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Baby names

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

Original poster

Clelia for a girl?

140 replies

RedRobintweets · 14/12/2022 13:38

Hey all,

What do you think of this name for a baby girl?

Pronounced as Cleh-Leah , with emphasis on the first syllable.

OP posts:
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Basilthymerosemary · 15/12/2022 19:42

RedRobintweets · 14/12/2022 13:44

Clelia should be pronounced in the beginning with “K” like Cleo, not “S” like Cecilia.

Does it sound that bad…?!

Yes. It sounds that bad.

Sorry OP but it's awful.

WeeOrcadian · 15/12/2022 19:39

Sounds like a medical condition to me

tonsattingforbjudes · 15/12/2022 19:38

louderthan · 14/12/2022 21:43

I always thought it was Greek?

I certainly taught a Greek Clelia (in the UK).

dream28 · 15/12/2022 19:32

I would also add that I prefer Claelia spelling over Clelia.

Olios · 15/12/2022 16:43

astronewt · 14/12/2022 13:41

Really, really awful, and makes me picture female genitalia for some reason.

Same, was my first thought too

RambamThankyouMam · 14/12/2022 22:12

Sounds like a sexually transmitted disease.

louderthan · 14/12/2022 21:43

I always thought it was Greek?

fairycupcakes · 14/12/2022 20:08

Awful, sorry. Sounds like a medical term or STI 😳 or as other PPs have said a miss spelling of Celia

Chooksnroses · 14/12/2022 18:52

astronewt · 14/12/2022 13:41

Really, really awful, and makes me picture female genitalia for some reason.

I was wondering how to say this....or an infection.

Spanielsarepainless · 14/12/2022 18:51

Dreadful. Reminds me of chlamydia.

BlueSuffragette · 14/12/2022 18:48

Awful. Poor child would always have to put people right about how to say it and spell it.

Augend23 · 14/12/2022 18:43

I can get my head round clehl-ya but not cleh-lia.

WoolyMammoth55 · 14/12/2022 18:42

OP, think it's horrid TBH. I do like Cleo though and Claudia.

Figgygal · 14/12/2022 18:38

A total stinker sorry

Mittens1717 · 14/12/2022 18:38

AngelontopoftheTree · 14/12/2022 14:58

I know there's an Irish actress called Clelia Murphy, but other than her I've never heard the name. It's unusual, but not horrible as some on here seem to think. Is it getting a hard time just because they've never heard it and it's not English?

Yes she played Niamh in Fair City, I used to think the name was a typo until she was interviewed and said it was Italian

dancingqueen123 · 14/12/2022 18:31

It sounds odd.

sevenbyseven · 14/12/2022 18:28

It sounds lovely with Italian pronunciation 🙂

Aftersevens · 14/12/2022 18:11

Notanotherone6 · 14/12/2022 14:41

She will be forever Celia. Clelia looks like you're one of those insufferable parents who are as thick as pig muck.

Only to insufferable people who can’t recognise a classic name from another country because they’re thick as……

Cas112 · 14/12/2022 17:52

I thought you meant Celia and you'd just misspelled

bluetowel1 · 14/12/2022 17:17

Agree with PP - it makes me think of vagina

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 14/12/2022 16:53

astronewt · 14/12/2022 13:41

Really, really awful, and makes me picture female genitalia for some reason.

You're not the only one...

bridgetjonesmassivepants · 14/12/2022 16:18

Rule of thumb, if you have to explain to people how to pronounce a name then it's going to be a right hassle in later life. Pick whatever you like , the child is yours, not mine, but please choose something as little more straightforward.

OnceRuralNowUrbanbliss · 14/12/2022 16:08

They also elongate it to 'Clelietta' which is pretty.
It's an old fashioned Italian name like our Elsie, Ruby etc

Footle · 14/12/2022 16:03

@Pictograph , yes, Margaret Drabble connection for me too. Doesn't the girl's mother say she thinks she really meant to call her Clara?

OnceRuralNowUrbanbliss · 14/12/2022 16:01

My goddaughter is called this.
Took some time getting used to it but now think it is beautiful and unusual.

They are overseas.

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