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Baby names

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

Zoe, Zoë or Zoey?

99 replies

BramwellHadThoughtOfEverything · 12/02/2020 06:35

Just interested to know what people’s take on spelling preference for this name is and why? When first started thinking about I realised I thought Zoë was “correct” but now from reading not so sure, seems Zoe more usual English spelling? Also something I really like about Zoey. Tempted by all 3!

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SallyWD · 12/02/2020 06:37

I prefer Zoe. The Zoes I know (one aged 9 and one aged 8) are spent like that.

CodenameVillanelle · 12/02/2020 06:37

Just Zoe
The umlaut is an affectation and the Y is unnecessary and will be annoying for her forevermore

LynetteScavo · 12/02/2020 06:52

Zoe.

Trahira · 12/02/2020 06:52

Zoe.

hen10 · 12/02/2020 06:53

Just Zoe. No need for the other bits and pieces.

CherryMaple · 12/02/2020 06:54

It’s Zoë. Without the umlaut, Zoe is a one syllable word that rhymes with ‘Joe’ or ‘toe’.

Weffiepops · 12/02/2020 06:54

Zoe

scrivette · 12/02/2020 06:54

Zoe

BikeRunSki · 12/02/2020 06:56

I agree with @CherryMaple. The umlaut is Ian indication that the o and the e should be pronounced separately.

onemachine · 12/02/2020 06:58

Zoe

CodenameVillanelle · 12/02/2020 06:59

When the name Zoe has been commonly used for decades in the U.K. where everybody knows how it's pronounced (and most people don't know what an umlaut is for anyway) the umlaut isn't necessary.

Callingallbutterflies · 12/02/2020 07:05

My youngest is a Zoey. She suits it and more importantly loves it, especially the Y! We have had very little issue with misspelling.

Peachbubble · 12/02/2020 07:14

Zoe

Poppydaisies · 12/02/2020 07:16

Zoë

Zoe rhymes with Toe!

Poppydaisies · 12/02/2020 07:43

And it's not an Umlaut but a diaeresis.

Cryxmx · 12/02/2020 07:47

Hello, I prefer Zoe I was so close to calling my daughter Zoe.

Lebkuchenlovers · 12/02/2020 07:47

Definitely Zoë!

Otherwise Zoe is pronounced like Joe.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/02/2020 07:48

I like Zoey the best.

daisypond · 12/02/2020 08:00

Zoe. The accent is a trema, definitely not an umlaut, which may look similar but is from a different language and has a different effect on pronunciation. But it looks affected in English these days. And we no longer use it in names like Chloe either.

annielouise · 12/02/2020 08:05

I think Zoë. That's how I've always known the name. Zoe rhymes with Joe. Zoey seems have taken off in America and the 'y' is an affectation (probably so the name can be said/read phonetically without the 'ë').

Jossina · 12/02/2020 08:06

Zoe

Whatsyourflava · 12/02/2020 08:11

Either but not zoey - the Y ruins such a lovely name, makes it look very downmarket sorry

Pippilangstrumpfi · 12/02/2020 08:29

Zoë is the correct spelling. And looks the nicest.

Zoey looks like an anglicisation, but at least it's pronounced easily.

Zoe looks unfinished. Unless you wan it pronounced like Toe or Joe Grin

Mamabear88 · 12/02/2020 08:50

Zoe

paintfairy · 12/02/2020 08:51

I just think form filling becomes a nightmare with the dots above the e (which I have no idea how to even write on my phone).

Everyone in the UK knows Zoe is pronounced Zoey though. Never ever heard confusion with it being pronounced to rhyme with Toe.

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