Samira - again! Please help!

honeydew01

I am 36 weeks pregnant and after a long time we finally settled on Samira for our baby girl's name. First girl's name is Leila. Today someone asked me if we had picked a name yet and I said "yes, Samira!"   She hadn't heard it so she went "what is it again?" and I repeated "Samira" and then she went "Samurai?!"

Are people really going to have issues saying the name? I had never thought people could go as far as Samurai! I'm panicking a bit because it took us so long to agree on this name and I was prepared to go with it, but I really don't want her to be called a Samurai!

 

What would you do?

Bringmemylongswordho

Its pronounced Sam -ee -rabbit or Sa -MI - ra, right? I wouldn't worry about people saying samurai, but yes it's going to have more pronunciation issues than leila.

saham07

Not to be rude....but my very first thought was Pap smeer(a)

honeydew01

Pap Smeer? Oh god....

I had really fallen for the name and now I can't picture naming her Samira based on Samurai and Pap Smear...

Knottie1442268460

Pap smear..really?! It's a nice name.

saham07

Baby'smom said:

Pap smear..really?! It's a nice name.

I think she came here to talk it out. That was really the first thing that came to mind. I think that she wants opinions and thoughts.

honeydew01

I rather know now what people think of the name than afterwards. I'm of course disappointed because it took us so long to settle on Samira and now we have to find something else last minute but thanks for letting me know what the name sounds like/makes you think of. I appreciate it.

aessary03

I missed your original post, but how are you intending it to be pronounced?

saham07

Sylvie

Sabine

Sabina

Sacha

Seraphina

Sonja

Samina

honeydew01

Here is my other post: https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12619673/how-do-these-names-sound-to-american-ears/p1

I pronounce it Sa Mee Ra. I'm Persian so that's how we pronounce it. My American husband says it more like Sami ra? Either is fine by me, but Samurai was a little shocking if you know what I mean.

tgrlily287

I think it's so pretty! It's unique but not strange. When I read your post I had assumed the same pronunciation you intended. My husband's family is from India though so I'm used to people having problems with pronunciation I say go for it!!

saham07

I just read your other post. I LOVE Roya!

Latina211508

I have heard it before and dont confuse with another word.

MrsCurlyFries

I think Samira is very nice and I'd pronounce it how you do.

CaboBride2015

Unless I'm not tracking with your pronunciation, and I don't think that's the problem, samurai is a huge stretch and kind of ridiculous. I think it's pretty and people won't have much difficulty figuring it out. I also get the smear reference but people, especially kids, can come up with something weird for every name.

magsugar13

Its a great name and not that difficult to pronounce. I know someone who just named her baby this name and she hasnt mentioned any major issues,

Please dont dumb down the name.

bbiutmcph

I would stick with it . I would never think either of the mentioned and don't think many would. Granted I live in a diverse area but it s certainly not unheard of or difficult once told how to pronounce should someone not know

SmrBrd2012

I really like it

SusieG85

Do not second guess yourself now! Samira is a lovely name. I knew a Samira in college and no one thought it was odd/hard to spell. Plus it makes for some lovely nm options like Sam or Mira if there are people who really just can't figure out Samira. Also, consider that there are plenty of names out there now that are considered really trendy that are also tough for people to spell or have many alternate spellings that people will find hard to catch. Plus, even if she gets teased by being called Samurai, that is a pretty awesome nn or mispronunciation if you ask me! 

holocene

I wouldn't worry about said friend. Samira is a lovely choice. 

Our son is Sam (Samuel), and sometimes we call him Samurai. He loves it. Like another user mentioned, people (kids especially) will always find nicknames, both good and bad. But the bottom line is, it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks. 

penelope4612

I like Samira.

JadaBlue

I also know a Samira and no one seems to struggle with it. It's lovely and pronounced exactly as it's spelled. Stick with it!

[Deleted User]

That person you were talking to sounds like an idiot.  There are some people in this world who wont be able to deal with your kids name unless you name her Jane or Sally or something.  Samira is gorgeous.  I love it.  You love it.  Do it.

honeydew01

Thank you guys! My husband is of the same opinion that people will mess up whatever so we should go with the name. We talked about it alot....still not sure what we'll do. We talked about maybe going with Mira (mee Ra). I'll maybe make a separate post to see the opinions on that name.

ElRuby

Ok the Pap smear comment is just dumb.

mamakculb

I've always heard it pronounced Sa Mee Ra and I think it's a pretty name. I think samurai and Pap smear are ridiculous and I would never think it was anything like those.

scotten

Samira is a beautiful name! Hold your ground, momma!

cmerribury

Samira is a very pretty name and I think the person you mention was just a little...slow on the uptake. It's not complicated at all. 

That said, it does remind me of The Ring.

SnarkasaurusRex

cmerribury said:

That said, it does remind me of The Ring.

Me too; my first thought was that it was a misspelling of creep-a-leep's name. And then I smooshed it together in my head and it made me think of "smear"-a as a PP mentioned. Definitely not things that should be deal breakers, though, as it's a very nice name with cute NN potential (my vote is for Mira!).

ncm1919

This is my nieces name. We all call her Sami. That name is about as phonetic as it gets. I've never heard anyone have trouble. I say do it.
And the Pap smear. Moment is from left field. Bit of a stretch

little_bren

I know a Samira NN Sam. Never thought pap smear lol

hlvonb

honeydew01 said:

I am 36 weeks pregnant and after a long time we finally settled on Samira for our baby girl's name. First girl's name is Leila. Today someone asked me if we had picked a name yet and I said "yes, Samira!"   She hadn't heard it so she went "what is it again?" and I repeated "Samira" and then she went "Samurai?!"

Are people really going to have issues saying the name? I had never thought people could go as far as Samurai! I'm panicking a bit because it took us so long to agree on this name and I was prepared to go with it, but I really don't want her to be called a Samurai!

 

What would you do?

@honeydew01

I personally would choose a different name. I think people will have a hard time understanding what the name is when you say it, hard time saying it themselves and spelling it as well

honeydew01

For the last 3 days I've been testing the name with different baristas /sandwich place where they ask for a name. So far 3 out of 4 people got it right! It made me happy honestly!

emgee27

Love the name! It's actually one on my list (we are team green) and I think it's pretty!

Also, what a great way to test a name! I'm going to steal that idea because we only have non-trendy, yet not you-neek, names on our list.?

honeydew01

My husband was laughing and making fun that our daughter's name is based on baristas' ability to understand and spell it but really it's been interesting to see what they hear and write.

VitaLuna

Do it. People will come up with random mispronunciations and "it sounds like..." references even for the most common of names.
I get the, "what did you say her name was" a lot with DD and it doesn't bother me one bit. Go with your heart and stick with the name you love.

carrieandbabybean

Love Samira (with your long e sound in the middle versus the i sound).  And you can call her Sam for short!  (If you want.)