Mahie? Do you think of the fish?

[Chailatteandbiscotti]

I’m in love with the girls name Mahi and DH seems okay with it too, the meaning is lovely in Sanskrit (we want a Sanskrit name) and we want the name to begin with M and have 2 syllables. Our preferred spelling is Mahie.

I have a few concerns:

1. I know that Mahi-Mahi is the name of a fish, is this a problem?
2. It can also be a masculine name or nickname in India and other countries, would this put you off?
3. Does it sound weird to people who have no knowledge of Indian language/ culture? The name travelling well/ being international is very important.

Thanks! :)

I didn't know it was a fish
Sounds OK to me

No, it wouldn't make me automatically think of the fish (I don't think it's a particularly well known one in the UK anyway). But it's not a name I'm familiar with and the Mahie spelling in particular looks quite nicknamey to me (maybe because it reminds me of popular Marnie), I'd guess probably for Mahala. But there's nothing wrong with it as such, and Mahi/Mahie certainly woudn't raise any eyebrows imo.

@IamnotwhouthinkIam The usual spelling is Mahi but since it can also be a masculine name in some cultures, I thought the added “e” makes it a bit more feminine. I’ve seen a few others with it spelt Mahie as well. IKWYM though, it could come across as a Nn

Mahi is also used in Greece as a girl's name, it means Battle which maybe doesn't sound great but I always thought it sounded strong and fierce

The fish was the first thing that I thought of.

I can’t see it meaning lovely anywhere in Sanskrit I’ve seen it mean earth and it is the name of an earth goddess.

In Hawaiian mahi means strong (physically not mentally / emotionally ) and mahie means delightful. Although according to google in some languages means fish.

I don’t know that it’s a name that travels really well.

It doesn't look great tbh
Mahi is quite nice but will be ruined by the English accent if that's where you live. Mahie just looks odd.

Mahi is a beautiful name. Much prefer the proper spelling - really don't like the E on the end, though.

No fish connotations either.

Makes me think of the Friends episode where the critic says Monica’s “Mahi-Mahi was awful-awful!” Didn’t know it was fish but that makes sense.

Also kind of makes me think of that terrible song:

As twatts says - that's song. It's tictok favourite at the moment

There’s nothing wrong with it, but it looks quite nick-namey and doesn’t feel international. But I wouldn’t worry about the fish!

OP I'm Indian and IMO and I think it's one of those names that sound nice when pronounced as intended but doesn't sound so good otherwise. It will end up being Maaaahi rather than a soft 'ah' sound. Similar to Ruhi, it's lovely with the soft 'oo' in an Indian accent, but in an English accent it's too often said as Rooooohie.

I much prefer it without the 'e' and it doesn't remind me of fish though if that helps.

*and IMO I think

I did think of the fish, yes.

I'm well travelled and have lived in 3 countries. I too thought of the fish!

The Mahi spelling looks masculine, short and sharp. Mahie looks more feminine, but at first look, could be a misspelling of Marnie or Maggie. I thought of Mahee, but it might get mispronounced also. If you like it, go for it, but to me it doesn't sound Indian or female.

It’s lovely. People often choose names like Olive or Sage or Bree (‘Brie’) and no one bats an eyelid even though these are edible. Lettice, Candy, Nigella.

Not to mention Ray (also a fish).
I’ve literally never heard the name Ray and thought “fish”.

No. definitely not.

Sorry. First thought is the fish

I did think of the fish. I like the name, prefer Mahi as a spelling though - much simpler and pronunciation seems straightforward. E.g Mahie - is is Ma-hee or Ma-hi?

@Nell96

I did think of the fish. I like the name, prefer Mahi as a spelling though - much simpler and pronunciation seems straightforward. E.g Mahie - is is Ma-hee or Ma-hi?

Sorry, I meant i didn't think of the fish!

I thought of the fish briefly but don't see that as a negative necessarily. I think it is quite pretty. I don't like the 'e' though... it's contrived , leave it off.

Thanks ladies! Not going for it in the end as it’s a bit risky! Might choose a longer name and have Mahi as a nn

Sounds fishy to me sorry!

I love love love the name Mahalia though... Mahie could be a nn for it?