Unofficial Poll: which girl's name spelling do you prefer?

756 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Marylizah, Apr 7, 2006

Marylizah

Discussion Starter · Apr 6, 2006

Well, we've narrowed down the list of names to 2 possibilities for a girl, and 1 for a boy. I need your help choosing a version of one of the names.

Here's the deal: DH is, as they say in France, of Lebanese origin, and he'd really like the baby's name to reflect that. So one of our girl possibilities is Elissar: she was a Phonecian woman who became queen of Carthage and actually founded the city.

If we use this name, should we use the R at the end, or spell it Elissa?

The problem with Elissa is that the French will systematically mispronounce it and undoubtedly misspell it. If there's an R at the end, I think there's a better chance that they'll notice it ISN'T Elise and try to pronounce it properly.

The problem with Elissar is that if we move back to the US, I'm afraid it'll be too "weird" and be a burden for our child.

What do you think?

Btw, our other names are actually going to be family names: Julianna (DH's grandmother and my mother's names combined) or Georges David (our father's names). So this is the only really Lebanese/ Phonecian name we've come up with...

TIA for your input!

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

boingo82

· #2 · Apr 6, 2006

How do you intend it to be pronounced?
I'm in the US and would definitely say "E-liss-ur" if I saw the version with an "r". Is it supposed to be pronounced that way?

gnutter

· #3 · Apr 6, 2006

I think it sounds pretty-Plus has a neat little history behind it.

DoubleOven

· #4 · Apr 6, 2006

.

Marylizah

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 6, 2006

About pronunciation: Elissar would be pronounced Elleesaar.

About esoteric spellings: Elissar is the correct spelling, Elissa is the sanitized version. So we're not making something up.

Thanks for the help!

zaksma

· #6 · Apr 6, 2006

You know, I really like Elissar- I think it has a neat history and is very different but not a "made-up" name at the same time. I know that as soon as I saw it, I immediately (well, in my head) pronounced it Ellis-sar (like the last syllable is pronounced like the word "are")- it that right?

KBinSATX

· #7 · Apr 6, 2006

I like it too. But I also am naming DS after my sweet wonderful German grandpa eventhough we live in the US. It has meaning to us. It's not like we are just making it up to be different. Elissar has meaning to you. I think it's fine with the 'r'.

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Peppamint

· #8 · Apr 6, 2006

Hmm, I think there'd be less confusion if you leave the 'R' on the end.

JMO

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babyblue107

· #9 · Apr 6, 2006

I really like the name Elissar. It is really pretty and nowadays kids have all kinds of unusual names. So, I really don't think that there will be a problem with the kids in school when you come to the US.
In fact if I think back to when I was in shcool. I was jealous of the girls who had the unusual names because mine was so original. I mean every girl my age has the name Jennifer.
So, I say totally go for the name Elissar.

with first

: will have a

: in May!!!!!!!

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Marylizah

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 6, 2006

Thanks for the input!

I really like it with the "r", but I was wondering if it was too strange.

Quote:

babyblue107 said:
In fact if I think back to when I was in shcool. I was jealous of the girls who had the unusual names because mine was so original. I mean every girl my age has the name Jennifer.

Yeah, I'm totally with you on this one, I spent a loooot of time looking for interesting was to spell Mary, lol!

Quote:

zaksma said:
I know that as soon as I saw it, I immediately (well, in my head) pronounced it Ellis-sar (like the last syllable is pronounced like the word "are")- it that right?

Yup, that's it.

Feeling better about the "r", thanks ladies!

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eco_mama

· #11 · Apr 6, 2006

I'd go w/ Elissar

GreenMama

· #12 · Apr 6, 2006

As a teacher (before the pg), if I saw the name "Elissa" written on my role call sheet I'd say it just like "Alyssa." It just looks like a different spelling of that name. I have even seen "Alyssa" spelled "Elyssa," so its really not that far fetched.

However, Ellisar is clearly not "Alyssa." I'd have even gotten the pronunciation right "El-liss-are." Its definately a more unique sounding name, and one that shouldn't be able to be made fun of that much because it still sounds pretty.

Of course, I had many students with weird names and spellings. Its nice to see an unsusal name that actually has history and meaning and is not just made up. I think you should go for it, its beautiful and unique!

alexisyael

· #13 · Apr 6, 2006

I like Elissar

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mimid

· #14 · Apr 6, 2006

I say go with Elissar. It is a pretty name. If you are really worried that it'll be too weird if you move back to the US then you could make it the middle name. Also, realistically, what are your plans regarding moving back? Concrete timeline (ie 5 years.) or just a vague "maybe we'll move back" feeling? If you have concrete plans and every intention of moving back, then you should think about that, but if it is a vague idea then don't worry about it. KWIM? (DH and I are planning on moving to Israel in 5-8 years so we are thinking of that when we choose names.)

nitareality

· #15 · Apr 6, 2006

Elissar. It's the "right" way AND it's beautiful. That is exactly how I said it in my head when I read it.

mamacatsbaby

· #16 · Apr 7, 2006

I like Elissar too.

flowmom

· #17 · Apr 7, 2006

I think that many North Americans would assume that Elissar is a typo. JMO.

Marylizah

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 7, 2006

Thanks for all the help, ladies.

I think that when paired with the baby's last name (which is definitely not a typical Jones or Smith-type last name) people will realize that Elissar is not a typo but probably a "foreign" name.

Plus it sounds pretty in French!

And to be honest, we have absolutely no concrete plans, immediate or otherwise, to move back to the US. We're more likely to move within Europe, or go to Lebanon or the Emirates first.

It's clearly not everyone's cup of tea, but really, what name is, right?

Thanks again for the help!

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