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Original poster

Name wobble....

68 replies

Sall23 · 08/04/2021 10:08

I had been pretty set on calling my little girl May, but my husband has just said that he now also likes the name Phoebe, which he had previously vetoed. Our other DD is called Nia. So, now I'm having a bit of a wobble - which name:

Phoebe or May?

OP posts:
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Edenember · 08/04/2021 10:13

I personally prefer Phoebe and stylistically it goes better with your daughters name. However, if you were both set on May you may regret not using it.

ChelseaCat · 08/04/2021 10:19

100% Phoebe

MindyStClaire · 08/04/2021 10:21

I much prefer Phoebe, especially because May is so popular for middle names at the minute it feels a bit of a filler name if that makes any sense. Phoebe is lovely.

babynamelover · 08/04/2021 10:22

Phoebe for me too.
I like Maeve a lot would be lovely with Nina.

sarah13xx · 08/04/2021 10:50

I like May 😊

FelicityPike · 08/04/2021 10:51

Phoebe.

Violetlavenders · 08/04/2021 10:52

I much prefer May.

I really dislike Phoebe.

MindGrapes · 08/04/2021 10:57

"May, Nia! Tea's ready!"

Sounds like Mania together - sorry.

MindGrapes · 08/04/2021 10:58

But if you're not keen on Phoebe, can you come up with a third option?

Original poster
Sall23 · 08/04/2021 11:06

@MindGrapes

"May, Nia! Tea's ready!"

Sounds like Mania together - sorry.

Yep, I had clocked the 'Mania' thing - found it quite amusing, but would definitely have to say the names the other way around!
OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 08/04/2021 11:09

Phoebe.

Original poster
Sall23 · 08/04/2021 11:12

@MindGrapes

But if you're not keen on Phoebe, can you come up with a third option?
Third option is Leila, which DH really likes, but I much prefer May or Phoebe.
OP posts:
CaffiSaliMali · 08/04/2021 11:22

I think May goes better with Nia than Phoebe. Presumably they'll be Nia and May rather than May and Nia given Nia is the eldest. Also, if pronounced correctly, Nia doesn't sound that much like the end of mania as Nia ends what an 'a for apple' sound and mania with an 'uh'

What about Mai (pronounced My) which is Welsh for May? That goes nicely with Nia as they're both Welsh, vowelly and short.

So you like May and DH likes Phoebe and Leila - what else do you like? Seems only fair that you both have two names each in the running.

CaffiSaliMali · 08/04/2021 11:23

At least mania ends in an 'uh' sound in my accent Smile

SweetAsANutt · 08/04/2021 11:40

I prefer Phoebe but I do like May too.
Leila is pretty. My sister is called Laila and she suits the name.

CaffiSaliMali · 08/04/2021 11:43

With further thought I think in a lot of accents Nia will be pronounced more like 'near' than 'knee-ah'. So probably will sound like mania if May's name is said first.

I like both Phoebe and Leila but I prefer Phoebe. Leila seems to have two pronunciations - Leela and Layla. I pronounce it Leela as that is how the Leila I know pronounces it but my mother would say Layla. Maybe because in Welsh the letters E and I together make an 'ay/ey' sound like in hay/hey and day.

KoalaOok · 08/04/2021 11:56

Leila or May

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 08/04/2021 12:00

May defnitely for me - classic, elegant and very underused as a first name (but the fact it is so popular as a middle means it doesn't sound dated).

Phoebe is okay, but has two lots of strong "ee" sounds which I'm not as keen on personally, plus it also blends more into the "ee" sound of Nia, where as Nia and May sound more distinct.

KirstenBlest · 08/04/2021 12:02

Phoebe. No keen on May.

Flymetothestars · 08/04/2021 12:10

Phoebe
Love it

mamablondie33 · 08/04/2021 12:12

May but the Mae spelling is nicer IMO.

Phoebe doesn’t really go with Nia, Nia & Mae are a lovey combination!

KirstenBlest · 08/04/2021 12:30

The Mae spelling is awful

AnyaMoondial · 08/04/2021 12:36

I think May is lovely ( this spelling).

Phoebe is good too though.

KeepSmiling89 · 08/04/2021 12:39

Someone mentioned May as a middle name so how about Phoebe May?

BellaVida · 08/04/2021 12:47

I like May and Phoebe.

Would Maisie be an alternative?