Regret over dd's name

[LaNomDeChange]

Dd is not that far off turning 2 but I still worry that I got it wrong. Her name is Lila, pronounced Lyla. My main concerns are that the pronunciation is confusing and that it's too feminine.

I knew that pronounciation could be an issue before she was born but I just preferred to spell it the way we did. I didn't realise it would worry me so much.

A few months after dd was born I read that Taylor Swift's parents named her Taylor because it's unisex and wouldn't hold her back if she chose a corporate career. Then I read about a man with a feminine sounding name who got a lot more interviews once he changed the name on his cv to a more masculine sounding one. Ever since finding that out I feel like I've reduced dd's chance of getting a successful career. I can't stop worrying and it's too late to change.

Nothing wrong with a feminine name. Doubt it would stop you getting to the top of a chosen career path.

Lila is lovely!!!

Google Bloombergs list of the 15 highest paid female global executives and you will find some very feminine names populating that list!

I don't see Lila as a name that would cause significant pronunciation issues. I also don't see it as an overly 'girly' name. E.g. I see it as less girly than a lot of -ie or -y endings e.g. Molly, Maisie etc (not intended to offend anyone) Lila is feminine certainly but I wouldn't call it 'girly'. I also don't see the that it would be a name that employers would discriminate against - does that really happen anyway? She may be discriminated against on the basis of her gender (sadly), but not her name, I don't think.

My dd's name sometimes gets called 'chavvy', but whatever. It's her name and I don't think it will hold her back, she's awesome! for feeling anxious

Lila is an absolutely beautiful name, why would you change it? Your choice was excellent, don't doubt yourself now! If you did change it now, it would be quite confusing for her at the ago of 2 I think, anyway.

Yes it is definitely a female name, without being too frilly, and hurray for that, (I am not too fond of unisex names and surnames for first names). I can definitely imagine a strong woman called Lila, head of a corporation or something in future years.

Thank you everyone who has replied. Just to clarify I do love the name and I don't have anything against feminine sounding names, it was just when I read about Taylor Swift's parents I started obsessing that I'd done dd a disservice.

Thank you everyone who has replied. Just to clarify I do love the name and I don't have anything against feminine sounding names, it was just when I read about Taylor Swift's parents I started obsessing that I'd done dd a disservice.

Oops managed to post too soon and post the same thing twice!

FreedomIsParamount I'm anxious about everything atm but I didn't realise it when I started this thread! I over think things at times and the prospect of teaching an entire vocabulary seems like a mammoth task. I know they pick stuff up more than being directly taught things I think I need to stop thinking about that. She's coming along fine so far, there's no concerns.

Dh's family, well they just won't change. They've never really taken to me tbh but I thought they'd make more of an effort with dd. Dh's attitude is that it's their loss. Usually it doesnt get to me but for some reason everything is getting to me atm.

Thank you everybody who says they like the name. It really honestly has made me feel so much better.

When I think I barely knew who Taylor Swift was a year ago and now I'm doubting my dd's name because of something her parents said.

Try and remember that it's not exactly teaching the child a language, just talk to her and she'll pick it up. I used to just chatter away to mine, telling him what I am doing as I'm doing it ("and now we're going into the sitting room, what's in here, oh there's the sofa, let's sit down" just inane things like that), pointing at things and describing them etc. Don't stress about it, well try not to anyway.

And it IS the grandparents loss. Ignore them as best you can. Some people aren't worth the head space.

I've got a very feminine name. I also have balls of steel
Don't worry.

Lila is a lovely name, and I agree that there's nothing wrong with having a feminine name.

Thank you all, I feel so reassured. (That is completely non-sarcastic btw, sounds a bit sarcastic when I read it back).
And thank you, freedom, you're completely right.

Am I the only one on thread who hasn't a clue how OP says Lila?
I know how to pronounce Lilah which sounds nice enough to me.

Lie-la I would guess. That's how mine is pronounced anyway.

I have to agree with everyone's comments, that Lila is a beautiful name :) in fact the more I read your DD's name the more I liked it, so I have just added it to my list to tell my DH later :)

I work with Pre-school children, and I wouldn't worry about 'teaching' Lila words, she is at the age where she is like a sponge and will naturally copy and pick up on words. Freedomisparamount that is a perfect example of what to do, continually talking to your children, even about washing the clothes, is so beneficial to your children (you may feel silly doing it, but when they repeat the words abck you will be so happy). You probably don't even realise that you are doing it all the time LaNomDeChange. Reading and writing is for reception age so don't worry about that either.
I would also like to add that changing her name at the age of 2 would be so confusing for her as well - stick with it :)

I don't think the name Lila will affect her getting a job at all...I believe the person makes the name...when she goes for an interview, she will be the one getting herself the job not her name :)

As for you OH's parents, well I have to agree they are the ones losing out, and that's not fair on Lila, but as long as you and you OH give her love and your family then I wouldn't worry.
Hope you feel better soon :)

Lila! What a beautiful name! It is feminine, but not overly so. And that article about Taylor Swift's name is just one of many articles on names... I don't believe you've done your daughter a disservice (and my girl has a non-girly name).

As for teaching her words... Just dont. All you need to do is talk to her. You don't even need to alter the way you speak to her, just speak! That's all. Nothing to worry about, she'll pick it up, no problem. (Children learning languages is very different from adults doing so, so let go of your preconceptions of it being 'hard' to learn a language)

Try to relax, and take everything one day at the time, but if you do think you suffer from actual anxiety, please do speak to your partner and a GP about this, as you don't need to 'suffer' -you can get better. X x

Yes I pronounce it lie-la too.

Thank you blah and d115

Lila. Lovely name. Much better than bloody Taylor

just Nc for this. Lila is my name! I love it, I don't feel it's overly feminine, and I have a good, independent and strong career, I currently work for myself and am successful in what I do, and have never had issues getting jobs in fact I have always been inundated with work and had more job offers than most people I know!

Mine is pronounced Lee-la, however people are constantly mispronouncing it Ly-la, lilia, lisa etc etc. After a lifetime of this you get used to it! Don't stress. It's a lovely name and your daughter will one day be grateful to you. When I was called it no-one had this name, so it was very unusual and I found it a little difficult growing up due to this. However it seems to be a bit more popular these days and loads of Lilas seem to be popping up all over the place, more with the Lyla pronunciation so people will probably get it with time anyway.

It also means lots of different things in different languages - purple, past-times, dark haired, night etc which is pretty cool. :-)

Lila is a beautiful name. I really wanted Leilani but DH wasn't on board (funny surname) so we went with Lillian instead. Very feminine, a little old fashioned (the doctor always looks at the older ladies when he calls her) but perfect for her. Just like Lila is perfect for your little one. It really is lovely x

Lila's beautiful, and I think it's a strong name, too. A name like that can take your DD anywhere.

It's a beautiful name. And by the weird rationale of Taylor Swift's parents should we all have boyish names to be able to get ahead in life?!? If you think about it that's potty.

that is a weird thing to think, isn't it cornberry!? i was a bit confused when i read that bit. You could apply that rationale to anyone about any name related to anyone famous!? so pick any popular celebrity with a girly name and the same logic would say everyone needs a girly name. etc etc.

Lila, is so much nicer than Taylor!

It's a strong but pretty girls name, without being too frilly or popular.