Any advice on these baby girls' names?

[mamaonthefarm]

#1: Callia - pronounced KAL-ee-uh
#2: Malia - pronounced Muh-LEE-uh

Is Callia too difficult to know how to pronounce? I wouldn't want her to be called KAHL-ee-uh by mistake (sounds too much like cholera) Would Caliya be a better spelling?

What do people think about Malia?

Which name do you prefer?

Thanks!

[Kirsten]

I think either one will be chronically misspelled and mispronounced. You - and she - will be telling every person she meets how to pronounce her name. This is something that some of us deal with so not a dealbreaker necessarily, but you should know that both names you are considering have no clear and obvious "correct" way to spell/say.

I like the look of Malia more than Callia, and I think Malia has a better chance of being pronounced correctly at first guess.

[kalamos23]

Isn't Malia Obama's daughter's name? You might have a better chance of it being pronounced right because of the association. I know a little girl name Calla - with Callia, I pronounce it Call ya with the a sounding like the a in apple.

[treegardner]

Originally Posted by Kirsten

I think either one will be chronically misspelled and mispronounced. You - and she - will be telling every person she meets how to pronounce her name. This is something that some of us deal with so not a dealbreaker necessarily, but you should know that both names you are considering have no clear and obvious "correct" way to spell/say.

I like the look of Malia more than Callia, and I think Malia has a better chance of being pronounced correctly at first guess.

[sunshadow]

I have a friend who's daughter is name Malia and I've always loved it!

[To-Fu]

I would pronounce those Call-EE-uh and MAH-lee-uh.

[Lauren31]

I heard the name Malia is FLYING up the charts thanks to Obama's daughter so I think that would be easy to pronounce for most Americans. The name Callia? Eh, I would say it CAL-EE-Ah but I don't think most people would. I am not really a fan of either name but you are the mama

[sostinkinhappy]

Oh, I know a Malia who is in her late twenties right now and she is one of the most gracious, sincere, talented, beautiful, and wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing in my entire life!!! It was one of the names I had considered before settling on the we finally chose.

[cileag]

I agree that either name is going to be mispronounced. Instead of Callia, how about Calla?

[velveeta]

I like Malia! I have always liked it and Maile (my-lee). They are both Hawaiian, and so pretty and feminine. They are both versions of Mary, which I love, too.

[MaerynPearl]

I agree that Malia will almost always be pronounced right

but she would also be likely to have 1 or 2 other Malias in her class, thanks to President Obamas daughter, so if you want a more unique name, thats not it.

[RedOakMomma]

I don't think Malia will be THAT popular, even with the Obama association. I'd be shocked if it ever went above 50 in popularity.

Malia is my pick. Callia would never be pronouced the right way.

[Mhorai]

I really like Caliya. I think it would be pronounced the way you'd like and it looks lovely.

[sheriwx]

I know a Malia, early 20s, and I think it's pretty. That said, the first time I read her name I guessed the pronunciation to be MAY-lee-uh, which is totally wrong.

[isfa]

I love the name Malia. Very pretty. It works for a young girl or an adult woman. Callia is pretty too, but she'll have more problems getting people to spell/pronounce it correctly.

[mamaonthefarm]

Thanks for the feedback, mamas! I really appreciate it.

'Callia' was the name I had picked and 'Malia' is the name dh, mil, and all my kids picked. Hmmm... I wonder if 'Calla' (pronounced CAL-uh) or 'Caliya' (pronounced CAL-ee-uh) would be good. Or if we should just go with 'Malia.' I have a feeling that even though it's Obama's daughter's name, that it still won't be ultra popular.

Feel free to chime in, anyone else, if you want to - thanks!

[BlackSheepPDX]

I like Malia, and it read to me as being pronounced like Maria but with an L. Callia, I like the sound of, but I will admit that when I went to type it, I started to type Calliya instead, and when I first looked at it I thought it was Calla like the lily. Which is pretty, too. I'm not one to pick a name based on whether people will be able to pronounce it or not, as I'm thoroughly convinced people just don't pay attention when they read, and that's not my problem to solve. For example, my name is Alessandra, but people inevitably SAY Alexandra. Just not paying attention. Can't be helped. Pick a name you think is beautiful, and everyone who matters will bother to learn to pronounce it correctly.