We learned of this name through a popular youtube channel and really love it. Seems to be super popular in [name_m]Israel[/name_m], but not so much here in the U.S. While we don’t mind the spelling, chances are no one will pronounce it correctly (pronounced “E” as in the letter + “la”). Any alternative spelling ideas? Or thoughts on using a name with unfamiliar spelling? Or maybe similar sounding names? I was thinking [name_f]Ilah[/name_f]? Or [name_f]Elah[/name_f]?
So it’s basically like [name_m]Eli[/name_m], but with an -a ending? I think I’d probably pronounce it correctly if it were spelled [name_f]Elah[/name_f], though that seems like it could be easily confused with [name_f]Leah[/name_f]. The most literal spelling, Eelah, is unique but maybe not that attractive. Names that are mostly vowel sounds are always hard to spell in a way that won’t still require quite a bit of correction.
I actually do know a girl with this name!
I think it’s one of those things that you might just have to tell people how to pronounce upon a first meeting.
[name_f]Ilah[/name_f] or Iilah might work.
Iyla?
I grew up with a friend Hila, pronounced just as it looks: HEE-lah. I don’t think Hila is that complicated. A double L would make it [name_m]HILL[/name_m]-ah, but as it is Hila reads just fine.