We have Zélie on our list for middle name, but are beginning to love it so much that we were wondering whether it was possible for her to be a first name or not. Our worries are basically in terms of pronunciation and spelling, because we say it the [name_m]French[/name_m] way: https://forvo.com/word/zélie/#fr
I really like Zélie! I pronounce it in [name_m]French[/name_m], but I’m french so Zeh-lee is actually the only pronunciation I know about.
It’s that I’ve seen people pronounce it like the word Jelly, without the correct emphasis on the first syllable (which is why in [name_m]French[/name_m] it has an accent mark)… That’s what worries me.
I really like it! I’m not french, but I do speak the language so I pronounce it correctly from the first try. I do get why you’re worried about jelly though, which, tbh, somehow I’ve never thought of before. If you love the name I guess it’s worth the correction. Not a deal breaker, imo.
I first read it as zelly. So I think in the US at least you will have to explain the pronunciation to people, but if you don’t mind that it is a cute name.
I don’t know anything about the [name_m]French[/name_m] language and yet I would pronounce it the right way. The accent is the only reason I didn’t say it like jelly. You will probably have to correct it from time to time. As long as you are ok with that I think you should use it!
So maybe it’s just my accent, but I don’t say the word ‘jelly’ jel-[name_u]LEE[/name_u], I say it JEL-ee, so the stress is on the first syllable…same as the name [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] (Forgive me, I don’t know how to put the accent on the ‘e’ while typing it on here). I’m assuming it’s more of a difference in vowel sounds than which syllable is stressed. I would be inclined to say [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] closer to ZAY-lee or somewhere in between an AY and EH sound rather than rhyming completely with jelly. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it’s the best way to describe it based on my American accent.
I’ve been crushing on this name too and been thinking whether I would actually use it or not! But needless to say, if you know you love it, I think its adorable and very usable. I second that you may have to clarify pronunciation sometimes but I wouldn’t let that deter you.
I love this one! Zélie is gorgeous, though I’m not sure if people would always know to pronounce it the way you want. If you live somewhere where [name_m]French[/name_m] is not widely spoken or at least recognised, I’d keep it as a middle name only if mispronunciations will really bother you.
I’ve seen Zélie and its variants popping up more in Catholic circles. If I’m not mistaken it is rising in the US. Pronunciation shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
I got the pronunciation right but I think she will have to correct people all the time unless you live in a [name_m]French[/name_m]-speaking region.