Message: "Re: BAs from UK" - Behind the Name

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[Opinions] Re: BAs from UK

by Bear

6/14/2011, 1:44 PM

I know Zoe (the only spelling I care for) is popular and some think it's cutesy. But I've always loved it's energy and classical Greek charm. I'd prefer something a little more exotic as a mn than the names listed. But overall I'm happy to see so many Zoes. Zoe Catherine (if I can tweak) is my favorite.

Zafira and Zeva are nice, but I'm always iffy until I see some background on a name that isn't in the database.

Zachary (etc.) is king of Z boy names, isn't he? My favorite form is Zacarius ("zah-CAHR-ee-us"), but all of them are great. Zachary John is my favorite here.

I love Xavier, but not Zavier.

This message was edited 6/14/2011, 1:45 PM

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- Sofia +2

6/14/2011, 2:10 PM

I assume Zeva is a form of Ziva or Zev.
Zafira is a form of Sapphire (in Croatian it's Safir) -http://www.behindthename.com/submit/name/zafira
Don't have any info on popularity or usage though.

This message was edited 6/14/2011, 2:11 PM

- Bear +1

6/14/2011, 3:30 PM

Interesting. Zeev and Ziv have different meanings in Hebrew. I would have pronounced them the same way. Does anyone know for sure?

And if Ziva is "ZHEE-vuh" then sign me up right now. Gorgeous sound and meaning.

I still can't warm up to Zafira, sorry. It reminds me of a video game character. Even Sapphire does, so knowing the meaning / variant doesn't help me. :-/

But Ziva is making up for all that in spades. She's going on my long list right now. Thanks!

- Sofia

6/15/2011, 2:43 PM

The Hebrew Ziva is pronounced ZEE-vah (there's an Israeli lead character on the show NCIS named Ziva, so you can hear it there).
The Slavic Živa is pronounced ZHEE-vah (ž=French J in Jacques).

As for Zeev and Ziv, I assume that Zeeev and Zev are pronounced ZEHV.

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