I thought Maia was pronounced May-uh, but I'm not sure. I've only seen this name spelled as Maya or Mya. I prefer Maya. Yes, Layla and Maya are close in sound and in spelling. Both are nice names, but too close imo.
I don't think they are too similar, either. I'm kind of confused about that. I get how they look similar but they don't sound similar at all to me. I would still stick with the Maya spelling though.
Do people also think Kaia is too similar to Layla? That's another of our top choices. I don't really hear the similarity but a lot of people seem to, that definitely makes me second guess!
Do people also think Kaia is too similar to Layla? That's another of our top choices. I don't really hear the similarity but a lot of people seem to, that definitely makes me second guess!
I would honestly suggest looking for something that isn't two syllables with -a sounds in both syllables.
I think I'm the odd one out but I don't find Maya or Kaia too similar to Layla. They're both 2 syllables and end in "a" but a lot of parents do that because they like a certain name style. The spelling of Maya looks similar to Layla but they have different pronounciations so to me, it's no biggie and I wouldn't think it's weird. If hubby is still worried about them looking the same, Kaia is also a beautiful name.
As for LOOKING too similar when spelled out - how often do you write down both of your kids' name next to each other? Holiday cards, annnnnnnnd.....? I can't think of another time.
When you introduce them - the SOUND of each name is different enough that no one will focus on the spelling.
Re: Which spelling
Yes, Layla and Maya are close in sound and in spelling. Both are nice names, but too close imo.
TTC since September 2012
My furchildren, Dorothy and Johnny
And I'm gonna go against what PP have said. I think Maya would be pronounced May-ah
Spelled with an I, it's a Greek mythological name, vs a civilization in Latin America.
I don't think it's too similar to Layla.
In my head, Mya is "mee-uh".
When you introduce them - the SOUND of each name is different enough that no one will focus on the spelling.