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! 😊

Like Zélie de Lussan? Why not, it's unusual but nice.

Isn't it a bit Zelie the Elephant

Bit weird if you're not French.

Zelie Alice

It's very pretty. Keep the accent, or spell it Zalie.

What a lovely name.

Never heard of it but I really like it!

Zelie Juliet
Zelie Madeleine
Zelie Lucette

Use the accent or people will say Zeelie.

Wow thanks for all your replies! I'm so happy to see such positive responses. And some great middle name suggestions too... There's quite a few I that I love! And yes I'd definitely keep the accent. As for it getting mispronounced a lot, I should have mentioned that we live abroad so even if I used a common English name she'd probably have the same problem

Love love love it! I’ve liked this name for years. I think it’s associated with Catholicism somehow but I can’t remember?

I’d keep the accent but I quite like Zalie spelling too. I haven’t seen that before.

Interesting - French Wikipedia seems to think that Zelia/Zélie is more widespread in Britain than France! Also doesn't mention de Lussan who I thought was the only famous Zélie. I think you're onto a winner OP, a genuinely nice name which isn't overused.

fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zélie

I've never heard of it before - I love it!

I think it's one of those names that is pretty in French but a lot less pretty when spoken with an English accent--which will turn it into "Zelly" to rhyme with belly and jelly, basically.

I think Azalea is nice in English.

Its on my shortlist! I love it. I would pronounce it Zee-lee. Go for it!

Keep the accent! That's how I knew how to pronounce it!

Lovely name! Definitely needs the accent.

I think it's a gorgeous name, but if you pronounced it the way a French person would, with equal stress on both syllables, it sounds a bit like "silly".

Sorry to rain on your parade!

PS, I think Azélie is even nicer!

Our DD has a similar sounding name to azelie but in Italian, her nn begins with a z also.
We went with Elizabeth (but that does also have personal meaning to us)
Remember it needs to go with her full name not necessarily her nn.
The only time I see middle names is when the full name is written officially somewhere!