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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alice or Alys

81 replies

ClassicStripe · 22/08/2024 19:35

Middle name will be Catherine Victoria

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user1492757084 · 23/08/2024 06:41

Alice is best.
Alice Catherine Victoria

or Alys Catrin Victoria in Wales
or Alize Catherine Victoria in France
Alison/Alice Catriona Victoria in Scotland

Alice Kate Victoria

Pieceofpurplesky · 23/08/2024 01:44

Alys is beautiful

Bournetilly · 23/08/2024 01:38

Alice

Boutonnière · 23/08/2024 01:18

Outside of Wales, people may not recognise it as Alice and pronounce it as something like Aleeze. That may or not be a concern for you.

I’m of Welsh parentage and there are lovely Welsh names throughout my wider family. I used two of them for middle names for my daughters, entirely raised in England, and although it hasn’t been as much of a problem as if they were first names, they always have to clarify the spelling when full names are required especially when it is happening verbally. Added to their unusual surname via my husband, I wish I had paused a little more thought about this.

frenchfancy81 · 23/08/2024 01:00

Alice is really pretty. Alys would make people falter over how it's said!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 23/08/2024 00:49

While I adore Alys as I think it looks the prettiest written down (and it always feels quite traditional to me as I’ve seen it in a lot of historical novels) - if you aren’t in Wales I’m just not sure it’s worth the hassle of always having to spell it. Outside of Wales/Welsh borders she won’t even be able to say “Alys spelt the Welsh way” as many people will still look blank. Alice is Top 100 in at least a dozen different countries so will give her an easier life imo.

Longdarkcloud · 22/08/2024 23:29

Alys was the usual spelling in England for several hundred years and then was gradually taken over by Alice from about 16/17 Centuries.I actually prefer it and am interested to hear that it’s remained Alys in Wales.

KirstenBlest · 22/08/2024 23:03

@SemperIdem , Alis was used in Wales too but the Alys spelling is used nowadays.

I'd put Alys in the same league as Elisabeth and Cristina. Fine if that's how your language spells it but looks wrong otherwise.

SaintHonoria · 22/08/2024 22:59

Alice.

Alys is horrid.

Tulipvase · 22/08/2024 22:59

Alys - I must say I didn’t know that it was Welsh. It Is a very pretty name but in my ignorance I’d have assumed it was pronounced with a long ‘ee’ sound not like Alice.

I have a Finn as I have Irish heritage but live in England.

SemperIdem · 22/08/2024 22:54

Changethetoner · 22/08/2024 20:21

How about Alis. Short for Alistair.

Alis is actually the Old French spelling Alice originated from.

SemperIdem · 22/08/2024 22:52

Thiswayorthatway · 22/08/2024 20:53

Alys?! Ffs

Is it tedious being so ignorant or are you blissfully unaware of it?

hardtocare · 22/08/2024 22:49

I have the Welsh spelling of a popular name (for my age anyway) and I'm so fed up of having to spell it, having it mispronounced even though it's entirely phonetic etc. definitely spell it Alice

KirstenBlest · 22/08/2024 22:43

Alice.
I don't like the Alys spelling, although it is OK if you are Welsh.

JanglyBeads · 22/08/2024 22:35

I knew an Alys thus named cos her dad was Hungarian.

Arconialiving · 22/08/2024 22:32

Clma · 22/08/2024 19:37

Alice! Never Alys that's daft and she'll spend her life correcting people, who'll internally be rolling their eyes!

This!

7wwkw · 22/08/2024 22:12

Alice
Or she will have to correct spelling forever.

HansHolbein · 22/08/2024 22:10

flightlya · 22/08/2024 21:55

Obviously Alys if you are Welsh

Obviously 🤓

flightlya · 22/08/2024 21:55

Obviously Alys if you are Welsh

HansHolbein · 22/08/2024 21:48

Obviously Alice.

Clearinguptheclutter · 22/08/2024 21:47

love Alys
i’m Welsh tho

Mandarinaduck · 22/08/2024 21:46

Both lovely, I prefer Alys but I’d think I’d only go for it if there was a Welsh connection.

NewName24 · 22/08/2024 21:35

If you are living in Welsh speaking Wales, then Alys.
If you are going to bring her up anywhere else, then Alice.

Thiswayorthatway · 22/08/2024 20:53

Alys?! Ffs

TulaTilda · 22/08/2024 20:53

Alice