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Baby names

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

Original poster

Zadie

55 replies

NC100000 · 30/03/2024 00:14

What is everyone’s honest opinions on Zadie please?

What heritage comes to mind?
Is it a bit too much like a nickname?

I’d love to know why you do or don’t like it.

Thank you!

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SirChenjins · 30/03/2024 13:24

I don’t like it at all - I can’t really explain it, other than it sounds like a youneeq made-up name. Zanie Zadie - I’m mad me.

(And yes, I’m familiar with Zadie Smith)

Original poster
NC100000 · 30/03/2024 13:24

PrudeyTwoShoes · 30/03/2024 12:48

I personally don't like it but it seems like I'm in the minority.

Thank you - and to everyone who has commented. Any particular reason why? Before I go for this name and there’s something I’ve missed! 😂

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Original poster
NC100000 · 30/03/2024 13:23

VerityUnreasonble · 30/03/2024 10:03

It means Grandad to mean (it's what Ashkenazi Jewish people often call their Grandfathers).

I don't dislike it as a name. It would just sound a little bit odd! I'd assume some Arabic heritage if I had to guess, although really you never know, names can be used by anyone.

Zosia / Zaida would sound better to me.

I’d seen this but I have to say it didn’t occur to me to mind. But I wonder if that’s because we live in the most diverse part of the UK! Thank you.

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Original poster
NC100000 · 30/03/2024 13:19

daisypond · 30/03/2024 09:13

Isn’t Zadie a “made-up” name? I can only think of Zadie Smith, and her name is actually Sadie. She changed it aged 14. I think the z “exoticises” it.

Edited

I had wondered this actually hence I asked if it sounds like a nickname in my initial post. Thank you!

Yes, I knew she’s a Sadie. I really love ZS’s writing and I’d be happy to tell my DD her name was partially inspired by her.

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AmaryllisChorus · 30/03/2024 13:16

I like it. I have a soft spot for names that begin with Z. Makes me think of Zadie Smith, so literary elite is the heritage that comes to mind.

Original poster
NC100000 · 30/03/2024 13:13

Eloraa · 30/03/2024 08:56

Really love it!

It was on my shortlist for a girl with Arab/ English heritage. In case it’s helpful, the rest of the list was…

Zara
Yasmin/ Jasmin
Noor
Saffron
Maryam
Dinah
Roya/ Raya
Roxana

Thank you! Really lovely shortlist. Love Noor/Nour (we’d have spelt it) but she’ll have a cousin called that. Nobody tells you about this when you put off having babies in your twenties… 😁

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PrudeyTwoShoes · 30/03/2024 12:48

I personally don't like it but it seems like I'm in the minority.

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 30/03/2024 12:45

Much prefer Sadie

YoungBritishPissArtist · 30/03/2024 12:41

Kitkat1523 · 30/03/2024 09:11

its a lot more common these days with Rebecca Zamola calling her DD Zadie

Pandora Sykes has as well. I like it but I’m imaging a lifetime of correcting people who will hear Sadie.

CatCatCatCatCatCat · 30/03/2024 12:36

I thought it was because you like Sadie but don't like that "sad" "die" thing (something I've seen mentioned on here) so assumed it was a way to avoid that

BoswellTheScribe · 30/03/2024 12:24

I’ve never heard the name Zadie before only Sadie which I really like and would make me think Scottish heritage. When I say them both the Z doesn’t really sound much different to the S other than the S being a bit softer sounding.

VerityUnreasonble · 30/03/2024 10:03

It means Grandad to mean (it's what Ashkenazi Jewish people often call their Grandfathers).

I don't dislike it as a name. It would just sound a little bit odd! I'd assume some Arabic heritage if I had to guess, although really you never know, names can be used by anyone.

Zosia / Zaida would sound better to me.

daisypond · 30/03/2024 10:00

Newsenmum · 30/03/2024 09:46

A quick Google will tell you that it is a real name.

Show quote history

No, a quick Google did not. Some stuff on those rubbish, invented baby-name sites which is always more fiction than truth.

Newsenmum · 30/03/2024 09:46

daisypond · 30/03/2024 09:13

Isn’t Zadie a “made-up” name? I can only think of Zadie Smith, and her name is actually Sadie. She changed it aged 14. I think the z “exoticises” it.

Edited

A quick Google will tell you that it is a real name.

daisypond · 30/03/2024 09:13

Isn’t Zadie a “made-up” name? I can only think of Zadie Smith, and her name is actually Sadie. She changed it aged 14. I think the z “exoticises” it.

Kitkat1523 · 30/03/2024 09:11

its a lot more common these days with Rebecca Zamola calling her DD Zadie

colouredball · 30/03/2024 09:01

I really like it, and I never like unusual names on here! I think it's the Z

Eloraa · 30/03/2024 08:56

Really love it!

It was on my shortlist for a girl with Arab/ English heritage. In case it’s helpful, the rest of the list was…

Zara
Yasmin/ Jasmin
Noor
Saffron
Maryam
Dinah
Roya/ Raya
Roxana

Moreteaandchocolate · 30/03/2024 08:36

Zadie sounds quite cool and edgy to me, I like it.

GrandparentIssues · 30/03/2024 00:50

It’s lovely but how about Zaida, Zayna or Zeinab, to add some similar names you might not have considered into the mix (and all the multiple different spellings of the same names 😂)?

Newsenmum · 30/03/2024 00:42

I like it and much prefer it to Sadie. My thought would be mixed heritage but doesn’t really matter.

Original poster
NC100000 · 30/03/2024 00:40

Theoldwoman · 30/03/2024 00:33

I prefer Sadie.

What about Zelda?

Thanks! Lovely but it reminds me of a Game of Thrones character. Not a bad thing perhaps!

I think it’s the Zay sound I like in Zadie and I also like girl names ending in -ie or -y. I know many don’t. I think that’s why I wondered if it sounds a bit like a nickname.

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DownWithThisKindOfThing · 30/03/2024 00:39

Love it

Also think of Zadie Smith

Theoldwoman · 30/03/2024 00:33

I prefer Sadie.

What about Zelda?

Original poster
NC100000 · 30/03/2024 00:30

I’m a big fan of Zadie Smith actually but I just loved the name regardless. She will have Arab heritage but mixed race so I’m glad that’s what was in mind.

So pleased a few of you like it so far but it’s early days and a Bank Hol weekend so I’m sure I’ll get some candid views on it which will make me hate it in due course. 🙈😂

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