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

Alicia Pronunciation

56 replies

JenniferLJ · 10/10/2022 15:39

I have named my daughter Alicia
Wanting it to be pronounced as Ah-Liss-ia so I changed the spelling to Alyssia as in Alyssa but ending in ia. I thought this spelling was ok but when I registered her birth the registra said it is spelt Alicia and said the way I chose to spell it would be confusing and was wanting me to change it. I thought Alicia was Al-lee-sha like Alicia Keys but realised it can be pronounced the other way after googling.

Can people give me honest opinion on how they pronounce the name and if it is confusing?

Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Luredbyapomegranate · 12/10/2022 09:35

In the UK Alicia is pronounced Ah-liss-ee-ah

Alicia pronounced Alisha is a US pronunciation. It was briefly popular in the UK because of a singer I think (?) but it sounds dated now.

I think the registrar is right re younique spellings being a bit pointless and annoying for your daughter. I’d just spell it Alicia. It’s very pretty.

SpinningFloppa · 11/10/2022 17:34

I would say it as ah lee sha

IntentionalError · 11/10/2022 17:34

I know a couple of Alicias, both very middle class and both pronounce their names Ah-LISS-ee-uh.

Youredaft · 11/10/2022 17:28

@YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators yes, this is the Spanish pronunciation. My Spanish family say it like this, however in England my family say ah-lee-see-ah.

Hohofortherobbers · 11/10/2022 17:28

degsydoodoos · 10/10/2022 17:17

Ah-Li-See-Ah

This is how I've always pronounced it.

YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators · 11/10/2022 17:24

Ah-LI-thia

cakepopsandcoffee · 11/10/2022 17:21

Alicia has several accepted pronunciations. It’s one of those names you could pronounce either way. I’ve heard “ah-lee-sha”, “ah-liss-see-ah, “ah-lee-see-ah” and “ah-lish-ah”. It’s one of those names that are difficult because I never know how to pronounce. Ah-lee-sha seems to be the most common pronunciation followed by “ah-liss-ee-ah”. I think you should go with Alyssia or Alissia just to stay on the safe side.

Dreamingcats · 11/10/2022 07:43

I have pronounced it as Ah-LISS--ia since reading Malory Towers as a child. That's always my default unless told otherwise.

I'm aware of the Aleesha pronunciation but never met anyone who uses it. Personally I hate it.

yerdaindicatesonbends · 11/10/2022 06:48

That’s ah-lee-see-ah to me. Any ah-lee-sha is spelt Alesha. I know an Alicja. That’s definitely not Alesha but people still pronounce it that way!

DeeDeeDaisy · 11/10/2022 06:47

I would pronounce it A-liss-ia and much prefer it like that. I think most people would think the same but there might be the odd person down the line who pronounces it wrong. But they would only have to be corrected once!
I prefer the Alicia spelling but surely you can spell your baby's name however you choose and it's not the registrars business! Rude!

Soubriquet · 11/10/2022 06:41

Alicia could be either way

A-Leesh-ah or A-liss-sia

I would have spelled it the way you wanted to tbh to ensure it’s pronounced how you want it

AmIThatMam · 11/10/2022 06:36

Al-iss-ee-a as in Alicia silverstone

IStandWithMaya · 10/10/2022 22:51

I would pronounce Alicia Ah-LEE-see-a

PinkButtercups · 10/10/2022 21:32

Mammed · 10/10/2022 15:46

Alicia- Al-Lee-sha

Alyssia - A-Liss-ia

Yep this.

I have a cousin called Alicia and it's Al-Lee-Sha

StopStartStop · 10/10/2022 21:27

Ull-ee-shur.

caitlinrose · 10/10/2022 21:19

Is a-liss-ee-a the most common UK pronunciation? I'm curious. Maybe it has changed since there've been lots of stars called Alicia pr. a-lee-sha from the US (Alicia Keys etc.)?

The UK-Alicias I've met here were all a-lee-sha with only two exceptions, an ah-lee-see-ah and an a-lish-a, but never a-liss-ee-ah.

I quite like a-liss-ee-ah I must say as I do love Alice.

caitlinrose · 10/10/2022 21:13

I have only heard Alicia as a-lee-sha in English speaking countries with two exceptions, an ah-lee-see-ah and an a-lish-a. I do believe a-lee-sha to be the most common pronunciation in the UK as well as in the US. I have also seen it as Alisha.

Alyssia is fine and I would say it as a-liss-ee-ah.

I don't believe that a-liss-ee-ah is standard for Alicia. From my experience the European (non-English speaking pr.) is ah-lee-see-ah, not a-liss-ee-ah. So there's a difference.

For ah-lee-see-ah I say Alicia is the best spelling but she will still correct people a lot.

For ah-liss-ee-ah I would spell it Alyssia.

I guess you could also say Alicia as a-liss-ee-ah if you wanted to. It also makes sense as it is close to Alice. But I have never heard it like that. Only a-lee-sha and ah-lee-see-ah and I think a long time ago I met an a-lish-a.

justmewithmylifetoday · 10/10/2022 20:06

Whoops. Try again ..

I know someone called Alyssia. Spelt just like that. I don't think it's odd. Makes more sense to spell it as it sounds imo. 🙂

justmewithmylifetoday · 10/10/2022 20:05

I know someone ca

RubertRoo · 10/10/2022 20:03

I love the spelling Alicia. Would always pronounce it A-Liss-ee-a
The people I know called it pronounce that way. Beautiful name.

Foxtrot101 · 10/10/2022 19:50

I know 3 British Alicia's. All alis-ee-a.
I know 1 Alyssia who isn't pronounced alis-ee-a and I always trip up on how I'm supposed to pronounce it, I think she is Aleesh-ee-a

TokenGinger · 10/10/2022 19:08

Daughter, I guess. I’ve never heard of it used for a boy (yes I haven’t forgotten Alice Cooper!).

Yes, definitely daughter 🤣 Good spot! It's being a boy mum - I instinctively call everybody's kids son 😂

Youredaft · 10/10/2022 18:22

@Gr33ngr33ngr4ss Im a Salfordian Alicia! 😂 I have had Aliciorrr, Alishor, Alisia.. loads!

Im Ah-lee-see-ah though 😊

RuthW · 10/10/2022 17:45

Alicia is said a-liss-ee-a

simbobs · 10/10/2022 17:22

DS flatmate Alicia pronounces her name A-lee-sha. Not how I would have said it if I had seen it written.

Swipe left for the next trending thread