Xyla

General Name Discussion
1

[name]Just[/name] when you think I’ve decided on a name…Grr…

With 4 weeks left until she’s here, I’ve found another name I like: Xyla (pron. Zie-lah, rhymes with [name]Isla[/name])

For me, it’s a cute alternative to [name]Isla[/name] (which I absolutely [name]LOVE[/name] but the potential popularity of it makes me shy away from it) and it starts with an X. I already have [name]Xavier[/name] [name]James[/name] and I did want to honor him somehow because he’s truly an amazing kiddo!

WDYT? Is it “trendy”? Or too different?

Her full name would be Xyla [name]Francesca[/name] [name]Belle[/name].

2

Uh, no. There’s a difference between honoring your son and hijacking his initials. You don’t want children with the same initials. The difficult pronunciation and that you’ll always have to explain it are red flags. Save yourself by sticking to [name]Isla[/name].

3

I didn’t ask what your opinion was on children with the same initials. [name]Nor[/name] did I ask for pronunciation opinions.

And it IS honoring…hijacking initials?!? WTF…

4

Dear, there’s a difference between honoring and redundancy. The vulgarity in the end isn’t becoming w/your WTF. You also posted this twice on this board and the girl’s names one. She was wasn’t saying anything mean but you’re taking this a bit too personally. You had to spell out the pronunciation which will be difficult for many honestly. [name]Do[/name] you honestly want a bunch of kids with the distinct initial X (a la X-men) before them? I’m being tough but fair: Xyla’s much worse than [name]Isla[/name] honey.

5

But seriously…did I ask for opinions on the initials?? No, honey. And does it matter that I posted in 2 rooms? A lot of people do that. I’m not asking for an opinion on initials.

6

You brought the initials into it by mentioning your first child’s name [name]Xavier[/name]. It therefore IS an issue. It’s your child. Go ahead w/Xyla if you want. You’ll just have to see how cruel the bullies in your local playground will be with it. Take care dear. :slight_smile:

7

Unfortunately I think Xyla comes off as made-up, ergo trendy. I don’t really dislike it personally, though I don’t totally see the appeal. It sounds like the first part of the word “Xylophone”, which isn’t a bad thing, but I think you can do better. Your son has a wonderful, classic name. [name]Xavier[/name] is so strong and sophisticated. Your daughter deserves the same. You can honor your son in a number of ways:

  1. Give her an “X” middle name. [name]Francesca[/name] is a beautiful name and I think it’s lovely with [name]Xavier[/name]. Same with [name]Isla[/name]. You could go with [name]Francesca[/name] Xyla [name]Belle[/name] or another another X name, like [name]Francesca[/name] [name]Xanthe[/name] [name]Belle[/name] or [name]Isla[/name] [name]Xanthe[/name] [name]Belle[/name].

  2. Give her a J middle name to match/honor her brother’s. [name]Isla[/name] [name]Jessamine[/name] [name]Belle[/name], [name]Isla[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Belle[/name], [name]Francesca[/name] [name]Jillian[/name] [name]Belle[/name], etc.

  3. Give her a name of her own but let your son have some say in it (of course if he’s old enough). Let him help choose her middle name from a list of ones you like or even her first (from a list obviously) if you’re confident.

[name]Hope[/name] that helps!

8

Wow, lots of strong opinions. I think Xyla is very pretty, and knew how to pronounce it just by looking. I’ve never met anyone with this name, but I have always liked it and thought it nice. I think Xyla [name]Francesca[/name] [name]Belle[/name] is really lovely! I don’t think it sounds trendy, nor do I think it sounds made up, but I can see how people would see that.

My problem with it is the initial thing, which I know you don’t think is a problem. Some people like matching initials and some don’t. It is something to consider – if you have more children will you stay with X? That’s my only issue with it. I’ve just never liked matching initials. The name itself is lovely, [name]IMO[/name].

9

I agree with lieseysmom- it is a very pretty name and I had no trouble pronouncing it either. I also can’t imagine why any kid would tease her. But do consider- if you have more children, would you feel obligated to find another “X” name? If that doesn’t concern you, go for Xyla.

10

Goodness! :shock: Where’s all this hostility coming from? I have never seen a mother’s personal choice been so disrespectfully criticized on Nameberry! Totally abhorrent names are met with the diplomatic “not my style,” so I don’t see why this name, or this mother, which is really not so “out-there” deserves this response. After all, how many times have I read on here “If you love it, use it,” or an urging not to let others dissuade you from a name you love?
Ok!
I think Xyla is a cool name. I too automatically knew how to pronounce it. I also think that [name]Francesca[/name] and [name]Belle[/name] in the middle are beautiful choices. And people constantly honor family members in their name choices, so is honoring your son really all that different? I think it’s kind of nice. Also, people give all their kids the same first initial all the time, so I really don’t know what people’s issue with that was. The only thing to think about is whether you’d feel obligated to continue with X names for possible future children. There aren’t that many of them…
Xyla doesn’t quite make me think of [name]Isla[/name], but rather seems like a twist on [name]Kyla[/name], which is a completely different feel. Though when I hear Xyla, a sort of artistic, free spirit-y picture comes to mind.
Here are some other X possibilities:
[name]Xenia[/name]–I knew a girl in college with this name, and she was complimented all the time.
[name]Xandra[/name]
Xylia–really close to Xyla, but a distinct name, believed to mean “of the forest”

11

I love that suggestion of [name]Xenia[/name]! And [name]Francesca[/name] imo does sound lovely with [name]Xavier[/name].

So my initial thought was that “Xyla” has a very beautiful sound. Immediately following was that it is the first syllable of xylophone. Zaela? It’s probably way on the tryndi side but it would get you the same sound if that’s what you wish. Come to think of it I think that spelling just visually looks bad, but it’s a start at least.

Another thought I have: If you are naming a child to honour an older child of yours, won’t this second child feel (at some point in their life) that they were only wanted in order to honour their sibling? It might not do much for their self-esteem is all.

If you are going to pick the name (in this instance specifically) for the sound of it rather than honouring a sibling then I am more in favour of it than otherwise.

12

I also like the name Xyla. This is my first time hearing about it too. Still, I immediately knew how to pronounce it. It has a really spunky and feminine feel to it. I would say it sounds unique, but in a good way. I don’t understand why people are being so harsh about it either…lol. Oh well, I like the name. Go for it :slight_smile:

13

[name]Hi[/name] there!

While Xyla doesn’t seem hard to pronounce (in my opinion), I think it’s easy to tell that’s made-up. But like another person said on here, there are some other close names! I’ve heard of Xylia, and I think it’s beautiful. Maybe that’s a good alternative. [name]Isla[/name] is also very beautiful…if you really love it, don’t hold back!

Good luck!

14

geez people - lets give this woman a break! all she did was ask a simple question about a name just like we all do. I too thought the first two comments were harsh and uncalled for. geez!!!

As a person whose name begins w/ an “S” ([name]Rose[/name] is made up) who has two siblings who also have names beginning w/ “S” I don’t see why a person having two kids w/ names starting w/ “X” is an issue at all.

I really like [name]Isla[/name]. The only concern I have w Xyla is that your daughter would have to constantly tell people who to pronounce her name. However, that is the case w/ many many people in the world (I am a teacher and I have 30 students this year - yes, I counted - w/ names I had never heard of before). So if that doesn’t bother you go for it. And good job on your son’s name! :slight_smile:

I love Anisten which is also thought to be a “made up” name :slight_smile: To each their own! :slight_smile: I always think that naming your child is like choosing your wedding gown. People may appreciate the name (or gown) you chose, but they’ll never truly love it like you do b/c otherwise, they would have used it themselves! :slight_smile:

15

I think it’s cute! I understand how you want your daughters initials to be the same as your sons. I don’t see it as too much of an issue. In fact, my hub’s brothers all have the same initials ([name]Jacob[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name], [name]Jackson[/name] [name]Byron[/name], [name]James[/name] [name]Balthazar[/name]), and it never bothered any of them. As for pronunciations, it may take some reminding, but it’s nothing to be worried about. :wink: Take care!

LexiLee

16

Maybe it’s because I’m a younger sibling but I wouldn’t want to be named after my brother. You know, sibling rivalry. It would lend itself to the younger one always feeling inferior.

That aside Xyla seems like a fine name, kinda cute in fact.

17

Like the other posters I knew how to pronounce the name once I saw it. I can’t see it pronounced any other way but people butcher my name([name]Dayton[/name]) so I can see how they can butcher this gorgeous name. I don’t see Xyla as a trendy/made up name at all I just think its a beautiful unique name. And like one of the posters I do think of a little artsy girl walking around with it. Now I also wouldn’t want to be named after my brother but you don’t have to tell her that till she’s older :wink: . All and all Xyla [name]Francesca[/name] [name]Belle[/name] is PERFECT!

18

Too much with another X name sibling what about Zyla. Or [name]Zora[/name] or [name]Zola[/name] or [name]Ziva[/name]. Or choose another initial which is underused ie Q or Y or U.

19

I like Xyla. English is not my first language but I don’t think I have a problem pronouncing it.

I don’t mind that the sibling’s name starts with X. My husband’s whole family (parents/kids) all have J names. Yes, X is less common, but I don’t see a problem.

20

[name]Hi[/name]!

Can I just start off by saying that [name]Xavier[/name] [name]James[/name] is such a cool choice! Really, it’s great to see [name]Xavier[/name] used, because it isn’t one you come across very often - it’s classic and handsome and strong, and I love that you paired it with the traditional, masculine [name]James[/name]. Great name for your son!

As for Xyla, I think that the pronunciation is fairly straightforward, honestly, so I don’t think you’d run into too, too many issues with that. Also, though I hate to call out other posters, I don’t think you’re hijacking your son’s initials considering your intended combination - Xyla [name]Francesca[/name] [name]Belle[/name] - doesn’t include a J. Using the same first initial and using exactly the same initials are different. However, to me, Xyla looks a bit made-up, especially when used alongside the fairly classic [name]Xavier[/name], which is a saint’s name. Xyla also brings to mind a xylophone and xylem, which, although not really bad associations, are a bit odd. However, I also understand that you want to be unique in your name choice and you want to honor Mister [name]Xavier[/name]. So, what could you use?

I thought the suggestion of [name]Xenia[/name] was a lovely one. Although I personally would shy away from using the same initials for two children, merely because it could get difficult - especially with such a rare letter! - if you wanted to continue the trend for future children. But, these are your children, not mine, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with using the same letter at all. Another X name that comes to mind is [name]Xanthe[/name], though I prefer [name]Xenia[/name].

Now, there are other ways to honor [name]Xavier[/name]. First of all, [name]Xavier[/name] is a Basque name meaning “bright.” You could use another Basque name or another name meaning “bright.” Basque names you might like include [name]Arantxa[/name], [name]Arrosa[/name], [name]Lourdes[/name], and [name]Ximenia[/name]. [name]Lourdes[/name] is my favorite! Names meaning “bright” include [name]Akira[/name], [name]Ellen[/name], [name]Eleanor[/name], [name]Elena[/name], [name]Helen[/name], [name]Helena[/name], [name]Jelena[/name], [name]Phoebe[/name], and [name]Sorcha[/name]. Or, you could honor [name]Xavier[/name] by using a part of the saint’s name - St. [name]Francis[/name] [name]Xavier[/name]. [name]Frances[/name] or [name]Francesca[/name], which was originally on your list, would be ideal for this! You could also honor [name]Xavier[/name] by using his birth month, day, flower, or stone for a portion of your daughter’s name, assuming one of those is appropriate for a name. There are plenty of ways to creatively honor your son!

Good luck!

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile: