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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sophia Alyssa or Esme India...

51 replies

zenoushka · 17/07/2010 11:05

Hello all, I'm thinking of choosing the name Sophia Alyssa for my baby (Alyssa being the middle name.) I've always loved it and it works pretty well with our surname too which is double-barrelled. However, I'm also getting more and more tempted by Esme India. Any views, thoughts would be kindly received!

Thank you.

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CapitalText · 17/07/2010 11:30

I prefer Sophie Alyssa It sounds pretty and timeless.

Original poster
zenoushka · 17/07/2010 11:32

Thank you - that's exactly what I want to convey with her name!

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mumofEandE · 17/07/2010 11:37

I have an Esme so I am bias, but I am curious is there a reason behind India?

Original poster
zenoushka · 17/07/2010 11:41

Hi, my parents are originally from India so that's where that comes from. Also my husband (who's German) and I met in India!

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Original poster
zenoushka · 17/07/2010 12:33

What are people's views on the pronunciation of Esme?

I prefer it Es-mee rather than Es-mae.

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POFAKKEDDthechair · 17/07/2010 12:42

Es-mee. Both first names pretty, not to keen on either second names personally. though India nice if you have an authentic link to Inida, as you do.

Original poster
zenoushka · 17/07/2010 12:46

Yes, I definitely prefer it Es-mee although a friend of a friend had a daughter a year ago and pronounced her name Es-mae.

My husband and I just liked the India link with the middle name.

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Kathleen123 · 17/07/2010 13:05

I prefer Esme India.

ReasonableDoubt · 17/07/2010 13:07

Very different names. Sophia Alyssa is quite a 'princess' name, while Esme India is quite Guardian reader. Both nice enough, though. I prefer Sophia to Esme as first names go.

Original poster
zenoushka · 17/07/2010 13:09

Thanks, from the beginning I'd completely been fixated on Sophia Alyssa. But as the weeks go by Esme India has been coming to the forefront too! It will have to be a case of seeing her and deciding whether she's a Sophia Alyssa or an Esme India

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Emily01 · 18/07/2010 16:47

How about Esme Sophia or Sophia Esme?

valiumSingleton · 18/07/2010 16:57

I like Esme but not with India. It'll date a bit. Not only is it Guardian reader as another poster put it, but it's like somebody gobbled up the Guardian. Out of the recycling bin.

Esme Sophia is better.

Esme Alice works well too.

Sophia Alice

Instead of Sophia, what about Susie?

Susie Alice

India is a hard name to pair with another name because ending that ends with EE or ia or a sounds a bit repetitive.

India Hazel would work.

India Pearl - flows well but it's a bit sleb

India Juliet

India Beatrice

India Elizabeth

India Catherine

India Vivien

You mightn't like these names but just examples of what kind of name might sit in the middle with INdia as a first name.

Tuschinski · 18/07/2010 19:38

TGhey are both lovely, though I am in Ireland and Sophie was the number one girls name here in 2009 which puts me off.
I am seriously considering Esme if this baby is a girl but I actually hate the Es-mee pronunciation.

Original poster
zenoushka · 20/07/2010 11:22

Thanks you all for your thoughts - I really like the Esme Sophia suggestion!

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5DollarShake · 20/07/2010 11:47

Or Sophia India...

As for Esmé, I definitely prefer the Es-mae pronunciation (although obviously spelt correctly!). It is a French name, and pronouncing it Es-mee sounds like an anglicised bastardisation of the name. Sorry - just my opinion.

Original poster
zenoushka · 20/07/2010 12:09

I think I still am leaning more heavily towards the Sophia Alyssa or Sophia India suggestions than the Esme ones. It's my husband who really really doesn't like the Es-mae pronunciation! But it's really useful to get an idea of different combinations

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CapitalText · 20/07/2010 13:16

I don't think Esme is a very attractive word. It's a bit like Esmerelda and the "sme" reminds me of words like smear, smell and so on. Not saying that anyone else will think of those things, just giving an honest opinion.

violetsmile · 20/07/2010 13:54

I like Sophie India actually, I like the link with India and I'm not keen on Alyssa.

PuppyMonkey · 20/07/2010 14:01

I have an Esme Bluebell. Pronounced in the Scottish tradition of Esm-ee. She may turn out to be a Guardian reader, but I can think of worse things.

CapitalText, you're full of shit. Just giving an honest opinion.

Original poster
zenoushka · 20/07/2010 14:09

Thanks PuppyMonkey - you're right there are definitely worse things in life than being a Guardian reader!

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CapitalText · 20/07/2010 14:13

But I was, PuppyMonkey. I'm not sure what you are trying to say?

GooseyLoosey · 20/07/2010 14:15

Sophia Alyssa for me - not too keen on your other choice

CapitalText · 20/07/2010 14:17

Was giving an honest opinion, that is. Sorry if you didn't like it but that's what the Baby Names section is for IMHO.

PuppyMonkey · 20/07/2010 15:16

I was giving an honest opinion too, I mean. Saying that you are full of shit in a joking manner. Ah, nevermind it doesn't matter....

Original poster
zenoushka · 20/07/2010 15:22

By the way Esme Bluebell is a lovely name!

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