In the 80's, I was told by a Russian woman that
Julia (YOOL-ia) was a very popular name over there. I thought it was a very beautiful pronuncation, but that it would never work here in the U.S. I have the same reaction to
Juli.
For what it's worth, my favorite incantation of the name is French
Julie (ZHOO-lee).
Juli Maya flows better than
Maya Juli.