See the results of this poll: Which Name/Spelling Do You Like Best?
Respondents: 51 (This poll is closed)
- Miriam : 15 (29%)
- Devorah : 3 (6%)
- Laila : 11 (22%)
- Leah : 11 (22%)
- Leia: 11 (22%)
I think a lot of people would pronounce [name_f]Laila[/name_f] as lay-luh rather than lie-luh. I’d spell it as [name_f]Lila[/name_f] to get the lie-luh pronunciation. This name is my favorite from your list either way. I do think that most people would say [name_f]Leah[/name_f] as [name_f]Lia[/name_f], and that using [name_f]Leia[/name_f] would be seen as a tribute to [name_f]Carrie[/name_f] [name_m]Fisher[/name_m].
Agree with @stellarevolution that [name_f]Laila[/name_f] will be mispronounced as [name_f]Leila[/name_f], but it is my favorite of your options. Also like [name_f]Leah[/name_f], but most people will pronounce it with a long E. It’s hard to escape the [name_f]Carrie[/name_f] [name_m]Fisher[/name_m] and/or [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars association with [name_f]Leia[/name_f], though.
[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] would be the most mispronunciation-proof (the V in [name_f]Devorah[/name_f] might throw some people off), and it feels a little less dusty than [name_f]Devorah[/name_f].
Other ideas: [name_f]Eliana[/name_f], [name_f]Eliora[/name_f]/[name_f]Liora[/name_f], and [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] (a name I’m really warming up to—feel like it’s time for a revival of this one).
Thank you so much for your responses! I love the name [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] and was considering it as well but my husband vetoed it.
I agree with [name_f]Laila[/name_f] possibly being pronounced [name_m]Lay[/name_m]-la, but I don’t know how to spell it to ensure the Lie-la pronunciation. I’ve known two [name_f]Lilas[/name_f] and they both pronounced it [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-la.
Definitely, [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]!
I love [name_f]Laila[/name_f]! I think to get the lie-la pronunciation another option is [name_f]Lyla[/name_f].
I think if you want to get to the lie-la pronunciation, you should spell it [name_f]Lyla[/name_f]. Any other way will most likely be mispronounced. I like [name_f]Lyla[/name_f]!
If you are leaning towards [name_f]Leah[/name_f] (lay-uh) I’d spell it [name_f]Laia[/name_f]/[name_f]Laya[/name_f] or use [name_f]Leia[/name_f] who cares if it looks like [name_f]Princess[/name_f] [name_f]Leia[/name_f]?