Questions about name I finally chose....update about Soraya

Girl Names
1

Ok I am sure you all remember me from my post entitled Desperate and Devastated…and I am haunting the boards again with some questions; hope the ones that followed my other threads are not too sick/tired of me yet! Lol!

I decided to lean towards the pick of [name]Soraya[/name] (Suh-[name]RAY[/name]-uh) rather than [name]Amara[/name]…in fact, I decided I would actually pick [name]Mara[/name] over [name]Amara[/name] after all.

But I have a few questions again, as I am starting to waver…I should stop reading what people write on the name [name]Soraya[/name] on other message boards for baby names…like Yahoo Answers in particular…as people can be downright nasty over there…they are not as nice/down to earth/understanding as alot of the berries over here are…

Well down to business…

I was wondering if the way we pronounce [name]Soraya[/name] sounds like some sort of disease, even if we don’t pronounce it like So-[name]RYE[/name]-uh…which sounds like psoriasis to me…

Also, is the same [name]Sariah[/name] pronounced the same as the name [name]Soraya[/name]…the pronounciation I just noted above?

[name]Do[/name] you think the name [name]Soraya[/name] will make it so my daughter will be passed over for future jobs?

[name]Do[/name] you think there will be mispronounciation problems when she gets into school?

[name]Do[/name] you think a Caucasian girl in modern day [name]America[/name] will be able to carry this name in a pool of other uncommon names…as uncommon names are becoming the norm…so maybe she won’t look quite as unusual after all?

[name]Will[/name] she hate us for our choice?!?!

Like I said, the more negativity I read surrounding this name, I get swayed the other way of regretting it, but then when someone reassures me that it is beautiful, I love it! I am so influenced by the opinions of others for some reason on this subject and seem not to be able to make up my own mind?! It is driving my husband bonkers!

I hope she doesn’t tell me she would have rather of been named [name]Mara[/name] one day instead!

Also, we are going with the “Pleiades” meaning for [name]Soraya[/name]…not “princess”, as the latter meaning seems to be made up based on the fact that the former princess of Iran was named [name]Soraya[/name]!

It seems to us that no matter what name you choose there are pros and cons…and that kids will find a ‘nickname’ to use to terrorize the poor kid on the playground…so this is why I am asking these questions, as I do not to make life any more difficult for my newest daughter than it has to be!

[name]TIA[/name] for reading/advice and your continued patience~!

2

Sorry, I’m not that crazy about [name]Soraya[/name]. I know how hard it is to choose a name and you seem to have listed a lot of concerns over this name. Perhaps something similar in the “s” line?

Sounds a bit like “sore-eye” to me.

3

[name]Hi[/name],
I love the name [name]Soraya[/name] and I don’t think she will hate you for naming her this name. I am from [name]Ireland[/name] and I know a couple of people with this name and I think that it is beautiful. I habe only heard it pronounced the way that you are going to pronounce it - [name]Su[/name] - [name]Ray[/name] - ah.

4

I think it’s a beautiful name!

Nine times out of ten [name]Soraya[/name] and [name]Sariah[/name] are going to sound exactly the same - like suh-[name]RYE[/name]-uh.
But, if you really slow down and enunciate, [name]Soraya[/name] is actually pronounced sore-EYE-uh, where [name]Sariah[/name] remains suh-RHY-uh.

The bigger difference is that when you see the names written down, [name]Soraya[/name] is actually a Persian name. If that is not your heritage, you might feel more comfortable using [name]Sariah[/name], to avoid feeling that you might have misappropriated the name. [name]Sariah[/name] also avoids any hesitations you may have about disliking that sore-eye sound connection.

But, I see that you really like the suh-[name]RAY[/name]-uh pronunciation instead of suh-[name]RYE[/name]-uh, and I don’t think that’s actually a correct way to pronounce either of these names. If you don’t like suh-[name]RYE[/name]-uh, this might not be the name for you. I think you will likely just end up frustrated that others are “mispronouncing” her name all the time; it would be like naming your daughter [name]Jane[/name] but then insisting that it’s pronounced juh-nay.

5

[name]Sariah[/name] is pretty!

6

Personally, I am not a big fan of [name]Soraya[/name]. It sounds sort of made up to me. Sorry!! [name]Mara[/name] is one of my most favorite names. I think it has substance, and sophistication and history but also a simple, modern feel. I am sorry this has been such a hard process for you!! Good luck on sorting it out.

7

If I may offer up my honest opinion, based on what you said in your earlier thread, I think that you have already found the name that is perfect for you. I think that maybe you need to stop looking for other’s approval of your choice and just start loving it on your little girl. I understand what you’re feeling and where you’re coming from on this. I almost lost my youngest due to a very rare genetic medical condition. At this point, my DH doesn’t want to even consider more children. For a young mother who is still looking forward to more childbearing years in her future, this is very difficult to deal with. I think that some of your fears and concerns are really more rooted in the fact that this is it, you’re done, and you’re not sure if this is where you had wanted to end or even wanted it to end. As a fellow name lover, I feel your pain. I admit that I have at least 4 full names ready for future children, but chances are I will never get to use them. It’s a difficult thing to give up that hope of another future baby to name and hold and love. I love your choice of [name]Soraya[/name], I love what it means to you and your family. It’s what’s right for you, it shouldn’t matter what other people think about it - they don’t know your story or what makes it special to you. I think that you have a very special naming story to share with your daughter when she gets older and I don’t think that she will ever regret your choice of her name because she will always know how much she is loved and what her name means to you. I hope that you are able to find your deserved peace and satisfaction in your choice. I’m sending hugs your way.

  • [name]Robyn[/name]
8

I say [name]Sariah[/name] as suh-[name]RYE[/name]-uh and [name]Soraya[/name] as sor-[name]RYE[/name]-uh. Very similar. However, I like the way you say it (suh-[name]RAY[/name]-uh, or is it su-[name]RAY[/name]-uh?) better. It’s much prettier and way different than [name]Mara[/name] [name]IMO[/name], although that is a nice name as well.

I don’t see any reason as to why she would get overlooked when applying for a job or get teased for her name. Sure, she might one day hate it, but I think it’s pretty normal that people go through a brief stage in their life where they don’t like their name. I highly doubt she’ll hate you even then.

Pronunciation problems? Some, sure, but nothing you can’t fix.
[name]Do[/name] I think an American child can pull this off? Absolutely!

Hey, at least you’ll only have one child come running when you call for [name]Soraya[/name]! :slight_smile:

It’s a beautiful name if you love it, you should use it.

9

No offense to the previous posters, but I feel like they may have missed the point of your post… [name]EDIT[/name]: except the 2 most recent posts, which were written at the same time as mine)

It sounds to me like you’re look for a bit of reassurance over the (lovely!) name you’ve chosen for your daughter, after receiving some negative comments. I followed your other thread, and I understand how difficult and emotional the decision must be for you given your situation. But if I can offer two thoughts:

  1. Objectively, I think [name]Soraya[/name] is a beautiful name (ok, I’m biased because it’s only 2 letters different from my daughter’s name :). I think it will age well, and it’s a name with cultural and historical “weight” behind it - not trendy or invented. It’s distinctive without being weird or difficult to spell.

  2. Personally, I think you need to distance yourself from other people’s perceptions of the name. Their taste is not yours (especially on name boards - posters represent such a small and particular slice of society!). I know from your other thread that you chose your daughter’s name with love and thoughtfulness, so be confident in that! There will always be room for a twinge of doubt (“Is this the perfect name?”), but there is no perfect name, and there is no name that will be perceived in the same light by everyone (or even 2 people). So remember all the things you love about her name, why it suits her, why you chose it, and gradually your doubts will be replaced with confirmation that [name]Soraya[/name] is as beautiful as the little girl bearing the name.

I hope this doesn’t come across as harsh or unfair to the other posters - their opinions are valid - but this is your child. And you know your own heart better than anyone here.

Best of luck to you and [name]Soraya[/name].

10

[name]Soraya[/name] (Suh-[name]RAY[/name]-uh) [name]Mara[/name]

At first glance I said “Sor-EYE-uh” which I do not particularly like but the way you pronounce it, “Suh-[name]RAY[/name]-uh”, I do actually find attractive.

I would not have guessed the race of the child to be Caucasian with either pronounciation. That would have been the last race I would have guessed. I do not, however, find that to make the name any less suitable for a Caucasian girl so unless this bothers you I wouldn’t worry about it.

I like [name]Mara[/name] more then [name]Soraya[/name] but that is just because it’s closer to MY tastes in names.

It seems like you have beed agonizing over this name for a while and you chose it for a reason. Obviously you love it. I think you shouldn’t read too much into how other people feel about it and try and sort out the reasons that you picked that name and see if those reasons are still true. If, after that, you still have serious doubts then move on. If not then keep an ear open for others you love more but stop analizing the one you chose.

Good luck!!!

11

I think it’s pretty, and obviously, you love it, or you wouldn’t have chosen it for your daughter! It’s Arabic, so I probably wouldn’t expect to see it on a Caucasian person, but I don’t think that really matters. People might not be familiar with it and its pronunciation, but it’s a legit name, with a pretty sound, and I think it’ll serve your daughter well.

12

I would prn [name]Soraya[/name] Sor-EYE-uh and yes it sounds like psoriasis, a very nasty skin disease. [name]Mara[/name] is very pretty nad would probably be an easier name to grow up with.
Others you might like:
[name]Amira[/name]
[name]Mariah[/name]
[name]Samara[/name]
[name]Mira[/name]

13

Thanks for all the kind words once again and answering my questions/concerns that I have about my choice. I think it is the reassurance that I was definitely searching for more than anything.

I am being nosy, but if you don’t mind my asking Punkprincessphd (I hope I got the member’s name right)…what is your daughter’s name that is 2 letters different from mine?

14

Janda,

I wanted to chime in to say that I completely identify with you about being impressionable, and it makes perfect sense to me that a name that would seem beautiful to you one minute would seem awful the next because of someone’s opinion. So I agree with punkprincess that perhaps it would best at this point to try to filter out some of the more negative opinions. I think that the more unusual or unexpected a name is the more likely it is to draw some controversy (though I guess around here, popular names draw quite a bit of controversy as well), but [name]Soraya[/name]'s exoticism is part of its charm. I personally think that [name]Soraya[/name] is very pretty and that it has a beautiful meaning and history. Pronounced as su-[name]RAY[/name]-uh, it does not sound like psoriasis, nor does its spelling remind me of that word–it makes me think of a ray of sun, actually.

There’s no telling what a child might think of her name as she grows. I think our relationship with our names has to do with many factors, over and above the name itself. As I think someone said, many kids probably go through periods of disliking their name or wishing they had a different one–maybe especially in adolescence, as kids are trying on new identities. But this is developmental and doesn’t mean you’ve chosen badly (well, except in certain circumstances, such as the little boy in NJ named [name]Adolf[/name] Hitler and his sister [name]Aryan[/name] Nation, but I digress . . .). I think your little girl will come to appreciate the story behind her name–both all of the thought that you’ve put into it as well as its cultural/historical heritage. And her middle name is [name]Seren[/name], right? [name]Soraya[/name] [name]Seren[/name] is really pretty.

Best of luck to you!
H

15

I have always liked the name [name]Soraya[/name], it is a beautifully soft and feminine name.

I love the [name]RAY[/name] part because your daughter is your little [name]RAY[/name] of sunshine. I think it honors her. She is your ray of light after a very difficult time so I think it fits perfectly, not just in sound but with the history you have had in your life.

Best wishes!!

16

I love [name]Soraya[/name]!! It is a beautiful name! Go for it! In fact I’m tempted to put it on my baby’s name list (=

17

I still prefer [name]Amara[/name]. I think it’s timeless and beautiful.

I can’t help but hear “sore-eye” as well when I say [name]Soraya[/name]. And I actually had a similar problem… my boyfriend once suggested the name [name]Soren[/name] for a boy after a philosopher he likes. All I could hear was SORE, it made me cringe. BUT I also think you need to stop worrying so much about what other people think, because if you absolutely love the name, the confidence you have about it will rub off on other people. But if you don’t love it, then it might be a good idea to change it. You have to feel “right” every time you say her name.

[name]Hope[/name] that helped in some way! =)

18

There is no SORE in [name]Soraya[/name]!!

The ‘O’ is said as the ‘o’ in cot.

19

It’s not nosy! Her name is [name]Sorcha[/name], an Irish name meaning “clarity”. We’ve faced a lot of pronunciation issues (it’s “SOAR-ah-kha”), and she gets everything from Sorsha to [name]Sarah[/name] to [name]Zora[/name] to Zorka. But it still suits her perfectly, even though it wasn’t initially my first choice. Now, whenever I hear or read the name, I don’t think of the complications, I only see my daughter’s face.

And I second [name]Rollo[/name] on the pronunciation (SORE, etc). [name]How[/name] can that bother so many people when it’s also a homonym for Soar? I love that I can connect my daughter’s name to another beautiful image that way. Also, the Japanese name [name]Sora[/name] means “sky” - we use this as nickname sometimes, and I think it would work as well for [name]Soraya[/name].

Again, best wishes to you and your little girl!

20

I think [name]Soraya[/name] is lovely, as is [name]Sariah[/name]. I would pronounce the former as suh-[name]RYE[/name]-uh, and the latter as sehr-EYE-uh. I can’t imagine her getting teased for her name; in my experience, the nicknames kids come up with usually have nothing to do with kids’ real names. As for her being Caucasian, I say use it anyway if you love it! After teaching for several years, I have seen every name in the book used for either gender of any ethnicity. Names of any origin can be appropriated to a child of any race, if you ask me. Somehow, kids are always able to “grow into” their names. My husband and I are Caucasian and TTC, and we are thinking of pairing a common American fn with a Hindu mn if we get pregnant with a girl. I love your choice, and I most definitely prefer [name]Soraya[/name] to [name]Mara[/name], given the meanings of the names.

~[name]Frances[/name]