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Baby names

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

Original poster

Spelling help needed!

81 replies

AlpacaMeBags · 01/03/2023 04:00

DD is nearly 3 weeks old. We've decided on a name for her but can't make a decision about spelling.

She's called Maia/Maya - pronounced My-a.

Originally we'd gone with Maia (my preference -i prefer the history of it and I think Maya could end up May-a) but people seem confused by the spelling.

Which would you go for?

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Zola1 · 01/03/2023 07:34

I'd go Maia as it looks so pretty... I'd pronounce both as Mya because that's how you pronounce all but one of the Mayas I know

Undermyumberellaellaella · 01/03/2023 07:34

Mya.

ShakinSteven · 01/03/2023 07:33

Maia. I would pronounce that My-a. Lovely name.

Twotreesgreen · 01/03/2023 07:32

I know 4 Maya’s, 3 are My-a one is May-a. It gets confusing!

Whatames · 01/03/2023 07:30

I have a Maya pronounced May-ah. Actually I think my spelling is wrong. Maya is most commonly pronounced My-ah and Maia is the goddess of spring pronounced May-a. My daughter is 10 and it always leads to a bit of confusion when starting classes etc but once told it’s been fine. It is a bit of a confusing spelling situation but a beautiful name and I have no regrets!

TheIsleOfTheLost · 01/03/2023 07:29

I have never heard of anyone with the name pronounciation May-a. Only My-a or Mee-a. Go for whichever spelling you prefer op, it seems like people find both confusing.

Reddahlias · 01/03/2023 07:07

Mya for the pronunciation you want.

Maya is May-a and Maia is unusual in the UK

louise5754 · 01/03/2023 06:57

This will be a nightmare for your child. I know it's a legitimate name but imagine her at school age for not knowing who the teacher is talking too.

notthisagainforest · 01/03/2023 06:53

My friend has a mya and is spelt mya. I think any other way people will get it wrong all the time.

lemonmama · 01/03/2023 06:53

I'd spell it Mya. No mistake pronouncing it then.

PaulaPaola · 01/03/2023 06:48

Two completely different names.
If you want a My-a sound, it's Maya you need to use (as in the ancient central American civilisation).
Maia is the goddess of growth after whom the moment of May was named, so I would pronounce this May-ya.

soleilblue · 01/03/2023 06:44

Mya

ScentOfAMemory · 01/03/2023 06:42

bussteward · 01/03/2023 04:55

Maya as it’s my friend’s name! Pronounced the way you prefer. Maia is a bit yoonique.

Maia is Italian and pronounced in the way the OP wants. (My-a)
Maya to me would be pronounced May-a.

@AlpacaMeBags I think it's a name that however you spell it some people are going to be confused.

R0ckets · 01/03/2023 06:39

I'd go with Maia or Mya(h) but definitely not Maya as most will automatically pronounce it may-ah.

Personally I'd chose Mya(h) as it's got the least chance of her ever having to utter the words it's Mya not Maya which will from experience become incredibly tedious.

JenniferBarkley · 01/03/2023 06:26

Maya is the default spelling and yours the default pronunciation for me, although I do know one who pronounces it May-ah.

Maia is fine too though, as someone said above they're both established variants so neither should cause problems.

SunshineAndFizz · 01/03/2023 05:40

What about Mya?

mellongoose · 01/03/2023 05:38

Maia or Mya but not Maya 😊

legalalien · 01/03/2023 05:34

100% Maia

(having grown up in NZ I instinctively see this as a not uncommon Maori name)

garlictwist · 01/03/2023 05:27

They are both legitimate spellings so just choose your favourite.

Twoinapod · 01/03/2023 05:23

Maya is definitely May-a
Maia could be both but I’d be more inclined to see may-a

if you want that pronounciation I’d go Mya or Myah, or just accept that you will be correcting people. Once they’ve heard it once they’ll remember it so it’s not a huge issue.

KnickerlessParsons · 01/03/2023 05:22

I would choose a name that wouldn't mean both you and your DD having to explain "no, it's My-ah actually" for the rest of your lives.

I have to correct people about the pronunciation of my surname (thanks DH) every time, and it's so tedious.

2chocolateoranges · 01/03/2023 05:00

Definitely Maya. The other spelling just doesn't look right. Too many vowels.

bussteward · 01/03/2023 04:55

Maya as it’s my friend’s name! Pronounced the way you prefer. Maia is a bit yoonique.

Sugarfree23 · 01/03/2023 04:49

Maya is my preference. Looks better and has a more obvious M-aya

Maia is vowel overload.

sashh · 01/03/2023 04:42

My-a I would expect Maya or Mia.

Maia to me looks like Me-a

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