Yeah, I'd assume they wanted to call her
Aliza. I mean, I don't think it's that bad. I actually think it looks kind of cool (
Elizabeth's never been my favorite name and I tend to think of it as quite boring, plus I like A names in general so that helps). At least they only changed one aspect of the spelling! It's not Alyzibeth or something.
So I don't hate the spelling change, but I'm with you on the nickname. There's a
host of other names they could've gone with, so they must've liked "
Elizabeth" more if they went with that because it's really not a natural leap. You don't pron. Alizabeth with an 'ah' as in 'cat' and you don't pron.
Ali (which I always read as ah-LEE, btw so that irks me right there) with a schewa 'uh' or 'eh' as in
Elizabeth whichever way you pronounce it. Sorry, preaching to the choir, I'll stop! LOL It could be
way worse though.