Re: Mahalia
in reply to a message by Redhead
Since the only Mahalia I'm familiar with is Mahalia Jackson, I pronounce the name as mah-HALE-yuh. I also know, though, that Mahala (which was really much more common in the 19th century) was usually pronounced mah-HALE-uh in the USA at that time. There is a woman in my family tree named Mahala who was called Haley in everyday life, showing that Haley can have another origin besides being an alternate spelling for Hayley.
However, I think it would be OK for you to say mah-HALL-yuh if you want. It's a very rare name anyway, and most people under the age of 35 or so probably have never heard of Mahalia Jackson.
I can easily picture a Molly as you describe, but in either pronunciation it's a little harder to picture a Mahalia that way. :)
However, I think it would be OK for you to say mah-HALL-yuh if you want. It's a very rare name anyway, and most people under the age of 35 or so probably have never heard of Mahalia Jackson.
I can easily picture a Molly as you describe, but in either pronunciation it's a little harder to picture a Mahalia that way. :)
Replies
My great-great-grandmother
was Catherine Mahala (maHAYla, no I), nn Halie (HAYlee) as a child but called Catherine as an adult. My mother is Catherine for her, and my 11yo daughter has the mn Mahalia (maHAYLyah with an I) for her as well.
~Lillian~
Proud daughter of Ann and John
Proud sister of Lauren and Leah
Proud wife of David
Proud mother of Alexander, Scarlett, Sophia, and Gideon
was Catherine Mahala (maHAYla, no I), nn Halie (HAYlee) as a child but called Catherine as an adult. My mother is Catherine for her, and my 11yo daughter has the mn Mahalia (maHAYLyah with an I) for her as well.
~Lillian~
Proud daughter of Ann and John
Proud sister of Lauren and Leah
Proud wife of David
Proud mother of Alexander, Scarlett, Sophia, and Gideon
You just reminded me . . .
The Mahala (ma-HAY-la) I mentioned in my response below was named after a family member from the 19th century.
Not that you need any confirmation. I just thought I'd add to the body of evidence.
The Mahala (ma-HAY-la) I mentioned in my response below was named after a family member from the 19th century.
Not that you need any confirmation. I just thought I'd add to the body of evidence.
You're response was EXTREMELY helpful. I don't think I would go with the Ma-Hall-ya pronunciation after knowing the history of the name. It was just confusing to me with all the different responses.
I don't think this name is for me after all but I still think it's quite beautiful and interesting!
I don't think this name is for me after all but I still think it's quite beautiful and interesting!