Ximena or Xiomara ?

[closetclosetcloset]

Which one do you prefer for a girl? And no, we don't really mind pronunciation issues or the fact people won't be able to say them. If people can learn to say Schwarzenegger I'm sure they can say either of these names.

Xiomara is pronounced like see-oh-mara
Ximena is he-meh-nah

It would be an average British surname with easy pronunciation. I am Colombian and DH is British and we live in the UK.

Xiomara

Awful

Xiomara

To me Xiomara flows better, but personally I like names ending in 'a' so that's probably why. I also think it would shorten easier if wanted as a teenager.

I agree that it's great you're going for names from your culture. People will get used to them. I like both but I read that Xiomara means battle ready,which kind of makes me prefer Ximena!

They’re recognisable as the names of charonte in Sherilyn Kenyans books. I love them, but not brave enough myself. I’d have gone for Artemis.

@SleepingStandingUp

Xiomara is pronounced like see-oh-mara Ximena is he-meh-nah

On this basis I like Xiomara most, I don't like the sound of the other but can't quite articulate what it is about it.

Also likely mispronunciation is Zee oh mara or Zi oh mara which isn't terribly different to the correct pronunciation but
Zi meh nah Vs He meh nah is much more different

I also prefer Xiomara, but I would absolutely mispronounce that as Zee, even reading the post through I can't match Xi to see in my head!

Another vote for Xiomara

Xiomara is prettier and British people I think would pronounce it more or less right first time. Ximena would be pronounced with a starting z probably most of the time.

Both beautiful. Flip a coin.

I prefer Ximena but both names are very nice.

I’m Spanish so would have no issue pronouncing either. Would you consider the spelling Jimena or is that not too common in Colombia? But maybe that would be just as confusing to pronounce in the UK...

People are idiots for commenting 'neither' or 'awful.'
I might do that the next time we have an 'Olivia' or 'Thea' thread. This name is important to you and both names are lindissimo. Choose with your heart. ¡Buena suerte mama!

Xiomara is beautiful! I only wish I had a legit heritage reason to use it! Gorgeous name. And yeah the character in Jane the Virgin is a badass too so even better.

Xiomara. It’s lovely.

Xiomara is lovely. See-oh-mara. She could be Ceecee or Mara as a nickname.

I don’t think the pronunciation of the other name works that well in the UK.

Ooh I love them! Xiomara would be my favourite 😍

Xiomara - beautiful and as PPs have said there’s a slight head start on pronunciation from Jane the Virgin.

I love Xiomara and could pronounce it as I work with one
She's a lovely person which will mean nothing to you but definitely influences my bias

Xiomara, because its beautiful.

The pronunciation of the other name reminds me of he-man.
He meh nah = He-man.

I think I prefer Ximena, but both are lovely.

People on MN are so ignorant about non-Anglo names. And they really exaggerate what huge problems the child will have. I know a Xochitl, pronounced like So-chee. Guess what? I heard her name once, and now I know how to say it!

I love Xiomara- it just sounds so nice!

Xiomara, beautiful name

Xiomara is a lovely name.

Ximena is one of my favourite Youtubers but Xiomara sounds gorgeous and easier to pronounce.

Can I just ask though? Why is Ximena pronounced with the “hee” sound but Xiomara with the “see” sound when they both start with “Xi”? It’s always been my understanding that Spanish is strictly phonetic. Is to do with the O? Just curious!

My first name is from my mum's culture and is spelt differently to how it sounds.
It's a massive pain in the arse. It either gets written incorrectly or mispronounced. Daily.
Don't do it OP. Don't saddle your DC with a name that people won't know how to spell or say. They're the ones who have to live with it, not you. To satisfy your sense of culture. Please don't.