Inès or Mia?

[NameChange30]

Which name do you prefer: Inès (with or without the accent) or Mia?

We are a French/English family, living in England, so the name needs to work in both languages. I think Mia is easier to pronounce and spell. I worry that a lot of English speakers might struggle with Inès?

(Don't even know whether I'm expecting a girl yet - it's very early days - but I'm struggling with first trimester exhaustion, nausea and anxiety, and shortlisting baby names is cheering me up )

[NameChange30]

"Why cater to the lowest denominator?"

Good point. But also... I find people annoying at the best of times and I don't know if I will be able to deal with people informing me I'm pronouncing my own DD's name "wrong"... not politely anyway

[TatianaLarina]

You've answered your own question, as that's not how it's pronounced grin Not in France and not by the majority in the UK either.

I’m half French, my aunt is called Inès. In the UK she’s called Eenez. In France it’s more Eeness but there’s not much in it.

There are differences I can get worked up about like pronouncing Amélie Amilly or Anaïs Annay but not this one.

[NameChange30]

It's a girl! I was going to wait until my 20 week scan but it's been such a tough week that I decided to book a private scan to find out.

I'm delighted! Now back to the Inès / Mia dilemma...

[CuppaZa]

Ines. Loads of Mia’s around. Most I know I bitches but that’s by the by

[Whatsyourflava]

Much prefer Mia ❤️❤️

[KittyJune]

Ines, for sure! Mia is so overdone.

[s3tut0y3r]

I prefer Mia, but this seems more Italian than French. What about Anstice, Delphine or Angeline?

[NameChange30]

Never heard Anstice! They're all too French though

[percheron67]

Inez definitely. Mia is done to death.

[s3tut0y3r]

Annette? Not too French and very pretty. Anstice might be breton

[userabcname]

Oh god not another Mia! Please!!! They are everywhere!!!

[NameChange30]

I think Annette is an old lady name in France.
Contrary to current trends, I don't really like old lady names. I like short and simple. It's tricky.

[s3tut0y3r]

Ok. How about Zia? It's short and zappy and from Latin so French ish...

[theschoolonthehill]

Ines. I really dislike Mia. It sounds so incomplete. If you really like it, then Maria is far prettier and more solid.

[BellsaRinging]

Team Ines here-it's beautiful!

[NameChange30]

Hmm Zia is an interesting one thanks.
Not sure about Maria but couldn't use it anyway.

[Chinks123]

I’ve only heard Innes- the Scottish boys name, and it’s pronounced In-Ez, so I imagine you’ll get a lot of people mispronouncing it.

I wouldn’t worry though, I have a Mia and people manage to say that wrong a lot too.
People can say any name wrong, my brother is Sean and today the Postman asked for “Seen”
So just go for what you like.

[NameChange30]

my brother is Sean and today the Postman asked for “Seen”

🤦🏻‍♀️

[Chinks123]

Brilliant isn’t it @NameChange30, he gets it a lot. I think it’s because Sean is spelt like bean, which to be honest doesn’t make much sense.

[MikeUniformMike]

Ines, but you will get problems will spelling and pronunciation. (I-nezh )
Mia has been tarnished by it's popularity and sounds like Mere.

There are some lovely French names that would work in the UK.
Not RTFT.

[copperoliver]

Mia. X