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Baby names

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Original poster

Sara?!??

61 replies

Betsyboo2022 · 15/06/2023 22:02

Hi mummys!!
currently expecting my second baby girl and my husband and I really like the name Sara but pronounced like Zara instead, however we have no idea how to make this clear to people as I feel like people will just automatically say Sarah:(
(the reason we’re going with the S spelling as appose the the original Z spelling is because all of our other children’s names start with S!!)

thanks for all your help x

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Foxglovers · 17/06/2023 14:06

i would read Sara to rhyme with zara??

FeigningConcern · 16/06/2023 21:57

Almost EVERYONE will pronounce Sara to rhyme with Zara.

I know one Sara that pronounces it Sarah and we all used to talk about it as being odd including with her. She said it's her dad's fault as he registered the birth and spelt her name wrong!!!

Sarah is the more unusual pronunciation of Sara.

continentallentil · 16/06/2023 21:47

I don’t think it will be that difficult. I think a lot of people will at least check how you want it said. It’s a nice variation. Sarah would be easier it is true.

StillWantingADog · 16/06/2023 20:22

erm no you need to call her Sara or Zara

thebestbirtheraccordingtoDD · 16/06/2023 20:20

Sara is usually pronounced to rhyme with Zara surely?

LockIn · 16/06/2023 14:36

JenniferBarkley · 16/06/2023 14:11

I like Sara to rhyme with Zara but have known a few that pronounce it Sarah. I think it's one of those names that has more than one accepted pronunciation like Naomi and Helena, and if you pick it you need to do so with your eyes wide open to that.

Both Sarah and Zara would be easier to live with.

I agree with this. I would probably ask a Sara which pronunciation it was if I had the chance, and if I had to take a guess I would go with your pronunciation.

However, I am someone who has a name that can be pronounced multiple ways and I really hate it. On MN the comment is always "People only need to be told once" but that isn't my experience at all, and it's even more awkward to correct people the second and subsequent times! I've even had people insist that I am pronouncing my own name wrongly, and I had a friend at school with a similar name who politely corrected a teacher only to be told "Well I am going to call you 'other pronunciation' because it sounds classier". It doesn't bother some people at all, and of course your DD may be one of them, but I would definitely choose the name being aware that some may pronounce it as Sarah.

JenniferBarkley · 16/06/2023 14:11

I like Sara to rhyme with Zara but have known a few that pronounce it Sarah. I think it's one of those names that has more than one accepted pronunciation like Naomi and Helena, and if you pick it you need to do so with your eyes wide open to that.

Both Sarah and Zara would be easier to live with.

MissionImpossible3 · 16/06/2023 14:04

I would automatically think Sara was pronounced like Zara but have a good friend whose name is spelt this way but she is Sarah 🤷🏻‍♀️
I think she is unusual though!!

KirstenBlest · 16/06/2023 13:57

@SallyWD , she wants to use Sara but said as Sah-rah not Saira.
I read it as you did, as did many others.

SallyWD · 16/06/2023 13:48

I'm sorry but that's ridiculous. Call her Sara or Zara but not Sara pronounced Zara!!

dwightschrutebeets · 16/06/2023 13:48

Sorry completely mis read. I say it like zara but with an S. f you want to call your baby zara call her it cos it's completely different to Sara. Zara is miles better

dwightschrutebeets · 16/06/2023 13:47

I say Sara like zara. Really bugs me when people spell it Sara then say it's Sarah. Put a bloody H on the end then! Winds me up. I don't think there's anything you can other than correct them

Pemba · 16/06/2023 13:47

JandalsAlways · 16/06/2023 02:54

This!

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No that's just ignorant. It can be said both ways, don't you realise that?

Pemba · 16/06/2023 13:45

In the UK, most people will pronounce as Sah-ra, rhyming with Zara anyway, not the same as Sarah, so I don't think you need to worry. There are exceptions of course, like Sara Pascoe and Sara Cox, both said as Sarah.

However if you were in the USA, most people would pronounce it the same as Sarah.

user1492757084 · 16/06/2023 04:47

Sara is lovely and usually pronounced as to rhyme with Zara.

Nicecow · 16/06/2023 04:20

I have a friend called Sarah, written Sara (she dropped the H in teenage rebellion), she is forever correcting people to say "Sarah".

kiwiandcherries · 16/06/2023 04:19

Betsyboo2022 · 15/06/2023 22:56

Just to clear some things up :)

I should’ve made it clear that I want Sara to rhyme with Zara. I had no intention of the Z sound being used I’m aware now that this isn’t obvious so apologies.

Yes, definitely go with Sara (rhyming with Zara). It's a lovely name and will go well with your other children. Congratulations 🎉

LadyVF · 16/06/2023 04:01

I’m a Sarah, and even my boyfriend and best friend call me Sara!
So even Sarahs get called Sara.
But go for it op, it’s a lovely name!

JandalsAlways · 16/06/2023 03:57

TheMurderousGoose · 16/06/2023 02:56

I vote that 'This!' needs to be banned as a MN response.

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Then they need a 'Thumbs up'. Sages typing the same thing 🤷‍♀️

coxesorangepippin · 16/06/2023 02:59

I have friend called Sara

Everyone calls her Sarah

TheMurderousGoose · 16/06/2023 02:56

JandalsAlways · 16/06/2023 02:54

This!

Show quote history

I vote that 'This!' needs to be banned as a MN response.

JandalsAlways · 16/06/2023 02:54

Upinspacemannnnn · 15/06/2023 22:59

Sara isn't Sarah. Who ever pronounces it that was is silly.

This!

JandalsAlways · 16/06/2023 02:53

I'd say it rhyming with Zara if it was missing the "H"

TheMurderousGoose · 16/06/2023 02:49

I know three American Saras whose name sounds exactly like Sarah.

There's no set adherence to a perceived rule.

Also, matching initials on all kids is tacky.

TitoMojito · 15/06/2023 23:39

I had a friend named Sara growing up. People called her Sarah but she just corrected them and then they knew. Lovely name imo.

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