Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Need opinions from people named Zoe/Zoey

64 replies

prigekhas · 15/06/2026 06:04

We are deciding on names for our new daughter. Zoe is our front runner.

Husband prefers Zoey spelling. I prefer Zoe, but I met an adult Zoe who said everyone pronounces it wrong. My husband also knows someone who said the same thing.

So, people who have or have used the name Zoe/Zoey, tell me your experience. Do people pronounce it correctly? Anything else I should know before we choose this name?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
StevieNic · 15/06/2026 20:39

The name is Zoë a Christian name recognisable all around the world. Zoey is a character from Kpop demon hunters.

TeenToTwenties · 15/06/2026 20:35

Bellybellas · 15/06/2026 20:16

Zoë is pronounced Zo-ee

Zoe, Joe, Toe are all pronounced as Zo, Jo, To

Zoey would also be pronounced Zo-ee

But that just isn't true.

Zoe is pronounced Zo/ee.

It may not be how English phonics directs it, but common usage overrides that, in the same way that some place names are pronounced nothing like their spelling.

Myskyscolour · 15/06/2026 20:19

MotherOfCrocodiles · 15/06/2026 07:20

Zoe is such a normal name, I think most people know how to pronounce this

if you want you could put a diaresis (two dots) over the e which indicates it is pronounced as a second vowel, I think this would be technically correct but most British people wouldn’t recognise it. I think this might be more popular in French though? Anyway I wouldn’t recommend it as it is a PiTA having a non standard character in your name.

The French version would be Zoé - my DD’s name, never mispronounced, even though in England school/people will often spell it Zoe with no accent.

Bellybellas · 15/06/2026 20:16

Zoë is pronounced Zo-ee

Zoe, Joe, Toe are all pronounced as Zo, Jo, To

Zoey would also be pronounced Zo-ee

sesquipedalian · 15/06/2026 18:41

I’m sorry, OP, I’d have to spell it Zoë. With the diaeresis (two dots) that ensure the pronunciation is Zo-ee rather than Zo. I think it’s rather distinguished.

ThreeStripeQueen · 15/06/2026 18:27

I don’t understand Zoey, because if Zoe is pronounced Zo-ee then Zoey seems like it should be pronounced Zo-ee-ee.

AnnieApples · 15/06/2026 18:23

Bellybellas · 15/06/2026 17:42

Zoe rhymes with Toe and Joe

I don’t honestly think anyone would get it this wrong, but I would use the diaresis.

Zoey is an abomination. It just makes you look a bit thick.

thelongesday · 15/06/2026 18:17

Zoe definitely, love it.

TwitchyNibbles · 15/06/2026 18:12

No "y"

How on earth are people mispronouncing Zoe?? It's not exactly an unusual name!

dnadiscoveryquery · 15/06/2026 18:12

No y!

Love the name Zoe but with the y it makes it very Americanized.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/06/2026 18:09

Squirrelchops1 · 15/06/2026 06:48

I went to school with a Zoey.....We're in our 40s.
Pronunciation...I'm Assuming is not Zoe like flow which is how I've heard Americans pronounce it. Rather Zoe ...2 syllables so 'flow e'?

Edited

Only ever heard it pronounced as 2 syllables zo-e

Conchiglie · 15/06/2026 17:48

Zoe is a lovely name and will be pronounced correctly 99 times out of 100. I'm not a fan of Zoey.

hallenbad · 15/06/2026 17:47

Zoë

TeenToTwenties · 15/06/2026 17:46

Bellybellas · 15/06/2026 17:42

Zoe rhymes with Toe and Joe

In theory yes, but in practice the vast majority of people in the UK know it is pronounced Zo/ee even without the double dots.

Blueuggboots · 15/06/2026 17:46

I know someone called Zoie.

Bellybellas · 15/06/2026 17:42

Zoe rhymes with Toe and Joe

MabelAnderson · 15/06/2026 14:20

Zoë lovely, Zoey , ridiculous. And makes me think it must be pronounced Zooey or something.

Snowfairyxx · 15/06/2026 13:35

I am surprised people can't pronounce Zoe. I have never come across this, although that is not my name but have known people with the name.
Zoey is not spelt correctly. I would choose another name rather than a wrong spelling if you think Zoe is going to be an issue.

NamingNoNames · 15/06/2026 10:33

Zoey would be correcting people or saying 'Zoey with a y'.
The Zoe spelling is the usual one. Baby name explorer

NamingNoNames · 15/06/2026 10:01

Zoe or Zoey | Mumsnet

Zoey looks like you can’t spell.

Firebird83 · 15/06/2026 08:36

Zoey seems very American, it’s a common spelling there. I’ve only ever seen Zoe in the UK.

BoleynMemories13 · 15/06/2026 07:38

I have a friend called Zoe. I think it's mainstream enough that most people know it's two syllables (rhyming with Chloe). We did have one teacher at secondary school who always called her Zo (to rhyme with Joe), but he wasn't English. I guess Zo is a legitimate short form of Zoe though, so it's not a disaster if people say that. Just smile and correct them.

Zoe is lovely and I can't imagine you'd have too many issues. Zoey really cheapens a nice name. I think 90% of people will write it as Zoe anyway, so it will cause her more issues than the odd person pronouncing Zoe incorrectly.

Secretsquirrelshh · 15/06/2026 07:28

Don’t bother with the dots as nobody else will with typed communication, and it’ll just annoy you every time you see it “wrong”.

ToyStory75 · 15/06/2026 07:26

Zoe.

Silverbirchleaf · 15/06/2026 07:25

No ‘Y’. She’ll have a lifetime if saying ‘Zoe with a ‘Y’’ if you spell it that way.