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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

We need help naming our beautiful baby girl!

68 replies

TwoTimeDaddyo · 27/03/2024 15:21

Hi everyone, we had our little bundle of joy on Saturday and we really hoped that upon seeing her one of our names would jump out at us (they didn't- we both still just like what we like). Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Just for a little background, baby is mixed race (white British and HK Chinese) and her surname is Ross. It would be nice to have a name that's 'not too white' if that makes sense. She has a big bro named Arlo James so hoping the name will fit in with his too. Here are a list of the names we had in mind including some of the dynamics and politics around them:

  • Isla Maeve (this one is my gf's favourite, I also like it but don't think it fully suits her as it doesn't seem mixed race and it's a bit over popular atm).
  • Mayda (this is my personal favourite, it just needs a nice middle name to go with. I thought Lucy but gf does not like it. Any ideas?)
  • Leila Maeve (she does suit this name and we both like it, however it's my grandma's name and people are constantly mispronouncing it [it's "Lee-luh" but she often gets "lay-luh"] and I don't want a name that people always get wrong [although I can certainly see why they do.])

Other names further down our list include:

  • Ada (why not Mayda, I say)
  • Ida (maybe a bit too severe sounding and short)
  • Josie (maybe a good middle name because its more of a shortened name than a full name in its own right)
  • Jade (my gf thinks this is chavvy)
  • Jodie (gf also thinks this is chavvy)

Let me know your ideas guys, we can't wait to sort her name :)

Ps. I'm also going to add a little poll for mine and my gf top choice, just for fun. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TwoTimeDaddyo · 28/03/2024 20:51

MerryChristmasToYou · 28/03/2024 20:43

But how about Leala? Would you guys say "lee-luh" or "lay-luh" for this spelling?
Lee-a(r)la

I only know one Leila and she's 'leela'

I'm northern actually so if the occasional person added an extra syllable like that I wouldn't really mind 😂

OP posts:
MerryChristmasToYou · 28/03/2024 20:57

I'm northern and I wouldn't.
I ruled out names like Alexander and Cassandra because of the 'sarnd' not 'sand' issue.

Be careful with pronunciations of vowels. Names don't always sound nice in every accent.

WaltzingWaters · 28/03/2024 20:59

A couple suggestions previously posted - Mei is beautiful. And Maeve Leila.

Leila is beautiful and I would pronounce it Lee-lah.

Jade and Jodie = no.

Isla is a nice name but very very popular at the moment.

GG1986 · 28/03/2024 21:23

Layla Mae?

VenusClapTrap · 28/03/2024 21:24

I think stick with Leila and just correct people if they get it wrong. I know a Leila who pronounces it Leela and people don’t get it wrong twice - she is quite formidable!

Leala just looks weird.

Notreat · 28/03/2024 21:36

TwoTimeDaddyo · 28/03/2024 20:40

Hello again guys, first of all thank you all for your great replies, it's amazing to have so much feedback and varied opinion!
I'm new to the site but I'm hoping this post is going to tag to my first and work as an update. (If not can some kind soul point me in the right direction?)

Anyway, very interesting to see the split in opinion over Mayda. I came across the name a long time ago on a list of old English girl names, and used it for a character in a story I was writing. It means maiden and I've always kind of thought of it as a natural successor to names like Frida and Freya. That said, it's more a name I like rather than my gf, and so we're going to scrap it. Same too with Isla (she likes but not so much me).

This brings me to the point, and I final cheeky question for you if you would be so kind:
Like I said, we both really like Leila ("lee-luh"), but dislike the common mispronunciation. We also dislike the look of Leela as an alternative...
But how about Leala? Would you guys say "lee-luh" or "lay-luh" for this spelling?

Thanks a lot everyone, we really appreciate all the interest and input!

Ps. I would have asked this as another poll, but I think the site doesn't like me doing two on one post.

I would guess Leala was pronounced Lee-al-a or maybe leel-a

PrincessOfPreschool · 28/03/2024 21:38

Ive never met one who says it lee-la.

How many have you met?

I have only ever heard it pronounced 'Leela'. If you want 'Layla' then you spell it like the song. Writing it as 'Leela' is ugly and looks like you don't know how to spell it. 'Leala' is equally bad but with the added confusion of it being 'Lee-ar-la' or 'Lay-ar-la'. I do agree Leela won't be mispronounced but I also don't think Leila will be too often, especially if you correct people - and it looks so much prettier.

Moreteaandchocolate · 28/03/2024 21:43

I only know one Leila and she pronounces it Layla. I know one Lila who pronounces it Leela. It’s a shame there’s not a standard spelling for Leela as it’s such a pretty name.

PostalPanic · 28/03/2024 22:04

Leila Josephine Ross
Josephine Mayda Ross (Josie or Jo-Jo for short)
Eliza Maeve Ross

mathanxiety · 28/03/2024 23:15

Leala would be mispronounced Lee-uh-la.

How about Lela? I know one whose name is never mispronounced.

miniaturepixieonacid · 29/03/2024 02:47

I wouldn't know how to pronounce Leala and would have to ask - but then I'd know so not really an issue.

winterwarmer8274 · 29/03/2024 02:56

I would read that as

"le-a-la"

I would stick with Leila, I know another baby Leila and she is also "leela"

I have a name people often get wrong, and it's not that annoying. Once someone has been corrected once they don't really get it wrong again and it's only going to happen when someone sees it written down before hearing it.

RogueFemale · 29/03/2024 02:59

Definitely not Mayda. I instantly thought Mayda Mistake.

Layla is a name of Arabic origin, doesn't seem appropriate here.

PinkPink1 · 29/03/2024 03:08

I know one Leila and she pronounces it Lie-luh. I know a Layla too and it's pronounced Lay-luh. Never heard of Lee-luh. Maybe Anna or Lily?

OctaviaRedQueen · 29/03/2024 07:22

I would pronounce Leila as Layla.

I chose Isla over Mayda for the poll but I prefer Maeva or just Maeve. May is nice too as a first name.

menopausalmare · 29/03/2024 07:24

Leigh/ Lei.

Sashamalia · 29/03/2024 20:15

What about Aida.

I like Jade and Jodie too.

Sashamalia · 29/03/2024 20:16

What are some Chinese names that you like?

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