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Baby names

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Original poster

Leah, Lia, Lea?

51 replies

NZmum40 · 07/09/2021 05:11

Thinking of using the name Lea but not keen on the traditional spelling with an H on the end.
Partner prefers the spelling Lia but I feel like it reads as 'liar'
Others thoughts please?

Lea vs Lia

Or other spelling suggestions?

OP posts:
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Noshowwithoutpunch · 07/09/2021 18:55

Has to be Leah imo.
Lea is definitely Lee to me.
Lia just looks weird.

Noshowwithoutpunch · 07/09/2021 18:56

I know a Leigha.

Roselilly36 · 07/09/2021 19:00

Lovely choice OP, however you choose to spell it.

Original poster
NZmum40 · 07/09/2021 19:08

Thanks all, the name is definitely a top contender in our baby name list! X

OP posts:
CandyFIosss · 07/09/2021 19:23

I really find it surprising that anyone would assume Lea is pronounced Lee. I think it's obviously Lea. Like Lea Salonga and Lea Michele. Not that unusual.

It’s lee, as in dairyLEA

daisypond · 07/09/2021 19:49

I really find it surprising that anyone would assume Lea is pronounced Lee.

Because Lea is a word in the dictionary, meaning both a meadow and also a unit of measurement. Both are pronounced as Lee.

Synchrony · 09/09/2021 09:45

Yeah but no-one names their child after units of measurement. In the context of a name, I know of three Leas and they all pronounce it the same as Leah. I don't know any who pronounce it Lee (although doubtless some exist).

peaceinourtime · 09/09/2021 12:35

Leia is nice, I knew one at school.

Blubells · 09/09/2021 14:15

I really find it surprising that anyone would assume Lea is pronounced Lee.

I would. Like Bea or Tea!

I prefer the spelling Lia. Like Mia but with an L

NotAnotherBloodyNameChange · 09/09/2021 14:24

@peaceinourtime

Leia is nice, I knew one at school.
But (Princess) Leia is pronounced differently to Leah.
Fluffypastelslippers · 09/09/2021 14:26

I really find it surprising that anyone would assume Lea is pronounced Lee.

Pea? Sea?

I think it's obviously Lea. Like Lea Salonga and Lea Michele. Not that unusual.

Lea Salonga pronounces her name LAYA. There is a video on you tube clarifying.

Blubells · 09/09/2021 16:32

I really find it surprising that anyone would assume Lea is pronounced Lee.

Actually most words with -ea are pronounced -ee. Tea, Sea, Pea, Plea etc. So I would definitely pronounce Lea as Lee

Original poster
NZmum40 · 09/09/2021 22:23

Ok just to add another spelling option to the mix...
Léa

Does the little do-hickey above the 'e' help with the pronunciation?

We are actually considering another French girls name which also has one of these along with a traditional Māori name (if it's a boy) so we are quite happy with the use of them when spelling / writing names.

OP posts:
sprinkleyumnut · 09/09/2021 22:26

None of them. It's Leah imo but that's my opinion. It's completely up to you, name your child what you want and don't worry about anyone else.

Blubells · 09/09/2021 22:27

Léa is pronounced Lé-a

I thought you wanted it pronounced Lee-ah?

HairyPotter · 09/09/2021 22:28

Lovely name but prefer the usual spelling.

daisypond · 10/09/2021 01:06

Léa is better than Lea, but it’s pronounced more like Lay-a.

ShuddaBeenMe · 10/09/2021 06:17

Lia is li a to me, like liar.

Lèa is Le-a not Leah.

CraftyBugger · 10/09/2021 06:24

What about Leigha?
I know a few with this spelling that don't have any issues with pronunciation. They only need to spell it to those on the phone but that would be the same with Lia and Lea.

HungryHippo11 · 10/09/2021 06:32

Leah is definitely the nicest and least ambiguous for pronunciation.

HungryHippo11 · 10/09/2021 06:35

@daisypond

Léa is better than Lea, but it’s pronounced more like Lay-a.
Yeah I would also say laya because that é is pronounced like "ay" like in blasé or paté.

I would also strongly advise against "dohickeys" in names as it just causes a headache when filling in online forms which don't recognise them, or when spelling her name out verbally to anyone.

Synchrony · 10/09/2021 10:22

@Blubells

I really find it surprising that anyone would assume Lea is pronounced Lee.

Actually most words with -ea are pronounced -ee. Tea, Sea, Pea, Plea etc. So I would definitely pronounce Lea as Lee

But they're not names. You wouldn't pronounce Thea, Rhea or Medea as Thee, Ree or Medee.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter. The pronunciation of plenty of English names is ambiguous and Lea is clearly one of them. As is Leah (Lee-ah/Lay-ah). Whichever spelling is chosen, the pronunciation and spelling will need clarifying, and once that was done for the first time I can't imagine it would be difficult for anyone to remember.

RuthW · 10/09/2021 17:53

@Jemma2907

I'm afraid I think the traditional spelling is the only way her name won't be mispronounced. I read Lea as L-ee and Lia as Liar. It depends how much that would bother you I suppose.
Exactly this.

Lea = Lee
Lia = Liar
Leah is the only one really

daisypond · 10/09/2021 18:21

You could maybe use Lía. It’s Spanish, I think.

loosestrife · 10/09/2021 21:53

From the beginning of the thread I was planning to suggest Léa, which is a popular name in Quebec, but you beat me to it.

There it's pronounced like Princess Leia, of course, but still a lovely name.