those points!! The Mahboob thing made me laugh so much!! Grin, I would have never made that connection because in my mind I’ve always said it with an Urdu pronunciation! Yes Qurrat-Ul-Ain is a big no no in the UK! I didn’t realise Mahgul / Mahnoor were that bad until posting about it, I’m so glad I did, it’s helped so much to get opinions!

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chilliplant634 · 21/01/2022 20:14

I agree meaning is important. But I wouldn't let it trump pronunciation.

I remember a friend who had the name Qurrat-ul-Ain. Very pretty meaning but impossible to pronounce. At school they broke the name in two for the school register I.e. First name "Qurratul" Last name "Ain". The teachers were all going around calling her "kuratul". It sounded awful.

I really liked the meaning and story behind the boys name Anas for my son. I didn't choose it in the end because I knew everyone will probably call him Anus instead.

For me, Mahgull and Mahnoor are in the same category as above. I still remember my history teacher laughing and telling me about a boy he went to school with who was called "Maaboob" (Mahboob)

I think we do have to pay extra special attention to pronunciation and spelling in this country for the sake of our children. You don't want them hating their own name.

user1493494961 · 21/01/2022 19:22

I assumed for a boy.

Original poster
Babynamespring · 21/01/2022 12:48

Thanks for all the suggestions on here!
@chilliplant634 I do get where you’re coming from, ideally the name should cover both meaning & ease of pronunciation etc and i don’t think the options I came up with were working on the pronunciation side of things sadly but were beautiful in meaning.
@CatsRCute agreed!

OP posts:
CatsRCute · 21/01/2022 09:06

Actually I disagree @chilliplant634. Meaning to the name is everything in our culture!
You can definitely have a beautiful name that isn’t old fashioned, that won’t alter in pronunciation and also have a beautiful meaning.

chilliplant634 · 21/01/2022 08:40

I'm sorry OP but I think they are both terrible. No-one will be able to pronounce them correctly with the right amount of softness. They are Pakistani names after all and quite old fashioned ones at that. I mean this kindly, but I don't know any Mahnoosh or Mahgull who isn't over 50 or 60. It's a bit like the name Shahnaz. I mean everyone has an auntie Shahnaz.

Mahgul will sound more like maagull (a lot more masculine sounding) and Mahnoosh will sound more like Maanoosh when pronounced by an average Brit. I saw your last thread. Out of your list Maheen would have been the best. The pronunciation is less confusing and most accurate and you get to have the moon meaning you seem to want.

I wouldn't focus on meaning of the name so much. You have to really think about how it will be read and pronounced by most people.

CatsRCute · 21/01/2022 07:19

Glad!

I haven’t seen your other thread, but if you’re going with M/flower theme, can I suggest:
Minaal - flower from heaven
Eshal- flower from heaven
Zunairah - flower from heaven
Madeeha - praiseworthy
Mawiya- old name.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 20/01/2022 21:12

I’m sorry when I saw the thread I assumed both were boys names. I prefer Manoosh to Maghul; I wouldn’t be sure how to pronounce Maghul and something about the gh in the middle seems clunky and masculine to me.

I like Farimah even if you say you’ve gone of it, it sounds more feminine to me. Are any other names on your shortlist?

JaneJeffer · 20/01/2022 21:07

Mahgul sounds nicer. Mahnoosh sounds too much like Maynooth to me being Irish.

GreyGoose1980 · 20/01/2022 21:03

I don’t like how Mahgul sounds although the meaning is lovely. Mahnoosh sounds pretty.

yummytummy · 20/01/2022 20:55

op i saw your other thread too how about mehnaz, mehreen? also mehvish is nice

Original poster
Babynamespring · 20/01/2022 20:52

Thanks for all these really useful comments!! @CatsRCute that’s a really good point!!
I think I’m going to rule out Mahnoosh based on the fact that it’s usually a boys name & also the Manhoos association has put me off!

So that leaves me with Mahgul… I’m not keen on Farimah or any of the other names on my original list anymore. I might need to keep looking if Mahgul is too out there. Mahgul has a bit of an old-school, poetic charm which I love but maybe I’ll keep looking & try to find something else. Some great suggestions on this thread and my other one :)

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Kudupoo · 20/01/2022 19:18

Mahnoosh

rooarsome · 20/01/2022 19:11

Mahgul reminds me of the place, Maghull, which houses Ashworth hospital

CatsRCute · 20/01/2022 19:07

Do you have a wide Pakistani circle? Because Mahnoosh could easily taken the mick out of by calling her Manhoos (unlucky/evil). If you don’t, then it’s fine, doubt you’ll ever have that problem.

Anna10309 · 20/01/2022 19:00

I think both sound like boys names. In fact Manush is a very common boys name where I'm from. Also the variations of Manish, Manesh are all male.

ElenaCouch · 20/01/2022 18:59

Mahgul is my preference.

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/01/2022 18:58

They do both sound like boys names.

Any other options?

SittingOvation · 20/01/2022 12:41

I prefer Mahnoosh but wouldn't know if boy or girl.

Midlander88 · 20/01/2022 12:18

Manouches, pronounced same as Mahnoosh is the French word for Romani gypsy, I think a lot of people will know this if they're into music because of Django Reinhardt, gypsy jazz musician who was a Manouches.

So I would go for the second

Velvetscrunchy · 20/01/2022 12:16

I haven’t heard either of these names before but have heard Mahnoor etc so would have known it’s a girl’s name.
Pronunciation of the H in “Mah” is a little problematic for a British accent but they’ll get it!

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