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Baby names

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

Original poster

Please recommend a nickname or english name for Minji!!

134 replies

cinephilee · 31/12/2022 13:46

My English isn't very good, so please bear with me.

I’m Korean and my family moved to UK. My daughter is going to study at secondary school.

Her name is Minji, which is very common in Korea, but I am worried that she will be teased in English. I didn't even know the word "minge" existed.

Is it a problem if I change the spelling to Minzy? It's the same pronunciation in Korean.

Mia - heard it too much common
Gia - can struggle with how to pronounce it
Jia - it sounds like Chinese characters
Jiya - heard it's Indian name

She can name herself in English and if she wants, she can write her Korean name as it is. My daughter picked some English names, but most of them are celebrities or movie names.😂

I heard some names are class-oriented or race-oriented. So I want to narrow it down even if she choose. And I hope it's a name that can be used anywhere in the world.

Thank you.
Wish you all the best in the coming year.

OP posts:
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LemonDrizzles · 31/12/2022 20:22

Minnie
Jenny
Jinny
Jemima

emptythelitterbox · 31/12/2022 19:42

That was my DDs besties name and nobody made fun of her.
The school did have more international students.

Do you know the demographics of the school she'll be attending?

Santancrap · 31/12/2022 19:38

I’d go with Minnie.
happy new year darling xx

Mynameiselvispresley · 31/12/2022 19:36

Think it’s fine to spell her name phonetically for an easier life, as you say. Minzie has a very nice ring to it but it would be great if at some point she felt confident to reclaim the original spelling.

ThatsGoingToHurt · 31/12/2022 19:23

I would go with Minnie, Mindy or Mitzi.

Blahburst · 31/12/2022 19:16

Stick with Minzi. It’s cool.

saraclara · 31/12/2022 19:09

Purplemagnolias · 31/12/2022 18:17

I know several Korean women named Min. It seems a common nickname.

I'd never associate it with female genitalia Confused

That's because you're an adult, and so are they.

The OP's daughter is a child, and her classmates are going to be immature and silly. And some will be bullies. So an entirely different situation.

Bernadinetta · 31/12/2022 18:25

Purplemagnolias · 31/12/2022 18:17

I know several Korean women named Min. It seems a common nickname.

I'd never associate it with female genitalia Confused

Just because you wouldn’t, doesn’t mean others wouldn’t. Why the face? Do you understand regional slang? There are probably some terms you use that others wouldn’t.

Purplemagnolias · 31/12/2022 18:17

I know several Korean women named Min. It seems a common nickname.

I'd never associate it with female genitalia Confused

Bernadinetta · 31/12/2022 18:05

Minnie or Min is also slang for female genitalia in some places, as PPs have mentioned, the same as Minge.
I’d say Mia or Mimi.

Purplemagnolias · 31/12/2022 18:01

I think Min Jee sounds fine.

I'd definitely keep her Korean name to reflect her heritage.

harktheherold · 31/12/2022 16:01

Minnie is very cute

shivawn · 31/12/2022 15:47

I work with a Minija and she often goes by Minnie.

mumda · 31/12/2022 15:44

Mini. Silent J.

saraclara · 31/12/2022 15:39

Oh, yes. With the i. Minzi

saraclara · 31/12/2022 15:39

Definitely Minzy. Your daughter's name is part of her identity. This way her name remains her name, which is much more psychologically healthy (given that she wouldn't have chosen to change it), and it's only the spelling that changes.

cunningartificer · 31/12/2022 15:21

I think Minzi would be great. Close to her original name, unusual and cute. If you keep the i I think it would be a more appealing spelling and avoid the 'mingy' associations of a y ending!

declutteringmymind · 31/12/2022 15:20

I like the idea of Min-ji. Or Min Ji.

She can then choose her nicknames as she sees fit but doesn't erase her heritage and identity.

HowDoWeDoThisPlease · 31/12/2022 15:18

I’d go for Mindy

Stickytoff · 31/12/2022 15:17

Minnie Driver is a famous British actress. Minnie is a nice name.

scarecrow22 · 31/12/2022 15:13

Minty?

Epicstorm · 31/12/2022 15:06

Mina ?

KatKoot · 31/12/2022 14:54

Mindy is pretty & easy to say & spell & similar to Minji.

ShaunaTheSheep · 31/12/2022 14:53

Minzy is lovely. Avoid Minnie for the reasons already given - it IS a common word for female genitalia.

JennyForeigner · 31/12/2022 14:50

Minnie is a lovely, traditional diminutive name for girls, but any of your options would be fine - or none! Naming culture in the UK is relaxed and I would be horrified if you encountered a problem.

Hope all goes well with the move and you enjoy living here.