Message: "Mahala?" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Mahala?

by Chrisell

9/21/2008, 5:08 AM

WDYT of the girls name Mahala? It's pronounced MAH-luh (I know some people and places use muh-HAY-luh or muh-HAH-luh but I prefer MAH-luh because it's the first version I heard).

I used to adore this name back when I thought it meant 'tenderness', which was the meaning given in my very first baby names book. Then I came to BtN and discovered that it was a variation of Mahalah, which means 'weak, sick', and I immediately dropped it off my list because the meaning is too negative for me.

Recently I noticed that the entry for Mahala had been edited, and there's a new meaning! It can also be a variation of Mahalath, which means 'lyre', a perfectly fine association.

So, it's back on my list. Thoughts / impressions?

#Mahala

This message was edited 9/21/2008, 5:09 AM

Replies

- Rosa (pinkmoon_lj)

9/21/2008, 6:14 PM

I like it.

I went to primary school with a girl called Mahalia, which I slightly prefer because it sounds a little bit less awkward. Although Mahala looks nicer *shrug* idk.

MAH-lah might be a bit hard to keep up though.

- Aine (poetic_freedom)

9/21/2008, 12:08 PM

I generally prefer Mahalia, but seeing as that would have the 'weak, sick' meaning, and Mahala has a far superior meaning now, it makes me quite like it. I think you would struggle to get the MAH-lah prn in Australia though. She would be correcting people her whole life.

- Murasaki (lady murasaki)

9/21/2008, 7:20 AM

I rather like Mahalia, not so much Mahala.

- bananarama

9/21/2008, 6:05 AM

Looks like a pseudo-ethnic name, even though it isn't.

- Lizzie_Jay

9/21/2008, 5:12 AM

If I wanted that pronunciation, I would spell it as Mahlah, which is also in the database. Mahala would be Mah-HAH-lah in my mind.

I prefer Mahalia - Ma-HAH-lee-ah.

This message was edited 9/21/2008, 5:13 AM

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