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Baby names

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Original poster

Help with Spanish Baby Name

37 replies

spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 10:45

Moving to Spain before baby is born.
For a boy I've chosen Hugo Jacob. Jacob has been a favourite for a long time but doesn't work pronunciation wise in Spain, but I absolutely love the combination Hugo Jacob now.

In terms of girls names, finding them really hard. So far I like....
Lucia
Sofia
Lola
Alba

Surname begins with B and is one syllable. So not sure Alba works.
I prefer short names that are unlikely to be shortened.
What are your thoughts? Any other suggestions?

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DuchessOfSausage · 08/09/2024 17:59

The only Alma I've ever met was an adult. It didn't strike me as 'juvenile'.
Similarly, the only Lola I've met was an adult but it's a popularname for dogs.

Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 23:11

Newsenmum · 07/09/2024 21:25

I think Lola works the best but agree Alma is lovely

Thank you - it rolls of the tongue nicely. Just not sure if it's a bit.... Juvenile.

OP posts:
Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 23:10

Deadhouseplant · 07/09/2024 21:46

Vs are pronounced as Bs in Spanish not the other way round

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Thank you - I think it's unusable with the surname. There's a repeating sound and it just sounds lispy and awful.

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0BonneMaman0 · 07/09/2024 22:57

Love Lola.
Also Lula.

Deadhouseplant · 07/09/2024 21:46

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 07/09/2024 21:23

Spanish pronounce Alba as Alva don't they? Does thst make a difference if you have a B surname?

In England Ines would probably be first pronounced as Eye-nez, but correcting people is usually only needed once.

Vs are pronounced as Bs in Spanish not the other way round

miniaturepixieonacid · 07/09/2024 21:42

If you like short, unshortenable names, there's a Spanish girl at the school I work at called Sol. It really suits her, she's very bright and smiley!

I've also taught Spanish girls called:
Inez, Ana, Marina, Claudia, Gloria, Marta, Elisa, Maria, Estrella and Rocio.

Newsenmum · 07/09/2024 21:25

I think Lola works the best but agree Alma is lovely

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 07/09/2024 21:23

Spanish pronounce Alba as Alva don't they? Does thst make a difference if you have a B surname?

In England Ines would probably be first pronounced as Eye-nez, but correcting people is usually only needed once.

TicklishHam · 07/09/2024 19:50

I know a spanish Nuria (rhymes with courier)

Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 19:38

Would Ines be mis pronounced in English? Or would you say it's quite simple? Its growing on me.

OP posts:
DoorOpening · 07/09/2024 17:55

Lorena
no obvious shortenings, I reckon, and it’s pretty and unusual

Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 17:51

AuditAngel · 07/09/2024 16:33

Hugo is definitely pronounced Oo-go. There was a very badly behaved one on holiday so we heard his name plenty of times!

I am aware of the Spanish pronunciation and I'm happy with that.

OP posts:
Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 17:50

MariaMeringue · 07/09/2024 16:40

I have a Spanish friend called Amaia and think it's a really pretty name.

Thank you but unfortunately Amaia with the surname is huge teasing potential I think.... Which is such ashame.

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mynameiscalypso · 07/09/2024 16:47

DS has lots of Spanish friends. Most of the names have been mentioned already but one is a Luz which I think is nice.

MariaMeringue · 07/09/2024 16:40

I have a Spanish friend called Amaia and think it's a really pretty name.

AuditAngel · 07/09/2024 16:33

Hugo is definitely pronounced Oo-go. There was a very badly behaved one on holiday so we heard his name plenty of times!

AuditAngel · 07/09/2024 16:32

Sorry, misread a post

Meredusoleil · 07/09/2024 15:48

spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 15:38

I know Jacob won't be but Hugo will so I'm fine with that.

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Not really, as the H will be silent and not pronounced.

I like Luna (Moon) too.

Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 15:38

MsNeis · 07/09/2024 12:53

All your picks are lovely! Lola is a shortened version of Dolores, by the way (in reference to Our Lady of Sorrows).
Congratulations on your baby!

Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 15:38

Meredusoleil · 07/09/2024 12:50

I don't think Hugo Jacob will be pronounced how you want in Spain.

I like Sofia for a girl. Or how about Maribel or Valentina?

I know Jacob won't be but Hugo will so I'm fine with that.

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Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 15:37

theduchessofspork · 07/09/2024 12:30

I wouldn’t worry about Jacob - it’s a middle name.

I’d go for Eloise or Eloisa (either work in Spain) nn Lola. Lola is cute but it’s not v distinguished compared to your other choices and does make me think of the showgirl song.

Sofia and Lucia are v overused in Spain and Sofia in the Uk too so I’d scrap them. But Lucia will be said Loo-ee-suh so if you do go for it you’d have to like that.

Alba’s quite nice, if your name is something like Brook, I think Alba Brook is Ok.

For other ideas

I love Inez which is staring to get more popular here

Emma and Laura both work in Spain

Unfortunately already got Laura and Emma in the family so out of the question.
Do like the different pronunciations of Lucia so wouldn't bother me.
Ines/Inez is definitely growing on me.
Not too keen on Eloise/Eloisa unfortunately.
Surname is B then a vowel so don't think it works.

OP posts:
Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 15:33

VenusClapTrap · 07/09/2024 12:20

My favourite Spanish girls name is Marisol. Meaning sea and sun - just lovely.

That's very pretty name, Marisol. Thank you.

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Original poster
spanishsenorita25 · 07/09/2024 15:33

Moreteaandchocolate · 07/09/2024 10:50

Lola is lovely!

Sofia is also beautiful, but is it very popular in Spain? I don’t know if that matters to you?

Lucia is gorgeous, but are the pronunciations different - if so, does that bother you?

How about Alma if Alba isn’t good with your surname?

Other ideas

Mia
Lara
Ines
Clara
Lia
Eva
Iris
Mara

Thank you. I like Lia but don't like the meaning. Ines is definitely growing on me too.

OP posts:
MsNeis · 07/09/2024 12:58

theduchessofspork · 07/09/2024 12:47

Sadly I think it sounds like a sunscreen brand in English, and is possibly a little too close for comfort to anusole

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Also the meaning is not sea and sun! It's a shortened version of Maria del Sol (in reference to the Virgin). Lots of feminine spanish names are shortened/modernised versions of Marian dedications.

MsNeis · 07/09/2024 12:53

All your picks are lovely! Lola is a shortened version of Dolores, by the way (in reference to Our Lady of Sorrows).
Congratulations on your baby!

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