Thoughts on Amalia?

[luckydays]

That isn't a typo. We're struggling to come up with a girl's name and a friend suggested Amalia. I've never liked Amelia, but replacing the E with an A seems to make such a difference. It's pronounced like you're about to say March or mars, not like May. Possible nickname is Mali (basically Marley) but I'm not too keen on nicknames so she'd never be referred to like that (unless school friends choose to). I'm worried about it being mistaken as Amelia.

Also please suggest some other names if you can! TIA

I used to know one - I think she was Spanish. However she pronounced it AM-uh-LEE-uh. I rather liked it pronounced like that but not so keen on emphasising the second syllable.

I know one pronounced the same as pp.

You know it looks like a typo. Don’t do it.

My friends daughter has this name and really suits it, personally I think its' a beautiful name x

I think it's the name of the Dutch Crown Princess. So it's the name of a future queen. May make it more or less attractive, I don't know!

I really like it

Love it - I much prefer it to Amelia (I don't like the "meal" sound very much). Amalia well known in other parts of Europe (I think it's the name of a couple of European princesses?) but less so in the UK unfortunately.

But if you pronounce it more like Ah- Muh - Lee- ah (with the emphasis on the "lee" ) as some people do, rather than Ah - Mah- Lee- ah (with the emphasis on the "mah") then I don't think it will be confused with all the Amelia's/Emilia's. Mali is a cute nickname, although I'd chose Mai (May) probably personally.

Other similar options - Malia, Mireia, Aurelia, Celia, Cecilia, Dahlia, Thalia, Cordelia, Ophelia, Julia, Antonia, Sophia, Lydia, Claudia, Livia, Octavia.

I love it. It bugs me when people say “it’s a misspelling” etc, it’s been a name in its own right for centuries. Much classier than Amelia.

I know of a few variations of this name. My eldest had about 3 different variations of a similar name in his class.

A similar but different name is Amaya.

Lovely name and gaining popularity.

However she pronounced it AM-uh-LEE-uh

I know one who pronounces it exactly that way. I reckon she should know.

How is it classier? It's simply different.

I've never heard of it but now I've said it a few times in my head I really like the sound of it.

@midsomermurderess

How is it classier? It's simply different.

The “ah” sound is less twee than the double ee of Amelia. It’s not as common. It’s not the medical name of a birth defect. And it’s my opinion .

Much nicer than Amelia. Like a PP, I don't care for the 'meal' sound.

However, it will be misspelled and mispronounced.

If you like Mali, then use that name. It's Norwegian.

I like Amalia (with Op's pronunciation). Another alternative was I once knew an Amalaya (Ah-muh-LAY-uh) - I thought that was quite beautiful.

It's not bad but people will spell it as Amelia and think it's a typo and it will get on your nerves. My DD1 has a friend called Amara which I quite like

Marama? Pronounced with the dark A’s as in father

Just get a scramble bag and pick 6 letters and go from there.

Too close to Amelia and yet another vowel heavy name.
Shame as it is pretty.

I think it's really pretty.

Maybe Malia (like Obama's daughter) would work better?

Love it, so much nicer than Amelia. And I agree with the "much classier" opinion.

Agree that it’s nicer than Amelia.

The fact that you had to clarify in your post that it wasn't a typo probably means she'll spend the rest of her life having to do that.