New Name... How would you pronounce it?

[elleaimeejohnson]

Heya!

My baby girl is due in January, and I wondered what you all think of the name Emmalia, and how you would pronounce it.

I'm not as keen on the emphases in the classically-pronounced name 'Amelia', but I love the name pronounced Emma-LEE-ah. Does this come across in the spelling Emmalia?

I know it doesn't really exist, but I think it's just so pretty!

Thank you so much :)

I agree with other posters, I would definitely assume that is pronounced Em-MAR-leah

How about Emelia? Or Emalia? They both still have the potential to be mispronounced definitely, but I think less so than Emmalia and I think they're both prettier written down than Emmalia

To be honest it's too close in pronunciation to a hand cream Ingredient "emollient" - I'm not sure she'll forgive you when she gets older

@CloseYourEyesAndSee

Most English people wouldn't pronounce Amalia or emmalia differently because the A and E would both sound like 'Uh'. There might be a slight distinction between them but it wouldn't be very noticeable.

True actually. I figured the double 'M' in the spelling of Emmalia would suggest the pronunciation would avoid the rhotic 'R' sound, but evidently not, haha. (I'm from Cambridge, England).

I think she will have a lifetime of telling people how to spell and pronounce it.

Having a similar name to that I can tell you she will be forever answering to Emily or Emilia if you call her that . Yes its a pretty name but its a difficult one .

@minatrina

I agree with other posters, I would definitely assume that is pronounced Em-MAR-leah

How about Emelia? Or Emalia? They both still have the potential to be mispronounced definitely, but I think less so than Emmalia and I think they're both prettier written down than Emmalia

Thank you, but I personally read 'Emelia' as 'ah-MEE-lia' and 'Emalia' as 'Ah-MAR-lia'

Congrats on the baby to come, how lovely for you! People will have different opinions on everything reg the baby, starting now, but you as parents will know what's best for her!

@Ahwelltoobad

Congrats on the baby to come, how lovely for you! People will have different opinions on everything reg the baby, starting now, but you as parents will know what's best for her!

Thank you!! very true indeed. Thank you

Why not spell it Emmaleah?

I'd pronounce that EmmAYlia. I'd pronounce Emilya as EmmEELia. You are never going to get the pronunciation you want with that spelling, and an awful lot of people will assume it's Emilia or Amelia.

@Nextchapterofmybook

Why not spell it Emmaleah?

Yes, I could do - although I can envision it incorrectly being pronounced 'Emily'. This name is such a minefield haha

My daughter is an Emilia. Her friend is nursery was Emelia, which her family pronounced Em-Ma-Lee-ah. They were both nicknamed Emmie in any event . I'm clearly biased, but the spelling Emelia looks much prettier to me than your proposed spelling.

Amalia is also a real name and probably more what you are looking for??

@Firstbornunicorn

Eh - Mali - Ah

I'd pronounce it like this.

If I'm honest I def wouldn't go for it, you'll be forever correcting the pronunciation and the spelling!

@Norabuzz

My daughter is an Emilia. Her friend is nursery was Emelia, which her family pronounced Em-Ma-Lee-ah. They were both nicknamed Emmie in any event . I'm clearly biased, but the spelling Emelia looks much prettier to me than your proposed spelling.

They're both lovely names, and Emmie is adorable! Good idea, Thank you

@Firstbornunicorn

Eh - Mali - Ah

This.

I hadn't made a connection with Amelia until you brought it up.

I'd go Emilya Emilyah

Agree with the others, your spelling reads M R lea

@Nextchapterofmybook

Why not spell it Emmaleah?

I'd pronounce this Emma-Leah. Is that what OP wants?

Malia is a name pronounced Ma-lee-ah I'd say Ops spelling brings in this to the middle. But OP it's clearly a contentious pronunciation, which I wouldn't be keen on!

*I'd pronounce this Emma-Leah. Is that what OP wants?

Malia is a name pronounced Ma-lee-ah I'd say Ops spelling brings in this to the middle. But OP it's clearly a contentious pronunciation, which I wouldn't be keen on!*
Yes! Emma-Leah is exactly what I'm after, thank you.
Totally agree though, I never envisioned this much disparity in the pronunciation!

Emm MAR lee a
Id go for
Emma~Leah hyphened for correct spelling of the name you want or
Emaleah
Emmalea different way spelling emily what about:

Emmileah
Nick names
Emma
Em
Mil
Milly
Lee
Leah!

I know an EmaLia - it's a name in the US with lots of spelling variations. It's pronounced EmmaLeah as you'd expect. There is a short statured woman called EmmaLia who's popular on Instagram too. It's not a made up name any more than all names are at some point made up

If you want it pronounced Emma Leah then Emma Leah is probably the best spelling. Then she’ll have the name you actually like.

@pianolessons1

Emma-Leah maybe if you want that pronunciation. Emmalia just looks made up or that you made a mistake on the birth cert. Please don't condemn your child to a lifetime of 'no, not like that, this is how you spell it'.

I agree. Not keen, sorry OP.

Emily, Amalia, Emilia - there are lots of lovely options but they are popular so not unusual.

I'd definitely say it like 'Emma-leah'. Think it's very clear from the spelling that should be spelled like this

I know an Emalia who pronounces like Emma-leah too.