We love the name [name_u]Reese[/name_u] for a girl, and my husband stumbled upon [name_m]Emrys[/name_m] and he read it as [name_f]Em[/name_f]-[name_u]Reese[/name_u] and really liked it. I have looked the name up and found its traditionally for a boy and is pronounced [name_f]Em[/name_f]-Riss in its country of origin. But could it work for a girl…and the other pronunciation?
I think the em- beginning gives it definite potential to be used as a girls name…but I think most would assume the original pronunciation of em-riss…
Could [name_u]Emery[/name_u] work for you as an alternative?
It would work for me! I had it on my list originally. But my husband insists on having [name_u]Reese[/name_u] or at least that sound in the first name. We have considered hyphenated names and some other alternatives. I thought maybe this could be another to add to the list of considerations.
Perhaps [name_u]Emery[/name_u] with a MN starting with S could enable the sound of [name_u]Reese[/name_u], and the potential to use that as a nn?
So you want to take a name from another culture, use it on the wrong sex, AND pronounce it wrong? Nice.
I personally wouldn’t as it’s in the top 1000 for boys in the UK and on the rise. I would suggest a unisex surname name like [name_u]Emery[/name_u]. Keep in mind that [name_u]Rhys[/name_u]/[name_u]Reese[/name_u] and similar [name_u]Bryn[/name_u] are pretty exclusive to boys in [name_m]Wales[/name_m].
I have only known men in their sixties with this name. It seems very odd to me to use it for a girl and maybe verging on disrespectful to discard its history and pronunciation. What about [name_f]Emma[/name_f]-[name_u]Reese[/name_u]?
I think its a bit too well known to be pronounced wrong. I think using it for a girl is okay, but em-reese isn’t the intuitive or the original pronunciation. I’ll second the suggestion of [name_f]Emma[/name_f]-[name_u]Reese[/name_u].
I don’t mind the gender as much as I mind the pronunciation.
I can see [name_m]Emrys[/name_m] on a girl, but it being pronounced as [name_f]Em[/name_f]-[name_u]Reese[/name_u] might be too far of a stretch.
IF YOU LIKE IT, YOU USE IT. That’s my rule.
This. I think using a name from another culture is okay, but the original gender and pronunciation should be respected and upheld.
If you want to use a name from another culture I think you should respect its gender and pronunciation. I’d suggest Carice (cah-[name_u]REESE[/name_u]), [name_f]Clarisse[/name_f] or [name_f]Marisa[/name_f] (mah-[name_f]REE[/name_f]-sah) instead. [name_f]Iris[/name_f] could also give the nickname [name_u]Reese[/name_u] if pronounced the [name_m]French[/name_m] or Spanish way.
I guess I’m in the minority here when I say: sure! I’m from the southern USA and if I saw [name_m]Emrys[/name_m] I would have prn it [name_f]Em[/name_f]-[name_u]Reese[/name_u] first try.
It’s got a great meaning, gives you a few nns, and I’ve never met anybody with the name (male or female). To me, the name is like a blank slate. 
isn’t this like, aporpriation??
Isn’t that what all names are??
That’s what I thought too…but apparently have upset a few people! 
You asked “yes or no” in the title, so be prepared for some people to say no and explain why.
[name_f]Em[/name_f]-reese sounds fine to me. In fact, I think I’ve heard it pronounced that way on a young boy (I live in the Northeastern US). [name_f]Caitlin[/name_f] was originally kath-leen, but Americans mispronouncing it actually produces a cool name. If you’re in the US, I’d say go for it. If you’re in the UK, the name is apparently too well known to change.
A few people have said yes, it’s fine, because where they live there’s ignorance about the name anyway, BUT if you do want to use it I would definitely consider your daughter before making the choice. She may grow up to be a big traveler, or move to a different city or country where people [name_f]DO[/name_f] know the name and depending on her personality it could be pretty uncomfortable or even embarrassing for her to be questioned about her name or receive comments about how she has a male name and she’s not even pronouncing it correctly.
Parents can name their kid whatever they want and choose to disregard the history of any name, but it’s the kid who has to go out into the world with it. I think the [name_f]Emma[/name_f]-[name_u]Reese[/name_u] suggestion is a great alternative.
Purposely mispronouncing a name is silly to me. I would go with the [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_u]Reese[/name_u] suggestion.
When you first saw the name it was a blank slate to you. Now you’ve come here on the forum and have found out about it’s history and traditional use, as well as it’s current status. To consider [name_m]Emrys[/name_m] a “blank slate” at this point is something called willful ignorance.
You’ve been told not to use the name in a disrespectful way. “If you like it, use it” is a rule that only applies until you find out that you shouldn’t use it for one good reason or another. I’ve heard more than one good reason stated here.