Zélie

[Flutterflybutterby]

Another thread has reminded me of this name and now I want you opinions on this too

I first heard the name when reading about St Zélie Martin and I love it. (Her real name was Marie-Azélie, but she went by Zélie). It's pronounced similarly to 'zay-lee'. What do you think?

I think it will be a pain because no one will know how to pronounce it, and it’s also a pet name not a name, and sounds it. If you must, I’d use the full name and this as a diminutive.

I've always thought Zélie a very pretty name.

I’ve not heard of it before I don’t think but I like it.
I would’ve pronounced it Zee-Lee.

As someone who regularly has to input names into a database... don't use an accent.

Love it.

It’s different, but easy to pronounce

It’s more Zeh lie than Zaylie - and that’s the problem - it’s a pretty name but the British will mangle it.

Not keen on the name tbh.

Love it - I love the warm sound of z.
In England it will get Zaylee but that's not so bad is it?

Great name

Oh wow!! That’s beautiful. Most people would be able to remember how to pronounce that after first hearing it, surely. French is not some alien language anyway. Most people have a basic idea. And it’s a memorable name so people will get it :)

Beautiful

@TatianaBis

It’s more Zeh lie than Zaylie - and that’s the problem - it’s a pretty name but the British will mangle it.

Yup. Though I admit it reminds me of an unpleasant money- and man-mad teacher in Charlotte Bronte’s Villette.

I know two Zélies. It's such a lovely name. Surely it is impossible to pronounce ot wrongly?

Absolutely gorgeous, I love it!

I read it as Zeh-Lee not Zay-Lee although realise now that the accent on the e changes it to the ay sound like with café. However I imagine it will be mispronunced by a lot of people when they read it but once they’ve been corrected it’s easy enough to remember.

If you like the name go for it.

Oh I love this. Is it ok if I run it past OH? We're struggling for a girl's name too!

I know a Zelie, they pronounce it Zee Lee. Nice enough.

I think it's a very pretty name, however if you're in Britain the accent on the e will probably get lost in various databases. In terms of pronunciation, I don't think anyone will get it badly wrong: at worst she may get Zellie or Zeelie on occasion. In England at least, people will probably default more to saying Zaylie than Zélie as it's a more common sound in English. But I don't think there's the possibility of it being frequently wildly mispronounced.

Fwiw, though, I think Azélie is even nicer than Zélie.

Beautiful and unusual

Gorgeous

Sounds almost like kayleigh but with a z. I think its a very pretty and unusual name.

I would think it was pronounced to rhyme with Ellie

It's nice but I'd probably use Azalea with Zaylee as nickname to make life easier.

When I saw this thread title I thought "St Thérèse's mum" and I was right! I'd assume you were quite Catholic but it's a very pretty name.

My kids have a book with girl called Zelie in it. It’s a french book and my french husband pronounces it zehlee (like someone up thread mentioned).
I don’t think it’s difficult to pronounce its just like Nellie but with a z.
I think it’s very pretty but I would drop the accent if you live in U.K. and don’t have a regular connection with France.