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Help[Opinions] Mahalia
Sorry, I know I already asked about this name. But 50% who responded thought it was prounounced Ma-HALL-ia and 50% thought Ma-HAYL-ia, so now I'm more confused than ever. I know that Mahalia Jackson pronounced it the 2nd way.
1) When I look at the name and spelling, I would automatically pronounce it Ma-HALL-ia. Doesn't that make sense? And couldn't the nn be Molly?
2) Can you picture this name on a reddish-blonde, blue-eyed girl w/ freckles?
Thanks!
1) When I look at the name and spelling, I would automatically pronounce it Ma-HALL-ia. Doesn't that make sense? And couldn't the nn be Molly?
2) Can you picture this name on a reddish-blonde, blue-eyed girl w/ freckles?
Thanks!
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
1. ma-HAHL-ee-a makes sense, but personally prefer ma-HAL-ee-a. Molly's an OK nn, not really obvious, but not that obscure either; I wouldn't go for it myself though.
2. Yep, I can.
Miranda
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks; see my profile for their names.
2. Yep, I can.
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks; see my profile for their names.
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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. :)
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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
1
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.
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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!
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Of course I can picture Mahalia on a reddish-blonde, blue-eyed girl with freckles. Why ever not?
I know a 22 year old Mahala who pronounces it, "ma-HAY-la." She's from the northeast. Her brothers and sisters all got really cool Hebrew names like Moishe and Avram. Her parents are pretty up on these things so I defer to them on the pronunciation. But she does get called "ma-HALL-a" a lot. Her mn is Katherine, btw.
I've always liked the name Mahalia. Ms. Jackson's pronunciation is so ingrained that I would automatically use it. But I can also see your pronunciation and if you want to derive "Molly" from it, then go for it.
I know a 22 year old Mahala who pronounces it, "ma-HAY-la." She's from the northeast. Her brothers and sisters all got really cool Hebrew names like Moishe and Avram. Her parents are pretty up on these things so I defer to them on the pronunciation. But she does get called "ma-HALL-a" a lot. Her mn is Katherine, btw.
I've always liked the name Mahalia. Ms. Jackson's pronunciation is so ingrained that I would automatically use it. But I can also see your pronunciation and if you want to derive "Molly" from it, then go for it.
This message was edited 5/17/2006, 6:30 PM
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I looked it up on here and it said it's possibly Aramaic or derived from the Hebrew name Mahlah. either way, it should be ma-HALL-ia. people have been known to mispronounce their names due to ignorance on their parents' part.
1. yes, I could see Molly as a nn for Mahalia.
2. yes, I can picture Molly on the described girl, though I am not so sure about Mahalia.
1. yes, I could see Molly as a nn for Mahalia.
2. yes, I can picture Molly on the described girl, though I am not so sure about Mahalia.
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maHAYLyah is *NOT* a mispronunciation
This is my daughter's mn, it is a family name for us, I have known people outside the family with this name, we *ALL* pronounce it maHAYLyah, and have always, everyone in the South does, and Mahalia Jackson did not mispronounce her own name, nor were her parents ignorant, and neither am I. Variations in dialects and pronunciation led Theophania to be Tiffany. There are many, many other examples like this.
And what difference does it make what color Mahalia's hair and eyes are? Does Debbie always have to be blonde? Does Redhead's real name have to be Ginger?
~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
This is my daughter's mn, it is a family name for us, I have known people outside the family with this name, we *ALL* pronounce it maHAYLyah, and have always, everyone in the South does, and Mahalia Jackson did not mispronounce her own name, nor were her parents ignorant, and neither am I. Variations in dialects and pronunciation led Theophania to be Tiffany. There are many, many other examples like this.
And what difference does it make what color Mahalia's hair and eyes are? Does Debbie always have to be blonde? Does Redhead's real name have to be Ginger?
~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
1
sorry if I offended you in some way. I speak modern Aramaic so I was simply giving the proper transliteration to the extent of my knowledge with regards my language. didn't mean to step on anyone's toes.
1
Okay, no big, it's all good
I apologize if I came off sounding obnoxious. It just happens to be close to my heart is all.
"I wish I spoke whale..." I mean, modern Aramaic. How cool is that. ;)
~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
I apologize if I came off sounding obnoxious. It just happens to be close to my heart is all.
"I wish I spoke whale..." I mean, modern Aramaic. How cool is that. ;)
~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
1
no problem.:)
it *may* have originated as a mispronunciation way back when, but if generations of your family have pronounced it a certain way along with all the other people on your side of the country I am definitely willing to accept it as an alternate way.
I remember I was irritated when I found out "Rhea" is pronounced "Ree-ah". I decided to heck with it, I am going to pronounce it Ray-ah anyways.;)
it *may* have originated as a mispronunciation way back when, but if generations of your family have pronounced it a certain way along with all the other people on your side of the country I am definitely willing to accept it as an alternate way.
I remember I was irritated when I found out "Rhea" is pronounced "Ree-ah". I decided to heck with it, I am going to pronounce it Ray-ah anyways.;)
1
Mahalia Jackson is the only Mahalia I know of, but I've only ever heard her name pronounced as mah-HALE-yah. That makes more sense to me anyway, with the HALI, the A would have a long A sound because of the I.
~Heather~
~Heather~
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