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.

Inès or Mia?

96 replies

NameChange30 · 10/01/2020 21:30

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 Smile)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NameChange30 · 24/01/2020 20:01

"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 Grin

OP posts:
TatianaLarina · 25/01/2020 11:14

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 · 21/03/2020 12:27

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...

OP posts:
CuppaZa · 21/03/2020 12:30

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

Whatsyourflava · 21/03/2020 14:17

Much prefer Mia ❤️❤️

KittyJune · 21/03/2020 17:06

Ines, for sure! Mia is so overdone.

s3tut0y3r · 21/03/2020 18:15

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

NameChange30 · 21/03/2020 18:19

Never heard Anstice! They're all too French though Grin

OP posts:
percheron67 · 21/03/2020 18:20

Inez definitely. Mia is done to death.

s3tut0y3r · 21/03/2020 18:28

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

userabcname · 21/03/2020 18:33

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

NameChange30 · 21/03/2020 18:39

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.

OP posts:
s3tut0y3r · 21/03/2020 19:25

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

theschoolonthehill · 21/03/2020 19:32

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

BellsaRinging · 21/03/2020 19:35

Team Ines here-it's beautiful!

NameChange30 · 21/03/2020 19:52

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

OP posts:
Chinks123 · 21/03/2020 19:58

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 · 21/03/2020 20:04

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

🤦🏻‍♀️Grin

OP posts:
Chinks123 · 21/03/2020 20:07

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 · 21/03/2020 20:12

Ines, but you will get problems will spelling and pronunciation. (I-nezh Confused)
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 · 21/03/2020 22:54

Mia. X

New posts on this thread. Refresh page