No one likes the name we picked for our girl

poisonedapple

I have looked at SO many lists of names it's unbelievable.  I finally found a name my fianc?e and I both really like but the few people we?ve told all hate the name.  Vala (pronounced like Paula).  We are still considering other names and don?t have a middle name yet but I was really happy that we finally had a name and didn?t have to look any further.  I?m still trying to figure out if my satisfaction with this name has only changed because others have told me they hate it or if I?m just not completely sure of it myself. 

Also, if we do keep the name Vala my fianc?e wants to spell it either Vahla, Vaula, or Valla.  What do you think of the spelling?

 

Watergirl21

Don't worry what people think- name her what you like.  I think the name is fine, and all the spellings are okay too.  But it might be easier to spell it like you want it pronounced.  Just a thought..

LemonBlush

I'm not a fan at all. It sounds like voila almost.

HappyAardvark

Sure, "Vala" pronounced as "Paula" is fine - if you're okay with saddling your daughter with a name she always immediately has to spell after she states it to someone new she meets, and has to constantly be correcting misspelling/mispronunciations as soon as she meets someone new or has to introduce herself to a crowd.  

kbratton2king

I know a guy named Vala.

The name isn't my style but if u and ur husband love it, GO FOR IT! I like the spelling Vahla the best. I think it'll help people pronounce it right.

Mrs.McLovin

Keep looking for a name! You have time!

forensicmama

If you both love it, then you should go with it. It's difficult to come to a mutual decision when naming a child. I'm honestly not too fond of this name you chose, but definitely don't name her Valla, because it looks like VAL-uh, which isn't the pronunciation you want.

broomy

If you love it, use it. I like it, personally. It's different and pretty.

I had the same second thoughts about DS's name because we got some weird/negative feedback on it. I wavered on it for a little while (wondered if we were cursing DS with an awful name, even though we loved it and have met people with his name and never thought bad things about those people, etc.). I am SO glad we didn't change our minds. It just felt right then, and feels perfect now. I can't imagine him with any other name. It sounds like you fell in love with the name immediately, just like we did. I say go for it.

As for the spelling, I agree that Vahla will be pronounced correctly; the others, not so much. And don't worry about your daughter having to spell her name for others. There are tons of people out there with uncommon/ethnic/family names that others just aren't familiar with. I'd never not use a name I love for fear that someone might not be able to spell it. 

TUGOsQueen

If you love it, go for it. I would never pronounce it like you want with that spelling. Go with Vahla or Vaula.

Honesty, when seeing you wanted it pronounced that way, all I could think of was vulva.  As a teacher, I have never seen such a name and agree with pp that she will constantly correcting the pronunciation and spelling.  Good luck!

gja000

Definately spell it Vaula or Vahla - it will really help with pronunciation issues!

jobiann

This is exactly why we stopped telling people our "boy" name.  It isn't spelled weird, or made up, it's just different.  People will always judge.  If you like it, go for it.  However, think of how often your daughter is going to have to correct people on the spelling AND pronunciation of her name.  My name is Joann and I have to correct people on not saying Joan but also on spelling it Joanne, JoAnn, JoAnne, Joan, etc.

ArcadianDreams

Honestly, it's nms. But it at least looks and sounds like a legitimate name so I don't think your family has much to stand on.

Out of those spellings I like Vala or Vahla. The other two I think will lead to mis-pronunciations...Vaula makes me think "Vo-la" or the greek name "Voula" and Valla like "Valerie"

jessicasuzann

Like another poster said already, it does make me think "vulva" when I read it. Sorry. :-(

 

brookelynpaisley

I don't like it, but I don't like most V names. It sounds like it would be a nickname for something else.

Dman85

I don;t like the name, but it's your decision. If you like it, go for it!

PinupMomma08

Like it, NMS but i would def spell it the way you would like it pronounced! Make things easy :-)  Vahla. Vaula might get a Vowl-ah.

narabug

lrachelle80:

We have a "Vala's Pumpkin Patch" here, so it doesn't seem totally made up, but they pronounce it "Val-ah" (first syllable rhymes with the man's name Hal), so that's what I would have assumed.

I live near Omaha too, so this was my first thought. I would never have pronounced that like Paula. I think Vahla would be most likely to be pronounced the way you want.

pipsersmom

Who cares what they think? You're daughter will have a super cute name and she won't turn her head every time someone calls for Ella or Madison.

We got the same issue, but we kept the name. People suddenly don't complain when there is a baby in front of them with that name.

robynlesley

You ever watch Stargate SG-1?  There is a character in the last seasons called Vala?pronounced Vah-lah.

If you really like the name, I'd keep the spelling as Vala.

iteachk

It's pretty, But I think it will always be mispronounced.  Stop telling people your name choice.  We didn't tell anyone DD's name until she was born, and we've had no negative feedback.

BLee51383

It's not my style, but at least you are thinking outside of the box and not just copying the top ten names of the year. Initially, it reminded me of Vada (from the movie My Girl). So I thought Vala was pronounced like "VAY-la" but nonetheless, if you two like it- that's all that matters. My close girlfriend did not disclose the name of the baby until the baby was born because it's much harder for someone to say that they don't like the baby's name when they are looking at such a beautiful baby. Don't let anyone sway your opinion, on the other hand, always be open to constructive criticism- sometimes people are looking out for your (or your child's) best interests- you never know, the name you choose could mean something derogatory or offensive in another language or the spelling of the child's name could lead to school yard bullying- just keep these things in mind.

waterfly

robynlesley:

You ever watch Stargate SG-1?  There is a character in the last seasons called Vala?pronounced Vah-lah.

If you really like the name, I'd keep the spelling as Vala.

Ditto--it's not a long-standing name, but it's better than most made-up names...and I would probably assume one or both parents was a Stargate fan.  I would avoid Sam/Samantha, Daniel, Jonas, Carter, Jackson, and Jack for future children if you use it, though.

melissa721

I don't blame them. It's not pretty and I don't know too many girls who would like Vala has their name.