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Baby names

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Original poster

How would you pronounce Leia? Running out of time to register

154 replies

Mountainfreshair · 23/04/2024 14:01

First time poster but would love your thoughts on how you would pronounce Leia?

We don’t have long left to register the birth and had decided on Leia long before I was pregnant, I’m now doubting it as worried that she will have a lifetime of people mis-spelling or saying her name wrong.. My intention would be Leia, pronounced as Laya.

The other option is Harper but aware this is very popular at the moment but still lovely and suits her too.

Thanks in advance

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pinkmags · 23/04/2024 22:01

My SIL is Leila (Pronounced Layla).

My MIL is Sheila (Pronounced Sheela)

isthesolution · 23/04/2024 22:01

I'd say Lee-ah but can also see Lay-ah.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 23/04/2024 21:39

Leia is very pretty, and despite the Star Wars thing, somehow sounds quite elegant to me- plus the original films were so long ago, it almost feels like a classic reference (albeit cult classic pop culture🤣 -but at least everyone will get the pronunciation of Leia). Don’t do Biblical Leah - I’ve never heard it pronounced as anything but “Lee-ah”.

I’ll be honest and say Harper has almost the opposite vibe to me. I understand Harper Lee is classic pop culture too and 20 years ago the name would have sounded quite quirky or even classy (since there were only a few about, everyone would assume all named after the author). But since celebs have used it and thousands copied them, it’s become super trendy and ( dare I say it) therefore sounds a bit down market now imo?

CelynMelyn · 23/04/2024 21:37

Kalevala · 23/04/2024 21:02

Lee-a

'ei' can be any of long e, long i, or long a, I thought? I'd guess e based on the two vowels walking, first does the talking rhyme.

My SIL is Leila (Pronounced Layla). Nobody has called her Leela in 14 years.

Leia is pronounced Laya. Leah is pronounced Leeya.

Kalevala · 23/04/2024 21:02

Lee-a

'ei' can be any of long e, long i, or long a, I thought? I'd guess e based on the two vowels walking, first does the talking rhyme.

CelesteCunningham · 23/04/2024 21:02

elevens24 · 23/04/2024 18:35

I would say Lee-a. I don't think younger generations will make the link with Star Wars.

I have a six year old who has several friends who could tell you EVERYTHING about Star Wars. Every dress down day is a sea of stormtroopers and light sabers. It's going nowhere!

oberst · 23/04/2024 20:57

I know a Leia and it's 'Lee-ya'

Overthebow · 23/04/2024 20:56

I would assume Lee ya, and then when told it’s laya assume you named her after Star Wars.

Cammac · 23/04/2024 20:55

Mumposter · 23/04/2024 20:37

My friend named her daughter Leia to be pronounced as Lee-a. However when the kid started nursery the teachers pronounced her name as Laya and the kid now prefers being called Laya
but the kid does get called both pronunciations which annoys the mum

Laya is the correct pronunciation of Leia. If your DF wanted her DD’s name to be pronounced Lee-a she should have named her Leah.

People are not mind readers.

RuthW · 23/04/2024 20:54

Laya

lightsactionsleep · 23/04/2024 20:54

As in the Princess from Star Wars.

DuchessOfSausage · 23/04/2024 20:48

@Hillrunning , Laya would probably have people saying Ligh-a, like Maya can me Migh-a or May-a.

Decklededge · 23/04/2024 20:46

I have one in my class and it’s pronounced Leeya

Hillrunning · 23/04/2024 20:43

If you want the pronunciation Laya, then just call the kid Laya. I do t understand why people make things so complicated.

NahNeedsGarlic · 23/04/2024 20:40

Star Wars fan here, it’s a great, strong name and I wouldn’t base a decision on possible pronunciation issues. Even obvious names get mangled by some people. And congratulations!

Dewdilly · 23/04/2024 20:39

Lay-a.

It is much nicer than Harper.

Mumposter · 23/04/2024 20:37

My friend named her daughter Leia to be pronounced as Lee-a. However when the kid started nursery the teachers pronounced her name as Laya and the kid now prefers being called Laya
but the kid does get called both pronunciations which annoys the mum

Thunderpants88 · 23/04/2024 20:34

Lee-ah

Bettyscakes · 23/04/2024 20:33

My dil is Leia pronounced Lee a

Nubnut · 23/04/2024 20:32

Lovely name.

Please don't call her Harper. WHY is this popular.

Notreat · 23/04/2024 20:31

Borborygmus · 23/04/2024 18:50

Lee-ah

Leah is pronounced Lee ah
Leia is pronounced Lay uh

Amx · 23/04/2024 19:57

DS's friend had a baby sister and she was called Leia. The mum complained to the school that all the kids were calling her the Star Wars baby and her DS didn't like it.

I think it's a nice name.

NightPuffins · 23/04/2024 19:48

@Mountainfreshair "I can understand why it could be seen as Lee-ah as Leigh would be said as Lee rather than Lay"

In the English language pronunciation can vary so much though!
Leigh-on-Sea in Essex is as "lee"
Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire is as "lay"
The name Kayleigh is as "lee"
The word sleigh is as "lay"

So use the name you love as most will get your chosen pronunciation first time, anyone else will only need correcting once.

Borborygmus · 23/04/2024 18:50

Lee-ah

caringcarer · 23/04/2024 18:50

pinkmags · 23/04/2024 14:15

I've never seen Star Wars

Is Laya like Maya Confused

😱 You've never seen Star Wars.