Considering changing Ayla’s spelling to avoid mispronunciation

[RiverStoneNotes]

Hi everyone, I have a nearly 9 month old called Ayla pronounced eye-la , her grandad is Turkish hence the spelling but I’ve found a lot of people mis pronounce even once I have told them, I don’t want this to be something that my daughter is constantly having to battle with all her life, I know I should’ve thought about it sooner but I didn’t have a great post partum experience. The trouble I’ve got is what I would change it too and how difficult this would be, I would still want the same pronunciation as she knows her name, the main dilemma is her middle name is Lisa after her late Grandma and I feel like Isla and Lisa clash next to each other. Also I already have her passport so not sure how I would go about that. Suggestions are much appreciated thank you!

I know of quite a few little Aylas recently - I don’t think it’s so unusual now, so this may improve. Until this thread I hadn’t considered there was any other way than eye-la to say it! Ay as in Aye or Nay. I think way better to keep her connection to her heritage and a name you loved than to worry about having to correct pronunciation occasionally.

But the ay in aye and nay is pronounced differently?!

I have to say I would have assumed ayla was pronounced with the first syllable like nay, but once told I’d say it right.

Like another poster I’ve done supply teaching and with any name I’m not sure of (half the class in some schools!) I would say ‘is it…’ and let them correct me.

I had to scroll through responses to see how people could possibly mispronounce. I wouldn’t change it. Also it’s not feed poll within first 12 months I don’t think.

I’d have assumed it was ay like in hay too, but would definitely change once I’d been told. I’d keep it as it’s a nice way to spell it and love the fact it honors her heritage.

if you really wanted to change it, I like PP suggestion of adding a Turkish name between Isla and Lisa, if the fact they have the exact same letters bothers you, you could also use the Islay spelling - pretty common here in Scotland as it’s the same as the island.

Also just adding, when you have a new baby you are constantly introducing her to the world. As she gets older she won’t meet new people every day and most of them will be told her name, rather than seeing it written first. So this won’t always feel like such a problem.

I'd have pronounced Ayla as Ay-la rather than Eye-La.

Aila is quite common where I live (Ay-la)

This is a good point.

Middle names really don’t matter and no one knows them any way.

I’d find it hard to remember to pronounce with an I sound than the Ay sound because I’ve read the clan of cave bear series which is where I first came across this name.

Ayla is a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning. You'll lose that meaning if you change it to Isla.

People will learn how to pronounce it.

Ayla is a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning. You'll lose that meaning if you change it to Isla.

People will learn how to pronounce it.

I have an Isla.
We lived in Germany for several years and many people there couldnt get their head round the pronuncuation. She became Izzy!!

So keep her Turkish name.

I would leave it be. I read it the way you say it so the majority of Brits should too. And once people know her they will know her name. It’s not a big deal to have to correct people’s pronunciation… lots of people have to do it from Naomis and Sians to Niamhs and Saras.

My son has a name that is constantly mispronounced where we live in Scotland. It is a relatively common surname and pronounced differently to the first name. I always pronounce it correctly and it amazes me that people can hear me say it and immediately mispronounce it - like I don’t know how to pronounce my own son’s name?!?

However after 15 years I’ve made peace with it. I guess it’s not too late for you! Sadly I wouldn’t be able to spell his phonetically as it would sound too weird.

Up until she goes to school most people will meet her name aurally not in its written form so will hear it as the Turkish Ayla. By the time she is at school she will be able to tell people what her name is!

Don’t change it OP. I know an Ayla who is half Turkish and half English and I think it’s a beautiful name that will connect her to her Turkish heritage.

Isla Lisa works well imo, and I gotta admit I read the name exactly like most people do at first before you explained the actual name. Changing the spelling now would be a good idea. As for the passport, I think it'll be fine, passports get renewed for various reasons, probably you'll just need to pay the fee of £99. I think you'll be able to use even the same picture (if not, you can take one yourself, here are some tips for that).

Please don't change it, OP. You chose it because it has family significance for you, and that's important. It's also a nod to that part of your dd's heritage.

Lots of people will pronounce it correctly anyway, or else they will check when they first meet your dd. Some might mispronounce it the first time but then remember the right pronunciation once corrected. The people who persist in mispronouncing the name even after having been told are really not worth bothering about in any case.

People may be confused by Ayla because it's also a Hebrew name, pronounced Ay-la (first syllable rhymes with say or may), as well as the Cave Bear connection. But there are plenty of names with more than one legitimate traditional pronunciation: Eva, Louis, Naomi, etc. If you love the Turkish name Ayla, I'd keep it as is and just tell people how to say it when needed. Isla is a completely different name, and unless you live in Scotland there's a fair chance of getting Iss-lah or Iz-lah anyway.

Leave it! It’s a special name linked to your heritage. Honestly, people will mispronounce all kinds of names. One of my DC has an unusual name but the pronunciation is clear from the spelling - yet people still get it wrong! Don’t alter your daughter’s name. You’ll be changing it for no reason as I promise you some people will still get it wrong.

Leave it! it has cultural significance to your family! Just keep educating people on its pronunciation!

If non-Irish people can get their head round Niamh and Siobhan, there is hope for non-Turkish people and Ayla!

I also agree that Isla Lisa looks a bit… unimaginative?

@OriginalPedant , You’d have to change via deed poll. Not true.

@Griselinia , Iyla? Looks like Lyla and would probably get said as 'How do I say that?'. I wouldn't have a clue - Ee-yla? Eela?

Thank you everyone I think I’m going to keep it as it is 🥰 she has a Turkish surname so it does make sense, also I agree Iyla would just get confused with Lyla and I’d have the same problem lol🤣 if people can’t manage to get it right they’re not worth it

I think it's lovely as it is, it would be a shame to change it.