Questioning Eulalie

Girl Names
1

[name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] has long been at the top of my list. I found the name in my husband’s family tree (great-grandma’s middle was [name_f]Eulalia[/name_f]) several years ago and immediately latched onto it. An interesting, melodic name with a family connection! Well, now that we’re in the thick of ttc, I’ve started to look at it a bit more critically.

The main problem is this: Whenever I think, “this is my daughter [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f]” or “Can you watch [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] for a moment?” I feel a little awkward, and if I think about a birth announcements, I feel the rumblings of defensiveness and self-consciousness brew in my chest. However, I still love this name and don’t want to let it go. I know some of these feelings are due my personality and the novelty of motherhood, but I think I may also have concerns about how approachable [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is and what images it may conjure. It’s certainly the least familiar name I’m considering right now!

So, please share any visions, images, traits, or abstract ideas that come to you when you hear [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f]. There are some specific connotations that I’m afraid of, but I won’t share them here so as not to prime anyone :).

NB: For aural clarification, my preferred pronunciation is YOU-luh-lee, although wouldn’t mind others pronuncing it you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-lee

2

I said “you [name_m]LAY[/name_m] lee” in my head when I read the name, and it reminded me of ukelele. I like your pronunciation better.

3

I think it’s rather difficult to say. It will be a name that almost no one will catch when heard aloud (despite the British [name_f]Princess[/name_f] by the name). It’s sweet and elegant, but it does come with some issues.

4

It is awkward to me when I say it out loud, and I think you’ll have a lot of pronunciation issues, unfortunately. I think it’s better suited for a middle, but if you really love it I’m sure you could make it work

5

You could nickname her Eulie. I’ll be honest, for all the trouble, [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is worth it. It’s so pretty.

6

I think it’s a very sweet name. I think once people heard how to pronounce it, there wouldn’t be too many problems. I personally prefer the you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-lee pronunciation and think there will be less confusion.

7

[name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is gorgeous. I do think it might cause some confusion when people first meet her but nothing too burdensome. What does your husband think of the name?

8

I think it is a rather pretty and unusual name. I think I prefer the yoo-lay-lee pronunciation though. Eulie for short would be so cute. People might find it tricky at first but I’m sure they will get used to it. Plus it has family history for you. I say go for it

9

[name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is one of my favorite girls names, and i also prefer the pronounciation you do! I do think it may cause some pronounciation issues, but i don’t think it’s too hard to be used. if the prn issues bothers you, you can always find a cute nn or use [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] as a middle name/nn. but i think if you’re ok with the prn issues that may occur, it’s a lovy choice!

10

I agree - I think you should stick with it since you have loved it so long. People figured out how to say the likes of [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] and [name_f]Siobhan[/name_f]; I think they can roll with this one. My guess is that you’re going to get the you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-[name_u]LEE[/name_u] pronunciation more often than not, though, since people are relatively unfamiliar with the name.

For what it’s worth, I would always, always prefer to meet a neglected beauty of a name like [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] or [name_f]Xochitl[/name_f] and have to learn how to say it (but then remember it from then on because I only knew one, not six). I would much rather see you go with [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] than add yet another [name_f]Emma[/name_f], [name_u]Addison[/name_u], or [name_f]Kaylee[/name_f] to the sea of them just to make strangers happy. [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is different, yes, but it’s not crazy out-in-left-field different. People will adjust.

11

I think [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is a stunner! It may seem like a heavy name for a baby, but that’s what nns are for. Lalie or Eulie are so sweet. I also say you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-lee, but I’m sure people will be able to adjust to your pronunciation. I don’t think [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is too out there. I think it is an awesome choice.

12

It’s kind of quirky, but I actually really like it. I’m sure people will get used to it when they actually get to know your little [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f]. Aside from Eulie, I also think you could pull nn [name_f]Lily[/name_f] from the pronunciation you prefer? Although it’s a bit of a stretch, atleast she will have something more “mainstream” to go by if she might not like her unusual name when she’s older.

13

[name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is so pretty. I think it’s definitely worth using even if there are occasional pronunciation issues. It’s easy to say so there shouldn’t be too much of a problem and you’ve loved it for so long so I’d say go for it.

14

[name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is gorgeous! I say it either you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-lee or ooh-LAH-lee, depending on which language I’m speaking (English or [name_m]French[/name_m]). It’s not terribly well-received in [name_f]France[/name_f], but I think [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is the most breathtakingly gorgeous, ethereal name I’ve ever come across, and I would be tickled pink if one of my friends said, “Oh, this is my daughter [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f]” or “Hey, [name_u]Ash[/name_u], can you watch [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] for a second?” :slight_smile:

I would have absolutely no second doubts about [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f]–in fact, your thread has inspired me with [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] myself, and I may have (fingers crossed!) finally found my perfect mn for [name_f]Adele[/name_f]! I would love to meet a little [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f].

My only hesitation with YOU-lah-lee is that it sounds a lot like “eulogy” to me. :frowning: I much prefer you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-lee or oo-LAH-lee. Sorry. But otherwise, I adore [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] and picture the sweetest, most adorable little girl.

I sort of envision a little [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] to look like this:

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Maybe sort of stoic, but also feminine and artistic with a very kind heart and a deep love of reading. She’s an awesome big sister and loves to help mama in the kitchen (and anywhere, really!). [name_m]Science[/name_m] and art are her favorite subjects in school, and if she comes from a religious family, I can see her getting involved in just about any ministry opportunity her church would let her into. :slight_smile: I envision her with a little brother named [name_u]Max[/name_u] (short for [name_m]Maximilian[/name_m]!) who teases her and complains a lot, but it doesn’t phase her at all. She’s very calm deep down in her soul. If [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] was a song, she’d be Beethoven’s Moonlight [name_f]Sonata[/name_f], and if she were a painting, she’d be [name_m]Vincent[/name_m] van Gogh’s [name_f]Starry[/name_f] [name_m]Night[/name_m], and if she were a part of nature, she’d be the constellation of [name_u]Orion[/name_u]. :slight_smile:

15

Oh my gosh! I just wanted to chime in and say I could have written this post exactly as it is written. Wow. My only difference would be I tend to prefer the you-lay-lee pronunciation & this name isn’t in our family tree. :slight_smile: But the melodic, ttc favorite name >> to the recent doubts…all of it ! I’ve since added [name_f]Orla[/name_f] to my top in case I change my mind on [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f], but i’ll be following this post closely. I absolutely love it!

16

I have trouble with a lot of names similar to this.
[name_f]Eulalie[/name_f], [name_f]Tallulah[/name_f], [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f], [name_f]Eliora[/name_f], etc.

I had a speech impediment as a kid and these kinds names really bring those memories back! I still have a hard time saying them, especially quickly.

I have a great aunt named Eulamae, which doesn’t trip me up as bad.

It is pretty, but it’s very hipster feeling to me.

17

Wow, that you all for the responses! I actually hadn’t really considered mispronunciation to be that big of a deal for this name. My own name gets pronounced slightly differently depending on regional dialect and it’s never bothered me too much. I think I’m mainly concerned that it’s not approachable or comes off as haughty in nature.

@natalie6 - yeah, I’ve heard that comparison, but it doesn’t bother me too much :slight_smile:

@ Blade - I had no idea there was a British princess with this name! I’ll have to look her up. I’ve yet to find a name without some issue, sadly. I’m glad to hear you find it sweet and elegant and not unapproachable, saccharine, or supercilious! Those are my primary concerns right now, I think

@meyera4 - yes, I’ve thought about it for a middle, but I think I prefer it as a first. I tend to like more uncommon names up front and more classic names in the middle. Both husband and I have names that follow this pattern too.

@amberdaydream - Eulie is adorable! I also like [name_f]Lolly[/name_f] and, for more professional settings, [name_f]Eula[/name_f]. I’m glad to hear that you think the name is worth it despite pronunciation issues :slight_smile:

@lovebugsmama - The you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-lee pronunciation has been winning me over recently, but I heard YOU-luh-lee first and it has my heart. If others call her you-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-lee, I’d be fine with it and I’d hopefully raise her to be accepting of her names many pronunciations!

@southern.maple - Haha, I think it will be tough to get husband to have a real conversation about names until we get a positive pregnancy test. BUT, I do think I have him tentatively ok with it (I may have gaven him a lengthy lecture on how it is uncommon but follows current trends of being ‘l’ heavy and beginning with a vowel, haha).

@wimbledonberry, @kimmigrace, @hardertobreath, @bedhead - thanks for the votes of confidence!

@ziggywiggy - yay for YOU-luh-lee pronunciation!

@melusina - Quirky is not a bad thing for me at all - pretentious and vapid are what I’m worried about I think. The [name_f]Lily[/name_f] nn would work, I agree, especially given the [name_m]Edgar[/name_m] [name_m]Allen[/name_m] [name_u]Poe[/name_u] pronunciation of the name (you-LIH-lee)

@ashthedreamer - Wow, what a stunning response, thank you! I like your description very much, but what’s not to like, haha. My own is an out of date [name_m]French[/name_m] name (think de Beauvoir), so that may be a fun connection? My pronunciation is actually based on the [name_m]French[/name_m], I think (I lived in [name_u]Paris[/name_u] for while way back when. I’m glad that I could inspire!

@m_rae - Oh, that gives me comfort to hear of someone else in my plight, haha! Perhaps we can help keep each other courageous, if it ends up being the best choice. [name_f]Orla[/name_f] is very sweet :slight_smile:

@ Kayla_way - Hm, that’s a really good point, and one I’ll have to think about more. It would be horrible not to be able to say one’s own name. I wonder why it sounds hipster - because it’s uncommon?

I’d love to hear whether there are any other comments out there!

18

I think [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is a really cute name. I do think there may be some pronunciations or spelling issues, since it isn’t a very mainstream name. I don’t think thats a huge deal. Most people just have to be told once before they get it.

But it’s such a cute, spunky little name. It conjures up the image of a little girl with pigtails who likes to pick flowers by the riverside.

19

I realize this post is a few days old and already has dozens of replies, but I had to chime in - I love the name [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f]! It’s at the top of my list, after my great grandmother. I personally have [name_f]Effie[/name_f] on my list as a nickname, which may be a huge stretch but I love it. My g-grandmother went by a nickname ([name_f]Lulie[/name_f]) so the first time I ever heard of her full name it was written down. My initial reaction was something along the lines of “huh, that’s weird” but it didn’t take long for me to begin to really love the name. [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] is a beautiful name with lots of nickname options if you’re creative about it.

20

I think it’s a beautiful name, but there most definitely will be spelling and pronunciation issues.

There’s always going to be someone that won’t like the name you choose - Someone will roll their eyes. I just told my mum the name I’ve chosen for my daughter and she very clearly tried to change my mind immediately to [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] (a name I’ve never even liked)

It’s awkward sometimes knowing that people will judge your name choice, but don’t let that deter you from something you truly love.

It sounds to me like your heart is set on it, and why shouldn’t it be? It’s lovely.