I have always liked the the name [name_f]Leah[/name_f]. It has the qualities I like…classic, sweet and simple, but have doubts about using it because of the meaning “weary, tired”. I came across the name [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] which has a similar sound and nice meaning, but not sure what image people have of this name. (I would pronounce this (uh-[name_u]LEE[/name_u]-uh)
I generally don’t like trendy pop-culture names and wonder if this name is seen this way because of the singer [name_f]Aaliyah[/name_f]. I thought of using an alternate spelling like [name_f]Aleia[/name_f] to distance it from the singer [name_f]Aaliyah[/name_f]'s name. What is your impression of this name? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you automatically think “trendy, pop-culture” when you hear this name?"
Honestly if you are going to use this name you need to use the traditional spelling to not confuse pronunciation. [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] makes me want to pronounce it uh-lie-uh and [name_f]Aleia[/name_f] makes me want to pronounce uh-lay-uh, Most people won’t remember [name_f]Aaliyah[/name_f] and if so the people who do remember her fondly so it’s a not a massive deal. I don’t think it sounds very trendy I think it sounds very elegant.
[name_f]Leah[/name_f] seems more 90s vibe to me, and [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] seems more modern. I would pronounce it uh [name_u]LEE[/name_u] uh. I don’t think of the singer when I hear it. I like the [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] spelling, but I think my favorite is [name_f]Aliya[/name_f].
I want to avoid names like [name_f]Neveah[/name_f], [name_u]Jayden[/name_u], [name_u]Aiden[/name_u], etc that were got very popular and trendy very fast and soon after, everyone hates these names now. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] is in that category or not?
I really like the spelling [name_f]Alia[/name_f] for this name—and it has its own provenance (so it’s not just an alternate spelling). The Nameberry page says [name_f]Alia[/name_f] is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable, but the one I’ve met in person pronounced it like you do [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f].
To answer your question, I do associate the [name_f]Aaliyah[/name_f] and [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] spellings with the singer, and yes, I think pop culture/trendy. It’s a pretty name regardless.
I think [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] is very beautiful. I immediately think of the singer, but that’s not a negative association at all. It is a bit trendy, but I wouldn’t put it in the same league as [name_f]Neveah[/name_f], [name_m]Jaxon[/name_m], [name_m]Caden[/name_m], etc; it’s more on par with names like [name_u]Harper[/name_u], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Leila[/name_f], etc. Recognizable, but not uber trendy. Pairing it with a more classic middle name might help to offset that pop-culture feel. [name_f]Aleia[/name_f] looks like (uh - lay - uh) to me, so I would probably stick with the [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f]/[name_f]Aliya[/name_f] spelling.
I have come across several with various spellings - [name_f]Aaliyah[/name_f], [name_f]Alia[/name_f], [name_f]Alya[/name_f], [name_f]Aliah[/name_f] etc. Along with other current names such as [name_f]Aria[/name_f], [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], [name_f]Alana[/name_f], [name_f]Elaina[/name_f], [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Talia[/name_f], Taleah - such similar sounds are everywhere right now and that makes it seem very trendy to me. Though of course there’s nothing wrong with trendiness necessarily either - but it’s choosing it with your eyes open so you’re not surprised if that’s what matters to you.
It’s true that E names and names with the ell and lia sounds are trending, but that doesn’t bother me on names like [name_f]Oliva[/name_f] and [name_f]Elena[/name_f] because they don’t have their image tied to pop culture, but they are just popular. I’m just not familiar enough with the name [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] to know what kind of image it has for most people. Does it feel like one of the innumerable modern made-up names?
The only people I’ve ever met with this name are in their early 20s. I don’t know what to make of that information, though. Guess it’s kinda trendy? I’d find it less odd on a child than just plain [name_f]Leah[/name_f], but I like [name_f]Leah[/name_f] more. A [name_f]Leah[/name_f] would stand out a lot more than an [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f].
I also think it falls in the very trendy category, sorry! I’d pronounce [name_f]Aleia[/name_f] as al-ey-ah and [name_f]Alaya[/name_f] as ah-lah-yah. I actually kind of like the [name_f]Alia[/name_f] spelling. Names you might like are [name_f]Liana[/name_f], [name_f]Liane[/name_f], [name_f]Emilia[/name_f], [name_f]Adelia[/name_f]/[name_f]Adalia[/name_f], [name_f]Rosalia[/name_f], [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f], [name_f]Cecelia[/name_f], [name_f]Celia[/name_f], [name_f]Lilia[/name_f], [name_u]Ilia[/name_u]
[name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] strikes me as the name of a modern, elementary school-age girl. To me, it sounds very trendy and “made-up” even though it’s not. I would roll my eyes at this name. I also think it sounds very African-American, which you may be or may not mind, but I personally would find the name odd on a white child.
[name_f]Leah[/name_f], on the other hand, is much more classic, simple, and works for all ethnicities. Personally, I wouldn’t let the “weary” meaning deter you. There are many solid, time-honored names that have negative meanings.
Compared to some of these, “weary” doesn’t seem so bad. After all, you could also put a positive spin on it. Maybe [name_f]Leah[/name_f] will be “weary” of the negativity in the world and seek to change it?
To me [name_f]Aliya[/name_f]/[name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] is just another nice Jewish name meaning to ascend. I have a [name_f]Leah[/name_f] and the meaning weary may also me delicate. There is also the Akkadian meaning of Ruler which is where the name likely originated. It doesn’t bother me. For those meanings that say cow, the cow they are refering to is actually a beautiful graceful gazelle and was a highly prized animal. I think the name is rather positive actually
I don’t think [name_f]Aaliyah[/name_f] is a bad association (also she isn’t exactly a major name in modern pop given her passing in the early 2000s.)
But if the association really bothers you then opting for [name_f]Aleia[/name_f] instead of [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f] is totally sound. [name_f]Aleia[/name_f] is an attractive spelling, some may say uh-lay-uh but that should be easy enough to correct.
Also I agree with pretty much everything serenityg said!
Yep sorry I would definitely place this in the trendy category. I work in an elementary school and this Is one of the most common names (at least in my area) though I don’t think it registers as high on the popularity charts because of ALL the spelling variations.
Though I do think it has a pretty sound I would suggest going with a longer name like [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] and using the nickname [name_f]Lia[/name_f].
I love the name [name_f]Aliyah[/name_f]. I did think of the singer when I saw your post, but don’t think that should keep you from using it. I would pronounce it uh-lee-uh.