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Help[Opinions] Feya
Not sure what I’m looking for here. Maybe some guidance? General thoughts? Please be kind and keep an open mind as this is a very touchy subject for me.
We’ve named our daughter Feya. She’s almost 1. My husband brought the name to the table halfway through the pregnancy and we loved the sound of it. We did a quick search and saw that it meant fairy in Hebrew and that was that. Fast forward to when Feya was a few months old and we discover that her name is pronounced the same as the word Fea or Feia is Spanish and Portuguese, meaning ugly. My heart was broken. We are not Spanish and we do not live in a Spanish speaking country. We live in Australia. I brought up changing her name to something similar like “Farrah”, but my husband was not having it. He said she’ll be fine. My biggest fear is having a Spanish speaker in her school call her out on it. No one wants their child bullied. So again, I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for by posting this....maybe does anyone have some kind words to help ease this mum’s mind? Does anyone have any positive experience with this name? Thank you so much in advance.
We’ve named our daughter Feya. She’s almost 1. My husband brought the name to the table halfway through the pregnancy and we loved the sound of it. We did a quick search and saw that it meant fairy in Hebrew and that was that. Fast forward to when Feya was a few months old and we discover that her name is pronounced the same as the word Fea or Feia is Spanish and Portuguese, meaning ugly. My heart was broken. We are not Spanish and we do not live in a Spanish speaking country. We live in Australia. I brought up changing her name to something similar like “Farrah”, but my husband was not having it. He said she’ll be fine. My biggest fear is having a Spanish speaker in her school call her out on it. No one wants their child bullied. So again, I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for by posting this....maybe does anyone have some kind words to help ease this mum’s mind? Does anyone have any positive experience with this name? Thank you so much in advance.
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Replies
I used to like the Frisian name Feia before I found out it meant ugly...
I think she'll be fine. If anything just tell her if she ever goes to a Spanish or Portuguese speaking country to maybe name herself Faye. It's an anagram of Feya.. Freya would also prevent confusion.
Personally I think I would change her name. I wouldn't be happy with her name anymore. I wouldn't make a huge deal out of it if my husband was dead set against changing it though. I'd probably change it to Faye, but Freya would be good too. If you want the pronunciation to be roughly the same Fayah would look least like Fea,Feia.
I think she'll be fine. If anything just tell her if she ever goes to a Spanish or Portuguese speaking country to maybe name herself Faye. It's an anagram of Feya.. Freya would also prevent confusion.
Personally I think I would change her name. I wouldn't be happy with her name anymore. I wouldn't make a huge deal out of it if my husband was dead set against changing it though. I'd probably change it to Faye, but Freya would be good too. If you want the pronunciation to be roughly the same Fayah would look least like Fea,Feia.
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I speak fluent spanish, and when i saw the name it didnt come anywhere near my mind as ugly.. in fact, i think it's gorgeous! I asked a few of my spanish speaking friends, and they all said the same thing. Dont stress! Anyway, if yku raise her to have confidence in herself and bring her up around good people, she wont be bothered by bullying. Good luck!
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Oh my goodness you just made me tear up with happiness. Thank you so much for that! Instilling confidence and kindness with our LO is definitely our number 1 goal. :)
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My first thought was that it would get confused a lot with “Freya” which to be honest I prefer.
A lot of names mean negative things in another language and kids get bullied or not bullied for a lot of reasons.
A lot of names mean negative things in another language and kids get bullied or not bullied for a lot of reasons.
This message was edited 4/29/2020, 2:26 AM
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I didn't know Feya means ugly, and I don't find it an unpleasant name, but it sounds a bit... unfinished? Like it's lacking an extra letter, though maybe it's because of the familiarity of Freya.
ETA: a quick google search proves Feya doesn't mean fairy in Hebrew. Fay does mean fairy in English though, so it might be a good alternative for you.
ETA: a quick google search proves Feya doesn't mean fairy in Hebrew. Fay does mean fairy in English though, so it might be a good alternative for you.
This message was edited 4/29/2020, 2:31 AM
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Thanks for that. Yeah, we did a very quick google search when we discovered the name. Nameberry.com I think said it was a Hebrew variation? Not sure, but I am 100% it is the word fairy in Russian. Oh well! I may just continue to cal her Fey, and reiterate the beauty of her full name as she grows.
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Maybe if you just tweaked the spelling? Faya is far enough away from fea and feia, and it looks more like the English Fay. I must say, if Feya does indeed mean Fairy in Hebrew, it's my educated guess that it's a loan word, borrowed from the English in the first place and with a tweaked spelling of its own. I wouldn't waste energy on potential future Spanish school children, but if you are feeling anxious about it, Faya is very much nicer than Farrah IMO.
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Thank you....altering the spelling could work. It will definitely be a discussion with the husband.
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Good luck!
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I’m sorry you’re feeling upset about this! I think it’s a very pretty name, similar to Freya. It’s very soft and pretty. I wouldn’t personally use it myself because I live in the US and have some knowledge of Spanish as well as hispanic friends and family, though in Australia I don’t think there are many Spanish speaking people. I think because the spelling is different from Spanish / Portuguese fea / feia it shouldn’t be much of an issue if you or your daughter happen to come across someone who does know Spanish. You named her Feya because it’s a pretty name with a nice meaning that fits her well, don’t feel bad about that! I also liked the idea of calling her Feya Anne sometimes or just using the nickname Fay if it really bothers you or your daughter in the future. :)
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Thank you so much! That’s all very kind.
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I think it’s a beautiful name. Any decent Spanish speaking person will realize you did not name your daughter with a Spanish meaning. Emphasize its Jewish meaning to her as she’s growing up.
What is her middle name? Maybe you can combine them or have her go by both her first and middle (Mary Ellen, Emma Grace, AnnMarie, Maryann, etc).
What is her middle name? Maybe you can combine them or have her go by both her first and middle (Mary Ellen, Emma Grace, AnnMarie, Maryann, etc).
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Thank you so much for your kind words. Her middle name is Anne, so it could work. Alternatively we do shorten her to Fey sometimes. Thanks again!
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Feyanne isn't half bad :)
With Feya as a nn maybe.
With Feya as a nn maybe.
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I don't think it's a problem here in Australia
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