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Baby names

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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

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mathanxiety · 10/10/2022 17:21

I would pronounce it A-LISS-ee-a.

It's pronounced Aleesha in the US, big surprise to me when I moved there..

HauntedPencil · 10/10/2022 17:18

I would definitely say Alicia as you want it pronounced and I prefer that spelling too

degsydoodoos · 10/10/2022 17:17

Ah-Li-See-Ah

orphanblack · 10/10/2022 17:14

I had the same issue on the spelling. Initially we wanted to register as Alyssa - but instead went for Alyssia. Have had no pronunciation issues from others and no regrets!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/10/2022 17:12

I know two people called Alicia.

One is in her mid 20s and pronounces it Alis-ee-ah (starts like Alice).
One is 10 and pronounces it Aleesha, like Alicia Keys. I'd never heard the Aleesha pronounciation before Alicia Kets became famous.

I'm just Alice. I always wanted to be Alicia, but with all this confusion I'm sometimes glad I'm not!! It's bad enough getting people to spell my Irish surname right!

Zib · 10/10/2022 17:09

What a lovely name. I would spell as Alicia your pronunciation. It's a classical name, and this is the UK pronunciation.

GabrielAgreste · 10/10/2022 17:07

TokenGinger · 10/10/2022 16:18

I went to school with two Alicias, both pronounced A-leesh-a. My SIL is called Alecia, also though pronounced A-leesh-a.

My brother's friend's son is called Alicia, pronounced A-liss-ia but in my head, I always read it as A-leesh-a.

For it to be pronounced the way you'd want, I'd also spell it Alyssia.

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

yikesanotherbooboo · 10/10/2022 17:04

I would pronounce Alicia as A liss sia .
I associate Aleesha pronounciation with the US .

Sandysandwich · 10/10/2022 17:03

I know people who say Alicia A-liss-ee-a, A-leesh-a and A-lee-cee-a.

I would normally guess A-liss-ee-a, and I would say Alyssia the same way.

Gr33ngr33ngr4ss · 10/10/2022 17:00

Aliss-ee-uh.

Alicia pronounced Aleesha doesn't sound quite right or as nice to me. It feels a more modern way of saying it and, to my ears, it sounds like a lazy way! I hear it in a really strong Salford accent in my head! So it sounds like Aleee-Sho (o, as in sock).

Whendovescry03 · 10/10/2022 16:53

We have an Alicia at work and everyone pronounces it differently. I've been meaning to ask her how it should be pronounced as she never corrects anyone. I think Alyssia looks like a nice spelling and no doubt as to how to pronounce it.

As for the registrar, I know a few people who have their names spelt strangely (two of them due to parents who admitted they can't spell) and none of them were corrected at any point!

MingoDringo · 10/10/2022 16:41

Ah Lee see ah.

I would say the other spelling that you mentioned as Ah lee shh ya

ChocolateSpreadOnToast · 10/10/2022 16:40

Alicia is Alice-ee-ah.

Alisha is pronounced Aleesh-ah.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 10/10/2022 16:39

I pronounce it ah-leesh-a (but all said quickly as one word not individual syllables, if you get me!)

35965a · 10/10/2022 16:37

Ah-leesha

JustMaggie · 10/10/2022 16:34

Ah-lee-see-ah

NCFT0922 · 10/10/2022 16:20

A-liss-ia

for me, Alesha is the spelling for A-Lee-sha

TooHotToRamble · 10/10/2022 16:20

I'd pronounce Alicia, Al ee sha. As in Alicia Keys.

I agree alyssia is a better spelling if you always want people to pronounce the other way.

Not sure what it's got to do with the registrar. Are you not in the UK?

Youredaft · 10/10/2022 16:20

I’m called Alicia (Spanish version of Alice) - we pronounce Ah-Lee-See-Ah like PP has said.

Swampthing55 · 10/10/2022 16:20

A Lee sha unless told otherwise

TokenGinger · 10/10/2022 16:18

I went to school with two Alicias, both pronounced A-leesh-a. My SIL is called Alecia, also though pronounced A-leesh-a.

My brother's friend's son is called Alicia, pronounced A-liss-ia but in my head, I always read it as A-leesh-a.

For it to be pronounced the way you'd want, I'd also spell it Alyssia.

Dovana · 10/10/2022 16:16

Alicia is just one of those names with different accepted pronunciations.

Aleesha
Alissia
Aleesia

I would spell it the way you first chose. It’s nicer than Alyssa and it’s not a huge deal to correct people on the pronunciation of it comes up.

Yeiscray · 10/10/2022 16:14

It’s AH-LEE-SEE-AH

KirstenBlest · 10/10/2022 16:13

I always think of it as rhyming with Patricia and Trisha, but know an Aleesha, Alisha and Alissia, all written as Alicia.

Paslaptis · 10/10/2022 15:56

Which country was this in?

Some do have fixed lists of names and will not allow any variations without prior approval, but that typically has more to do with spelling than pronunciation. If your country of residence (or where your baby was born and registered, if different) does have a list, perhaps "Alyssia" is not on it, but perhaps you can petition to have it added? The rules vary by country.

I've heard Alicia pronounced as "ah-LEE-see-ah" (more common in UK English) and as "ah-LISH-ah" (more common in North American English). I would pronounce Alyssia as ah-LISS-ee-uh or ah-LISH-uh, though.