Pronunciation issues baby girl names

[Pinkheather]

Originally we really like Fiadh (fee-a) for our baby girl but realised it could sound like fear in certain accents so decided against it. Now we really like Maya (may-a) but worried about people pronouncing it My-a. Wish we could find a name that doesn’t come with pronunciation issues but these are the only two names I’ve loved. What do you think?

Maya Angelou’s first name is a nn given to her as a baby by her toddler brother. He claimed her as his baby — hence Mya pronunciation.

Yes I heard that about Maya Angelou. Her real name was Marguerite. But it is also a traditional old name, pronounced My-a, in Indian culture and I think maybe in other countries too? Sometimes spelled Maia.

Then of course there were the Maya people of Central /South America. Again pronounced My-a.

I have the feeling that the May-a pronunciation is a recent invention, although I could be wrong.

I have the feeling that the May-a pronunciation is a recent invention, although I could be wrong.

We derive the English name for the month of May from the Goddess Maia, so I don't believe "May-ah" can be a recent invention for Maia/Maya. However I have only heard both pronunciations in English speaking countries - Maya/Maia/Maja always seems to be pronounced "My-ah" in non- English speaking ones.

What about Leah, you can't really say that wrong.

@Deadringer

What about Leah, you can't really say that wrong.

Lee-ah or Lay-ah?