View Message

Talia or Thalia
The name Talia has been on my shortlist for a while, but I go back and forth about what spelling I prefer. There's Tahlia, Taliya, Taliah, Thalia, etc. I intend for the name to be pronounced TAHL-ee-uh, and I like both the Hebrew and Greek origins. I enjoy the simplicity of Talia and that it's commonly used for the Hebrew translation, but it often strikes me as incomplete, and I somehow feel that a three-syllable name should have more letters. I am also concerned that people will mistake it as a nickname for Natalia or that they will mispronounce it TAAL-ee-uh, like the beginning of the word, talon. I am now leaning towards Thalia as looking more "complete." Although this site doesn't list TAHL-ee-uh as a pronunciation, I think many people certainly pronounce it this way as well. How are you inclined to pronounce Talia and Thalia? Which spelling do you prefer and why? Can you suggest any combos for either?

This message was edited 5/10/2020, 10:48 PM

Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

vote up1
I pronounce it, tarl E a
vote up1
I would pronounce both TAHL-ya. I wouldn't naturally say TAHL-ee-uh, unless Talia or Thalia told me it's pronounced that way. I prefer the Thalia spelling.
vote up1
Thanks. I don't really get the "ya" ending though, which I've seen in some comments. Maybe it's a Southern thing. I mean I would pronounce Sonia as SOHN-ya, but I've never heard anyone in my area say TAHL-ya. I guess I don't mind it though.ETA: I'm curious, how would you pronounce Natalia then?

This message was edited 5/12/2020, 9:33 AM

vote up1
I'd pronounce Talia as TAL-ya and Thalia as THAY-lee-ə. I prefer Thalia, because Talia is the Polish word for waist.
Middle names I think would work with both spellings/pronunciations:
Evangeline
Eve
Felicity
Gwen
Hermione
Jane
vote up1
Thank you for your suggestions. Interesting about the Talia spelling being the word for waist. I'm half Polish (even though I only know a few words myself), so I will certainly take that into account.I like Thalia Evangeline, but I also have Evelyn on my fn list, which feels too close.Thalia Eve is pretty, but sounds slightly clunky with SN, maybe in a double middle combo.
vote up1
Any other opinions on Talia vs. Thalia? I'm curious to see how most people would pronounce Thalia.
vote up1
I prefer Talia ! I think younger kids would understand it better (just like little kids would understand to pronounce Shawn correctly over Sean). and to me it just looks better.
Some mn combos-Talia Grace
Talia Lynn
Talia Jane
Talia KayMuch love!
vote up1
Thank you for your opinions, but these middle name options strike me as filler names, no offense. My middle name is Lynn and I have felt nothing but embarrassment toward it my whole life.A middle name should be a fall-back name, so it's important to me that it can stand on its own feet. My first name doesn't allow nickname options, my last name is very challenging, and my middle provided no additional options. Instead, if I do happen to include my middle name, people tend to mistake it as a double first name, and call me "Amy Lynn," which sounds infantile. I've considered changing my middle name if I ever get married. Nothing personal, I just wanted to explain why I would never use what I consider to be a "filler" mn, so I can't approve any of your suggestions unfortunately.

This message was edited 5/11/2020, 3:52 PM

vote up1
I would pronounce them Taleeya and Thaleeya like the first few letters of thanks. But then I had a brownie called Thalia and so would intuitively pronounce it the way she did.For middle names I would avoid names that start with vowels as I find apart from the odd few most of them don’t work sound wise.Talia Caroline
Talia Bronwen
Talia Frances
Talia Ruth
Talia Lucy
Talia Sophie
Talia Willow
Talia Poppy
Thalia Louise
Thalia Susan
Thalia Grace
Thalia Carys
Thalia Rachel
Thalia Fern
Thalia Marigold
Thalia Genevieve

This message was edited 5/12/2020, 12:00 AM

vote up1
Interesting how there are so many different pronunciations for Thalia. Thank you for your suggestions. I like...Talia Bronwen
Talia Ruth
Talia Lucy
Talia Sophie
Talia WillowThalia Susan
Thalia Fern
Thalia Marigold
vote up1
Talia Amy

This message was edited 5/10/2020, 11:09 PM

vote up1
Ha, I'm flattered. I don't think it flows very well unfortunately.
vote up1
I think it does, what about your MN or a family name
vote up1
I find it too clunky. A name should sound like poetry and shouldn't be forced just for the sake of honoring.I always consider honoring, but I'm not pregnant or even married, so why wouldn't I first consider other names I really love, and then in the end go with my gut and that of my partner's? Also, I'd find it inappropriate to seriously discuss my SO's family names before we're married.ETA: I don't like my middle name either unfortunately. See rest of thread.

This message was edited 5/11/2020, 4:11 PM

vote up1
Ok, Catherine, Genevieve, Vivienne, Josephine, Elizabeth, Imogen, Naomi, Estelle, Felicity, Penelope, Chantal, Chelsea, Charlotte

This message was edited 5/11/2020, 6:03 PM

vote up1
Thanks! These are pretty. My favorites are...Thalia Vivienne
Thalia Josephine
Thalia Naomi
vote up1
Yvette Celeste

This message was edited 5/12/2020, 6:26 AM

vote up1