Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Lejla

25 replies

Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 19:26

I have just seen this on my Facebook feed as my friend has just been to a party for a little girl called 'Lejla'. I was like... Oh no! Please don't tell me that's supposed to be Layla 😭😭😭

It is 😞

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 19:28

I'm all for unusual/uncommon names.. but this one is a bit too far, even for me!

OP posts:
daisypond · 27/07/2018 19:29

Actually, I think it's fine. It's the normal spelling in some Slavic languages.

lapenguin · 27/07/2018 19:29

I suppose it depends where parents are from... It's actually how they spell it in some countries...

Pingipinguin · 27/07/2018 19:30

Isn't it foreign?

Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 19:32

I'm led to believe they aren't slavic.. I'm 99% sure it's just to be different. Layla is a popular name where they are from so I reckon they're just trying to be different.

I know it's a really name and spelling in some countries. Like Kaya/Kaja.

I just can't get on board with people using a j for a y when they're British!

OP posts:
BendydickCuminsnatch · 27/07/2018 19:33

I’d have assumed it was a foreign spelling rather than an attempt at yooneek, plus I’d have automatically pronounced it Layla so I don’t think it’s too bad. I’ve definitely seen worse!

Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 19:33

I think I was trying to say "I know it's a real name" there haha! Jeez my spelling and sentences are always going tits up on here!

OP posts:
Quangot · 27/07/2018 19:34

I've seen Leila as a spelling before. Are you sure it wasn't a typo, with i and j being close on the keyboard?

Pingipinguin · 27/07/2018 19:34

They might have Slavic ancestry? Parents or grandparents or even great grandparents?
They could have named her after someone they know even if they're not Slavic themselves?

Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 19:36

Yeah I'm sure it's not a typo.. There are pictures with a banner showing the name written that way.

I've definitely seen worse too! I know someone who named their daughter 'Alyvia' recently 😖

OP posts:
Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 19:38

I'd like to think it's a Slavic connection but I reeeeally doubt it.

Could be worse though as people have said!

I considered the spelling Kaja to be different and then told myself off for being silly 😂😂😂

OP posts:
Pingipinguin · 27/07/2018 19:39

Well as you don't know for sure then I wouldn't judge.
Even if they have no foreign connections, it's still a name in its own right albeit in a different language Hmm

lostinjapan · 27/07/2018 19:42

It’s Jo Cox’s daughter’s name, maybe they copied it from her?

Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 19:43

It's kind of funny that you're saying not to judge when that's all people seem to do on here! I didn't really say anything nasty did I? 🙄🙄🙄

OP posts:
Pingipinguin · 27/07/2018 19:51

I was like... Oh no! Please don't tell me that's supposed to be Layla 😭😭😭

It is 😞

this one is a bit too far even for me!

You do sound like you're judging the parents when you don't know the meaning behind the name they've chosen. Even if they're not Slavic, what's the problem?

Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 20:02

Hey.. I'm sure they're lovely parents. I just think the problem is that the kid is gonna get their name mispronounced all its life for the sake of their parents wanting to be a bit different! It's the type of area where they would do that.. And the type of area where a kid would get loads of stick for it.

OP posts:
Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 20:03

Nevertheless, I'm sure it'll make for a well rounded child!

OP posts:
booniloo · 27/07/2018 20:48

If they aren't Slavic then I'd be judging... I find it actually borderline offensive when people use names from other cultures and languages just to be 'different' or 'unusual'.

Pingipinguin · 27/07/2018 20:54

@booniloo
But the OP doesn't know for sure whether they have Slavic connections.
Are you also against names like Isabel, Xavier, Raphael, Anya, Natasha, Marie etc?

ZebraKid71 · 27/07/2018 20:57

I think the spelling is fine. To be honest, my default spelling of the name would be Leila, so it's closer than the Layla spelling.

ZebraKid71 · 27/07/2018 20:59

@bonniloo There are SO many popular names in the UK which aren't British, Isabella, Sophia... Are they all offensive to you?

HeavenIsNotAPlaceAtWork · 27/07/2018 21:02

Yes but.

Lejla
Lajla
Layla
Laila
Leila
Leyla

Which is the correct spelling?

Cosmoa · 27/07/2018 21:32

I'm not offended... Chill out 😂

OP posts:
booniloo · 27/07/2018 22:20

I'm not 'against' any names but I just dislike when people ignore the culture and history behind names just to be a bit different. There are names that come from other cultures that over generations have become 'naturalised' in Britain to the point where people often don't know where they came from originally. While it saddens me slightly that those names no longer bring connotations of one particular culture that's already happened and those names now no longer automatically stand out as originating from a particular culture (to those who don't necessarily know). I was born in a country outside the UK and moved here as a child. My name is an important link to my history and culture for me and I feel like those connections are minimized when names from there are used by people with no connections to my own culture, more so when it is just 'to be unique' rather than for any meaningful reason.

Itsear · 27/07/2018 22:41

English people would be very restricted if they could only use names originating in England. Anyway ‘Layla’ is of Arabic origin, there isn’t an exact translation to Roman script and although I personally don’t like the j most people will see the name and would realise it should be pronounced y.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread