A bit of a long read, sorry!
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] all! Recently I’ve been really liking the idea of a girls’ name pronounced like the [name_f]English[/name_f] word ‘lease’ (or the end of [name_f]Elise[/name_f] and [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f]). The issue is, I have no idea how to spell it.
I think the proper spelling would be Lies, but all I can think about is the word ‘lies’ when I see it. Lees looks awkward in my opinion, and like it should be said ‘leez’. And [name_f]Lise[/name_f] looks like it would be pronounced as either ‘lies’, or worse, like the word lice
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That brings me to [name_f]Liese[/name_f], which I think would convey the pronunciation perfectly for [name_f]English[/name_f]-speakers. I also like the way it looks the best. But, the proper pronunciation for this name is lees-uh or lees-eh, with a subtle second syllable, and I don’t really feel comfortable purposely mispronouncing another culture’s name. Maybe the correct pronunciation will grow on me? I don’t dislike it, I just prefer ‘lease’.
Anyway, I’d just like people’s thoughts. How would you spell this name? Is there an option I’m not thinking of? [name_u]Or[/name_u] a similar sounding name I might like? (I do like [name_f]Liesl[/name_f]/Liesel too, but not quite as much) Thank you all in advance!
My favourite spelling is [name_f]Liese[/name_f] but I pronounce it lees-eh. Maybe you might like [name_f]Ilse[/name_f] or [name_f]Elise[/name_f]?
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I’d probably spell it [name_f]Liese[/name_f], like the end of [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f]
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@ethelmary Thank you! I’m hoping that pronunciation continues to grow on me- I do like it a lot. I like both [name_f]Ilse[/name_f] and [name_f]Elise[/name_f], thank you!!
@Greyblue That’s my leading contender as well, thank you!
Hmm…tough one. I do like [name_f]Liese[/name_f], too, but I understand your dilemma. Honestly, I like [name_f]Lise[/name_f], and I have never thought of lies or lice – still don’t! To me, it just looks like [name_f]Elise[/name_f] without the E, and my guess is most people would think of it that way, too.
Really, though, if you live in an [name_f]English[/name_f]-speaking country, you could certainly use [name_f]Liese[/name_f] and pronounce it ‘lees’. [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers say [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f] like [name_u]Anne[/name_u]-[name_f]Elise[/name_f], after all. I am sure it’s fine in this case! 
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Tough indeed. I would instinctively spell it [name_f]Liese[/name_f] but I get the pronunciation issue. I still prefer that spelling though. [name_f]Leese[/name_f] also works as it rhymes with geese so people would know how to pronounce it, but [name_f]Liese[/name_f] looks better in my opinion. I like the suggestion of [name_f]Elise[/name_f] too, where you could call her nn [name_f]Liese[/name_f].
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@elanorelle Thank you! I’m glad you think [name_f]Lise[/name_f] looks okay as well.
@Kittylitter [name_f]Leese[/name_f] is interesting! I do think I prefer [name_f]Liese[/name_f], though. Thank you!
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I read the title of this ([name_f]Liese[/name_f]) as leese! I agree that [name_f]Lise[/name_f] makes me think lice. I’m assuming you don’t like [name_f]Liesel[/name_f]/Liesl?
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I’m glad [name_f]Liese[/name_f] seems like ‘leese’ to you! I do like [name_f]Liesel[/name_f]/Liesl but I like [name_f]Liese[/name_f] better 
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What about [name_u]Lisa[/name_u] with ‘Leez’ as a nickname?
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I don’t love [name_u]Lisa[/name_u], personally-- I know too many people with the name for it to feel special to me. Thank you for the suggestion, though! I like the idea of using it as a nickname, I think it would help make the pronunciation clear.
I love this! I like both the [name_f]Lise[/name_f] and [name_f]Liese[/name_f] spellings and I’d pronounce them the same. I also love [name_f]Liesel[/name_f]!
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