Scheherazade

[Allthatglittersisntart]

This is one of the only names I can agree on with my DP,(both Persian and an example of strong heroine who is a powerful storyteller) however I think it is only suitable as a middle name.
I have tried to explain to my DP that it is hard to pronounce and that it would become ‘Shahza’ however he doesn't understand what is wrong with that and I struggle to explain.

I’m afraid you’re right. I have a really easy name and surname (thanks to my DM, my DF wanted to give me an outlandish name).

It's not so much people pronouncing it right as once you have said it once they will get it but the spelling. Both learning to spell it as a child and continuously having to spell it out as an adult. I have a long surname that needs to be spelt out and it gets old fast.

No I don’t want it to be Shahza but I was afraid it might become that.

I love it and would use Zadie as a nickname

"Zadie"? Not sure if the people posting this realise the "a" is long (as in "father"). But it doesn't make sense, it's like nicknaming your child "-Son" or "Ova".

I like the name written down... But, I think it's a mouth full and I struggle to pronounce it.
Disclaimer: English isn't my first language and even in my mother tongue I struggle.

However having said that, some of the alternatives and nickname suggestions are lovely! So if you can live with a potential short version, go for it!!

Could shorten it to Zade or Zadie.

It will probably be anglicised anyway if you are in the UK, so use the shortened version you like first so her friends don't chose one you don't like.

I really like it, and Zadie is a great nickname - pretty, easy to pronounce, easy to spell.

She'll love writing that out in infant school.I wouldn't.

Interesting, how would it be spelt the “English” way?

Shehrazad?

Of course the French don’t pronounce Hs so the “her” wouldn’t be pronounced in French.

I know someone with this name - she uses Sherry.

I think it's a lovely name.

It's a beautiful name. I have a pretty common name but still get asked to spell it. It doesn't bother me. If you love it (and it is lovely) then use it. Other people will cope, after all we all learn to spell as children, don't we? So surely we can continue as adults?!

So like Sonny, the not uncommon Western name and perfectly valid nickname for names such as Jackson?

Makes sense to me…

Beautiful name. As you are both Persian, I wouldn't hesitate.

BUT if you are living in the UK I would certainly choose a nickname that you both like, and that you would be happy to hear as her every day name if she so chooses.

When kids start school, in my experience there is a formal name and a "known as" box, so your daughter could be the "known as" name, with the choice of using her full name or a different nickname when she's older.

I love the suggestion of Zadie above.

To add: I've never heard it said, and I had the pronunciation in my head incorrect. I'm a native English speaker but know German. I thought it was pronounced according to German phonetics, so: Sh-hera-zar-de.

Guys, "Zadie" (with a long a) doesn't work as a nickname unless you're going to butcher another language and culture, which is not the done thing these days. Something about colonialism something something something.

I knew a Scheherezadeh. She shortened it to Zadeh for everyday use.

I know, just call her Cityborn, Born for short.

@Allthatglittersisntart , call her Zara. The persian connection won't be recognised by most, and the only spelling/pronunciation issues will be with Sara.

And she'll probably get 'like the shop' quite often.

The Mia/Mya/Maya/Maia and Lily/Lyra/Lila type names are probably more confusing

This

'She-her-a-zaid'
Is how I read it.

Sounds like a Pokemon tbh.

@madeinmanc I am in awe of your linguistics knowledge 😍

I can see the appeal of the name, it looks imposing and grand, but I would find it a bit of a mill stone. It wouldn’t be a case of ‘tell people how it’s pronounced once, job done’. Lots of people would need to be told several times. And that’s just the pronunciation. The spelling would be mangled on a daily basis too.

Im sure you can work it out with your superior intelligence and language knowledge 🤗

Exactly, people are saying Zaid because of the 'zadE'.