Zélie

[Izzygrey]

Hello! I recently discovered the name Zélie. It's a French name (and a Saint's name). Possibly short for Azélie which is the French word for Azelea. I've fallen a bit in love with the name as it is old yet unusual, and I think it's quite soft and sweet sounding. I just wanted to know what you all thought? What would you picture if you heard this name? Thank you! 😊

Yes I think it’s rather gorgeous. I may have suggested it on here a couple of times in the past. A family member married a (French) Zélie - I had never heard of it before then.

I know a zelie (5 yo) - daughter to French parents. I love it

I used to know a lovely little Zelie, so I love it!

Are you in the UK? If so, drop the accent -
Nobody will ever get it right. Take it from one who knows!

Oh I'm so happy to hear such positive responses! Thank you! What middle name do you think would sound nice with it? I think it's a really tough name to follow (would I need to use a similarly unusual name, could I use a flower name if it's already short for a flower name, would I use something french or would that be overkill?)

Zelie Marie?

Zelie Annette?

Just thinking about what flows.

Like Ellie it will have the same problem of rhyming with smelly (my friend had years of this). But many don't. It's a cute name.

How do you pronounce it? It’s a pretty name written down.

Zee-ly or zell-y?

Actually it's more like zay-lie (although not quite)

I like it but people would forever be getting it wrong, spelling etc

A second name starting with an L would sound nice then.

Like Zelie Lou but maybe not Lou!

I know a Zaylie. Her middle name is a traditional one syllable name.

Zelie Laurel
Zelie Leila

I've never heard it before but the Zay-lie pronunciation is beautiful and elegant.

The accent makes a huge difference imo. I would pronounce:

Zélie as Zé-lie (similar to Zay but not as much a)

and

Zelie as Zellie (like Sally but with an e)

oh thats lovely

Lovely name! I’d keep the accent.

I’d also keep the accent, so that at least some of the population can immediately see how it should be pronounced.

Never seen that name before but I love it! I liked Azalea too but Zélie much prettier. I can see it being anglicised to Zelly but that's quite a nice name too!

Make your surname her middle name?

Zelie Ann

(z-a)

One of the flower girls at Harry and Meghan's wedding was a Zalie. I assumed it was pronounced like Zaylie, so almost the same as Zélie.

I really like it.

I would go for quite a traditional and longer middle name for a bit of contrast.

Zélie Josephine
Zélie Elizabeth
Zélie Charlotte
Zélie Katherine
Zélie Francesca
Zélie Madeleine
Zélie Rebecca

I would avoid anything flowery , cute or ending in an ee sound as I think that could push it over into tweeness, and anything French (unless there is a French connection).

Zélie Elizabeth
Zélie Rosalind
Zélie Martha
Zélie Ann
Zélie Frances
Zélie Matilda
Zélie Louisa
Zélie Charlotte

My OH really wanted to call out daughter Azelea (although I'm glad we didn't as it wouldn't have suited her at all!) and I liked the idea of Zélie as a nn. Although I'd have spelt it differently.