Who is she?

drmom · October 23, 2016, 7:47pm

See the results of this poll: Better ?

Respondents: 51 (This poll is closed)

Maia : 21 (41%)
Margot: 30 (59%)

_teenberry · October 23, 2016, 8:44pm

First and foremost, does the name sound melodic and pleasing to hear?
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]:
As it’s on my signature, it’s one of my favourites names of all time. I think [name_f]Margot[/name_f] has a unique sound that may not be totally ‘melodic’, but beautiful nonetheless.
[name_f]Maia[/name_f]:
Yes, I’d consider this very melodic and rhythmic sounding. The emphasis being mostly on both vowels, it does sound very soothing.
Does it seem ‘time-stamped’? (would it fit a 20-something-year old today, that’s usually my litmus test)
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]:
I couldn’t imagine a 20-year-old with this name. I’m probably going to sound really stupid but I’m actually not entirely sure if it was popular ‘back in the day’. I imagine Margots right now to be children or teenagers.
[name_f]Maia[/name_f]:
I could see this on an adult solely because it’s so wearable now. It’s not to unusual or unheard of, and a lot more common than other popular names.
[name_m]Will[/name_m] anyone think of the Pleiades when they see [name_f]Maia[/name_f], or think [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] when they see [name_f]Margot[/name_f] or is the nuance of name meaning of a child solely for the enjoyment of the namer?
No. Both names are recognizable and popular enough not to. I know plenty of [name_f]Maia[/name_f]'s and although I’ve yet to meet a [name_f]Margot[/name_f]/[name_f]Margo[/name_f]/[name_f]Margaux[/name_f], it’s a name known well enough to get by on its own.
Are they names fit for a leadership role?
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]:
I would say [name_f]Margot[/name_f] sounds like the name of a person quite capable of being a leader. It sounds solid without being too rigid, and is still sweet and retains girliness.
Are the names going to be butchered in pronunciation? One more than the other?
I doubt it. As I stated before, they’re both very recognizable and popular enough not to be butchered.
The DH and I travel internationally, are these names travel-easy?
I would say they’re both equally balanced. [name_f]Margot[/name_f] would be pronounced smoothly mostly in Europe, while [name_f]Maia[/name_f] will be easier in [name_f]Asia[/name_f], I would predict.

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps! I do adore [name_f]Margot[/name_f], so she gets my vote on your poll.

collmcc1 · October 23, 2016, 9:03pm

I find both names melodic. Regarding the issue of being time-stamped, I tending to think of [name_f]Margot[/name_f] as classic and [name_f]Maia[/name_f] as more trendy. I knew a [name_f]Margot[/name_f] in college and she was so fun and vivacious. We’re in our early thirties now. I’ve known several [name_f]Maia[/name_f]/Mayas of varying ages.

I think only those who spend a great deal of time on baby naming sites will be familiar with the meaning of names unless a name is derived from literature, the Bible, or pop culture. [name_m]Even[/name_m] then, some people will have personal associations with a name having nothing to do with name meaning.

To me [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is the kind of name I could see belonging to a woman in charge. It’s a little more difficult to imagine [name_f]Maia[/name_f] as a CEO or lead prosecuter.

I think [name_f]Margot[/name_f] will travel (at least in the [name_u]West[/name_u])-- unsure of [name_f]Maia[/name_f] (due to spelling)

yellowplums · October 23, 2016, 9:15pm

First, let me address your more direct concerns:

Both names are pleasing to the ear; neither sounds choppy or harsh, though [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is softer than [name_f]Margot[/name_f].
Neither is especially “time-stamped.” I know several women in their 20s/30s with both names, and a 50yo [name_f]Margot[/name_f], and young children with both names (though spelled [name_f]Maya[/name_f] int this case).
I don’t see either name being butchered. I think they’re both pretty familiar to English speakers. You could maybe get [name_f]MAY[/name_f]-uh instead of MY-uh for [name_f]Maia[/name_f]? But that’s all I can think of.
Both seem vaguely international and easily pronounceable, at least in European countries or places that speak Romance languages. [name_f]Asian[/name_f] and African language speakers might have more trouble with [name_f]Margot[/name_f], but I think [name_f]Maia[/name_f] would be relatively easy across the board.
I don’t see either of these names being a problem in a leadership position.

Now, you specifically asked about imagery and nuance regarding the names. Let me say that yes, I do think that the nuance of a name is usually a very internal thing, and might only bring joy to the namer. Most people won’t sit and list all of the things that a name reminds them of, unless you ask, and unless they are particularly good at verbalizing those kinds of associations. You can never really judge how someone will connect to a name, so I think you should focus more on your own feelings.

However, [name_f]Maia[/name_f] does remind me of the Pleiades, but also of Mother [name_f]Earth[/name_f]/[name_f]Gaia[/name_f]/[name_f]Terra[/name_f] because [name_f]Maia[/name_f] was associated with those in [name_m]Roman[/name_m] mythology, and of stars and celestial objects, and Maiasaurs, which were a maternal dinosaur, and [name_f]May[/name_f], which reminds me of springtime… I could go on. It’s a very green name to me. Very natural, serene but happy and playful and light, while still having a lot of history behind it. I like it quite a bit.

[name_f]Margot[/name_f] reminds me of family, because I’m related to one, and then pearls, and then daisies, and of course vaguely reminds me of [name_f]France[/name_f]. I think it’s strong but also unapologetically girly. I love that it means pearl/daisy. I also think it’s a very warm name, friendly.

If we’re going with analogies, [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is pink champagne, and [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is clear, fresh springwater. I don’t really see how you could go wrong with either. I would hold both for birth, unless there’s a reason you can’t, and see what fits.

[name_f]Do[/name_f] you have middle names picked out? Does one sound better with the surname?

luneth · October 23, 2016, 11:01pm

Can’t reply to all questions cuz I am on the road. I voted [name_f]Maia[/name_f], it’s more beautiful, imo, and I do think of the pleiades. I like astronomy though, hence I connect it automatically.

drmom · October 24, 2016, 9:58am

Thanks all!
I was leaning toward a [name_f]Jane[/name_f]/[name_f]Johanna[/name_f] as a middle name, MJK initials.

enwmn · October 24, 2016, 10:11am

I love both of these names but I think that [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is a bit more of an all rounder. I know [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is coming back in fashion but to some people I think it is still a little dated/time stamped and less pleasant to the ear.
I know a [name_f]Maia[/name_f] and she’s fantastic, a natural leader, funny, kind, nobody has a bad word to say about her.

Char.dy · October 24, 2016, 10:12am

I like [name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]! It’s a classic sounding name, though not heard often (not [name_f]Margot[/name_f] anyway).

While they are both pretty names, I feel like [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is a name that matures with you better than [name_f]Maia[/name_f] does.

enwmn · October 24, 2016, 10:13am

Also [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is able to be pronounced in almost every language.

emsky · October 24, 2016, 2:16pm

I love [name_f]Margot[/name_f] and am more neutral on [name_f]Maia[/name_f], however I think [name_f]Maia[/name_f] sounds more melodic and may be less ‘time-stamped’. I feel like [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is extremely in fashion now, after being out for some time. Whereas [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is more constant but never trendy. So I’d vote [name_f]Maia[/name_f] for you!

drmom · October 24, 2016, 3:26pm

Is one name more of a stand-out?

Personally, I feel like [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is so soft that it gets “lost in the crowd,” but that [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is more of a standout. For example, I feel like someone wouldn’t forget [name_f]Margot[/name_f]'s name, but might have to ask [name_f]Maia[/name_f] more than once what her name is. Does anyone else feel this way or am I crazy?

I myself am a standout person with a forgettable name.

quite_trite · October 25, 2016, 9:11am

First and foremost, does the name sound melodic and pleasing to hear?

I think that [name_f]Maia[/name_f] sounds more melodic, but that [name_f]Margot[/name_f] sounds more spunky. I do think [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is a more standout name, and that [name_f]Maia[/name_f] could be bit more ‘forgettable’ for how soft it sounds.

Does it seem ‘time-stamped’? (would it fit a 20-something-year old today, that’s usually my litmus test)

I only know one [name_f]Maya[/name_f] and I’ve heard of [name_f]Margot[/name_f]'s but never met any. I don’t think it will be time-stamped since they are names that both originate before now and have seen popularity in the past but neither of them are to 10.

[name_m]Will[/name_m] anyone think of the Pleiades when they see [name_f]Maia[/name_f], or think [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] when they see [name_f]Margot[/name_f] or is the nuance of name meaning of a child solely for the enjoyment of the namer?

I think of the 7 sisters and MANY other things for the name [name_f]Maia[/name_f]. I think of mother [name_f]Earth[/name_f], and how the name means “midwife” or “mother earth” “nurse” and is associated with spring. It’s a beautiful name, more Earthy and hippie. With [name_f]Margot[/name_f] I think [name_m]French[/name_m], or femme fatale, or [name_u]Royal[/name_u] Tenenbaums, and I see it as a strong Classic name.

Are they names fit for a leadership role?

I think they’re both good for leadership roles, but I do think the name [name_f]Margot[/name_f] sounds stronger, so I associate it with more power if that makes sense? I do think that one of the meanings of [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is actually “strong” or “great” so don’t let that stop you.

Are the names going to be butchered in pronunciation? One more than the other?

I think inevitably everywhere someone will butcher these names.

The DH and I travel internationally, are these names travel-easy?

I’m pretty sure [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is a VERY international name! I feel like it encompasses most of the continents. I think [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is easy to say and should be equally easy to learn for non-native speakers, although it won’t be a given name in nearly as many countries.

Any other images conjured???

I suppose if I were to break it down I see [name_f]Maia[/name_f] as more hippie and [name_f]Margot[/name_f] as more classic. [name_f]Maia[/name_f] is a green name, a girl who grows plants all over her house, and [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is a very stylish girl in a striped shirt.

I [name_f]ADORE[/name_f] the middle name [name_f]Jane[/name_f] though. That would make a lovely first name, not to make it any harder for you. Have you thought of doing Jain? Especially if you do [name_f]Maia[/name_f].

[name_f]Maia[/name_f] Jain
or
[name_f]Maia[/name_f] [name_f]Jaine[/name_f]

I think it looks a bit better than [name_f]Maia[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f], and there’s an earthy Jainism connection.

GOOD [name_m]LUCK[/name_m]!

southern.maple · October 25, 2016, 9:13am

I prefer [name_f]Margot[/name_f]. [name_f]Maia[/name_f] will be lost among the multitude of girls named [name_f]Mia[/name_f], [name_f]Maya[/name_f], [name_f]Mya[/name_f], etc.