Hello!
Baby #1 is due December 5, it’s a girl. Last name is Dimmons (with an S), my name is Hayley (with a K) and husband’s name is Truett (not sure how to do a “sounds like” with that one!) Assuming the next question is, “is your husband from Texas?” and the answer is yes.
Both of us have less common names, or names that are often misspelled/mispronounced (Kylie, Kaylee, Kayla, or any version of those with an H), and Truett becomes Truitt or Trent/Trevor/Trey/literally any other T name when people don’t listen.
My name came from a combination of my parent’s middle names (Kay and Leon) and I’ve always loved to have that story/explanation. Truett was a friend of their family, hence the -ett spelling.
I share a birthday with my great-grandmother, Mozelle. I mentioned that name to him before we got pregnant, and the nickname for the fetus immediately became Moz (pronounced: Maahhzz). We both love the nickname but are now hedging on Mozelle, because it’s too unusual? I know older names are making a comeback (two Sylvia babies on my timeline, Clara, Nora, etc etc), but Mozelle didn’t seem to be that popular back in the day, either. A part of me is okay with an unusual name, but the other part doesn’t want to subject her to the annoyance we both have with our first names.
I guess I’m just wanting a reaction to that name from someone I don’t know. Too weird? Too old? Too unusual? What’s the point if we’re just going to call her Moz all the time? Middle name would probably be Kay.
Our only other back-up name at this point (I know we have months to consider, but I’m a planner and it’s bugging me) is Elliott. But the nickname for some would probably be Ellie, right? I have a first cousin with that name. Too close.
Thanks for reading. Appreciate any input from you and your readers!
Kayley
I am going to proceed on the assumption that the full name is pronounced like a continuation of the nickname: i.e., mah-ZELLE rather than mo-ZELLE. And that brings us directly to the issue I personally would find most irritating, if I used or had the name: correcting the pronunciation. (My first attempt to pronounce it would have been mo-ZELLE, and I was thinking “Oh, cute, she could also choose to go by Mo if she wanted to!”)
The name is certainly unusual: it’s not even in the Social Security Administration database for 2018, and all a name has to do to get in there is be used for at least five babies in the whole country that year. Not in the database for 2017, either, or 2016; I finally found 6 Mozelles born in 2012, but then none in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and then I stopped looking. I think it is safe to say that part of the package deal of this name would be its unfamiliarity: you and she would have to repeat it and spell it and pronounce it often.
However, it’s a family name, and “It was my great-grandmother’s name” is one of the best ever justifications for going to that trouble. Were you and she close, or is this a family-tree name but not someone you personally knew? I am more all-in on honor names if there is a relationship to remember.
The -elle ending is helpful: it’s a popular sound right now. But it worries me that you mention not wanting to use the name Elliot because it might have the nickname Ellie: one of the things I like about the name Mozelle is that she can go by Ellie if that ends up being more her style than Moz.
I would definitely not name her just Moz, if that’s one of the possibilities you’re considering (“What’s the point if we’re just going to call her Moz all the time?”). Which brings me to the topic of Fetus Names: many, many parents have cute nicknames for the fetus (Bean, Bear, Teddy, Peanut, Sprout, Demon Spawn, etc.), but it’s not necessary to make those nicknames part of the given name in order to continue using them as long as you want to. You can name this baby whatever you want, and then still call her Moz. “That’s what we called her when I was pregnant, and it just stuck!”
This is your first baby, so if you think you might have more than one child I’d also advise thinking ahead to future sibling names. It isn’t that you should try to plan out alllll the names right now (coming up with ONE name is hard enough), or that sibling names have to coordinate—but, especially considering the significant style difference between the two name candidates on your list, I think it’s a good idea to think ahead to what other names you might want to use in the future, in order to avoid backing yourself into a corner with the first choice. If you don’t have any names you want to use except Mozelle and Elliot, go through a baby name book and make a list of names you don’t mind: that is, if you HAD TO use a name other than Mozelle or Elliot, or if babies were assigned names at birth by the government, which names would you be okay with? Then evaluate those names for style clumps: do you see a lot of unisex/surname names like Elliot? a lot of unusual old-fashioned names like Mozelle? or a lot of some other style, such as the more common vintage revivals (Charlotte, Oliver), or timeless classics (Josephine, Simon), or contemporary names (Caden, Briley), or hip biblical (Ezra, Moses), or grandparent names (Jean, Robert), or next-batch vintage (Agatha, Arthur), or what? (I recommend The Baby Name Wizard for helping narrow in on your style.) Which of the names go together in a way that feels like your future family, and which names feel like novelties/outliers of your usual style?
Also, I wonder if you’d like to do the combining-parent-names thing again? Truly would be a pretty cute name.
What does everyone else think of the name Mozelle?
Honestly, I’m not a fan at all. I love family names but this doesn’t work for me. Use it as a middle name! Seems much better for that.
I love it!! It’s a unique and beautiful name with a great story. Go for it!
I couldn’t do it, even with the family connection. But Hazel came to mind as a nod to the -elle ending without being Ellie-adjacent.
My daughter’s teacher had a girl name picked (but didn’t get to use) of Mazzy, after a singer named Mazzy Star. That’s the second thing I thought of when I heard the nickname Moz pronounced Mahhz.
I agree with Swistle’s advice to try to find a clue in the baby name books to get yourself to a genre. I respect your families’ naming traditions in how the two of you got your names, but I’m thinking you’d be better off just picking something than trying to rearrange what you have. If that makes sense. Maybe it would help to look toward the Jewish practice of picking a name that starts with the namesake’s initial; babies are named “for” someone who has died, not “after” someone who may or may not still be alive. There are so many girl M names that you could go through. Margaret, for example, has lots of nicknames. Madge is the one that came to mind for your current nickname. Food for thought.
As usual Swistle’s advice is spot on. When I initially read it, I assumed it was pronounced mo-zelle (rather than mah) and thought it was super cute and could lend itself to cute names like Mo and Mozy. Adorable. If it’s Moz (pronounces mahz) I think that’s going to be slightly more difficult for people to grasp. I would say to continue to use Moz as a nickname regardless of the first name and maybe use Mozelle as a middle name instead.
I do think Mozelle pronounced Mah-zelle is pretty, but I wonder if some associations like Maahtz-erella, Matza-balls, Maahz-oleum have kept the name from rising in popularity? Or even the sound of Ma Zelle, as if it’s a title?
That being said, there are a lot of cool names with the -ah and Z/S sounds you like.
1. I knew a woman named Roselle who sometimes shortened it to Rose.
2. How about Rosamund or Roslyn or Rosalind, with Roz as a nickname?
3. Maaahhz reminds me of Maude, which is an excellent name and instantly pronounceable.
4. Or Molly, Mol.
5. Zara?
I think you’re on to a really beautiful name, but I’d give myself the freedom to modify the fetus name to find something easy to live with and to your exact taste. Good luck!
Yet another excuse for me to mention Maelle, a rising star of a baby name. MY-elle, I believe, but a Breton person would definitely correct my pronunciation :)
I searched Baby Name Wizard for the letters “-mas-” and found a bunch of girl names. A couple stood out:
Amasa
Maselyn (reminds me of Jocelyn, Joss)
Masika
Tamasin
Tomasa
I know a Mozelle! She’s one of the pilates instructors at my gym. It’s pronounced moe-zelle (hard oh, not like ma). My association is positive and that makes me like it a lot.
Also, a day later add on, it has never occurred to me to comment on the name of the Mozelle I know. That’s just her name! No one at the gym seems to have much trouble with it. But I’m still having trouble with the mah-zelle association, maybe because that’s not the way the one person I know with this name pronounces it?
I LOVE it. It has family history, it sounds feminine yet strong, few people will share it with her. My name is Michael and I am a girl, so I’m always fighting mispronunciations and spellings. I don’t mind it because the story behind my name is a good one and it has helped make me who I am. I think you should go for it.
I think it’s wearable and fun. I would want to use the nickname Zelly, but Moz is fun too. It does remind me a bit of Mademoiselle. You’re going to have to spell and pronounce it a lot, but that could happen with any name and I don’t think it should be a dealbreaker (or it wouldn’t be for me). I would just say “rhymes with gazelle” and I think people will be fine.
I do think Swistles advice to consider potential sibling names is a great idea. Are they also unique? If not, I would consider moving it to a middle name spot. I also second the recommendation of The Baby Name Wizard (there’s a website, but the new edition of the book is what you really need! It’s by Laura Wattenburg). If you decide your tastes are more Elliot, Elliot Mozelle has a nice ring to it. You could even call an Elliot “Lio” (pronounces Leo) which feels like a fun nod to your dad.
Oh I love love Zelly!
Oh, i like Lio for Elliot. Sounds like fun :) I was thinking Lottie,
It reminds me of mozilla like firefox web browser which isn’t a good or bad association. The bigger issue for me is pronunciation. Assuming you live in the US I think people will default to MOE zelle.
How much annoyance do you have about your unusual first names? Is it enough that having to deal with all of the oohing, ahhing, misspelling, and errant pronunciations are a deal breaker? If so, don’t name her Mozelle, since this will not come back? Does having a combo of your parents name counteract that enough that you feel happy about your name most of the time? This might be a good option.
I do think that any Mozelle will need to spell and pronounce her name many times during her life. She will hear all the time, that’s an interesting name, or ooh I never heard that before. I happen to love the name, but would probably be part of the ooh fun name crew that would get old.
I think this might be a good moment for the starbucks test. Do you feel good about going into a Starbucks and saying that it was your name? How do you feel about the response?
I work with a woman named Mozelle. Except she pronounces it like Moe-zelle. Her friends call her Moe. She’s in her 60s and very sweet. I’ve known her for many years, so I don’t think of her name being unusual, though I suppose it is. It’s not my style but I don’t hate the name at all. I do think some people would struggle with how to pronounce it.
I really struggle to read that name pronounced any way but Moe-zell. If it was spelled Mazelle I think it would be pronounced closer to how you want but then it wouldn’t be spelled accurately.
Here in New Zealand/Australia you probably wouldn’t call a child Moz – the nickname would be pronounced Mozz and here a mozzie is a mosquito.
I probably wouldn’t go for both unique spelling and non phonetic pronunciation in the same name, it would just annoy me too much to have to explain it all the time. I would either call her Mazelle or choose a more common name.
What about the name Mazie/Masie with nickname Maz/Moz? It would go great with future sibling Elliott!
I love the name and hope you continue to think about using it!
I’m a bit torn… On one hand, I really like the idea of naming your baby girl after your beloved great-grandmother, and Mozelle isn’t a bad name at all (as mentioned before, that -elle ending makes it sound feminine and kind of familiar).
On the other hand, “Mozilla Firefox” was also the first thing that came to my mind after reading it, and I agree with commenters before me that the pronounciation would probably be problematic (I’m not a native English speaker, but I also assumed that it’s “moe-zelle” rather than “mah-zelle”).
So, all in all, my advice would probably be: if you really love this name – go for it, it’s fine; however, if you can’t let go of some serious doubts – choose a safer option and use it as a middle name (you can still call her Moz as a nickname).
P.S. Marigold Mozelle Dimmons nn Moz/Maz would be cute!
I too have never heard or seen Mozelle and would have said “moe-Zell”. It reminds me of Mozart so that’s what informed my guess.
I would personally not prefer to have to correct pronunciation that often on a name. But it’s wearable and namesakes are special.
Also- I love the idea of Truly to mimic your name story. Truly Mozelle?
I love love love Mozelle, and I like that it’s a family name for you. But then I agree with Swistle, the pronunciation could be an issue, I immediately thought it’s mo-ZELLE, and I guess that would feel like default pronunciation for people, although I’m not even an English native so I might be wrong. If the rarity of the name bothers you very much, use it as a middle name, would be cute still. I’m not a fan of Moz, but it’s you who have to like it, I just wouldn’t recommend it as a full name, Mozelle is in my opinion so so much better.
I think it’s a great choice. Mozelle nickname Moz, if she tires of that she can go by Zelly someday. Or Zelle.
It sounds like you and your husband both have had your share of name confusion. But do you still like your names? If so, then why would your daughter feel differently. She’ll probably love her name for it’s significance despite the confusion. If, however, you and your husband both feel you’d change your name in a second if given the chance…. Probably best to avoid giving her a name with the same issues.
I like Mozelle a lot. I also would have pronounced it Moe-zelle and I think you will get a lot of that, which may or may not be a deal breaker. (Especially consider if your kiddo herself calls herself Moe). I like the nicknames of Mo, Mozy, Zelle, Zellie too.
I know you and your husband have had an especially frustrating time with people getting your names wrong, but I also don’t think that you can prevent it completely. My daughter is M@ry, one of the most common names over the history of the United States and people get it wrong ALL the time. So while you can minimize the frustration with names, it’ll still happen some.
The Baby Name Wizard is a brilliant book (and website) for finding your naming style(s).
And yes, try the Starbucks test.
I’ve always liked that name! I associate it with the movie “Eve’s Bayou”, which I think was the first place I heard it. If I met a little Mozelle, I’d be psyched.
I most prefer the idea given above of going with Maisie (or whatever spelling version of that name is that is most popular). I think Mozelle is just too uncommon if you don’t want to deal with the same issues as you and your husband had with your names. Also love the idea of using a Z name (Zinnia… Zelda… Zora… Zara!) since Z is the prominent letter in Mozelle. Or an Elle name of some sort, maybe most ideally one ending in ‘elle or ‘belle, or even ‘ella if that style suits you, so that Ellie or Elle wouldn’t be the go-to nickname but it would still reference Mozelle. Rosella, Corabelle, Estella… so many good choices in this direction.
The immediate associations I have upon seeing the name written is mozzarella, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Mozilla Firefox. Like most, I assumed it would be pronounced moe-zelle. I could get past the associations with this pronunciation, which seems the most obvious/phonetic, if swayed by your family history and love of the name. Pronouncing it mah-zelle, however, changes it a lot for me. It sounds like mazel (as in “mazel tov”), which might lead to confusion/misunderstanding of the name, and is definitely not the obvious pronunciation. For me, having to constantly correct pronunciation would be a deal-breaker.
All that said, I could see it working well as a middle name if you want to use it.
Several people have commented on the pronunciation. Maybe it’s my lazy midwestern accent, but because the accent is on the second syllable, both the Moe-ZELL and Mah-ZELL pronunciations sound almost identical when I say them. (Sort of like how I pronounce Gisele more like Jah-ZELL) Because of that, I don’t think the pronunciation is an issue either way.
I think if you love Mozelle, you should name your daughter Mozelle. It’s unusual, but besides the hassle that would come with any unusual name, not problematic in any way, and I really like the family connection.
I also like the suggestion of Truly.
I’m sorry but I have to agree that the pronunciation is hard.. Mozelle like Gazelle dont look intuitively the same I do like Elliot and think Lottie is another nick name option that gets away from Ellie. Like Zoe could work for Mozelle.
I also was wondering about joined names. Truly is mentioned above but also perhaps Yvette… The Y from Kayley (and your mom Kay) and the ett from Truett. It is very rare name nowadays and has the family connection you like.
Love Yvette idea!
Not sure how I feel about Mozelle. My first association was mozzarella, and that was with pronouncing it “moe-ZELLE,” so it’s an even stronger association with “mah-ZELLE.” I also think of Morrissey (the singer, whose nickname is Moz), Mozilla, GloZell (youtuber), and “mazel tov.”
Similar/related names that come to mind…
Roz was my grandmother’s name, short for Roslyn.
Rosa
Rosalie
Hazel
Estelle
Stella
Selma
I also love the nickname Mo, which could be short for:
Maureen
Monique
Monica
Maura/Moira
Mona
Monet/Monae
Moriah
Morgan
Morgana
Monserrat
Ramona
A combo of your names that could work is Trudy. Trudy Mozelle?
It makes me think of Gazelle…. sorry not a fan. I like Swistle’s idea of Truly. Or I wonder if you can do another name with the nickname Moz.
My grandparents live on Mozelle Street! It’s always been pronounced Moe-zelle in our family, but we’re Californians. I can see Mah-zelle being more intuitive in other regions of the country, or Moz-rhymes-with-Oz being a nickname even if the long form is Mozelle-rhymes-with-Rose+elle.
I also just read through my 1st grader’s school yearbook, so I’m thoroughly convinced that it’s impossible to guess what will be considered a normal name for this generation. I think if you like it, you should go for it.
Wondering if there is any family connection to Moselle, the French department. I think it is doable as a first name, but personally would probably use it as a middle name.
What about Zella? You’d still have to spell it and help people with pronunciation, but it’s much easier to read and say correctly.
My initial reaction was that Mozelle might be misspelt as Moselle or Mosel quite often, because of the wine/place. But, since nobody else has mentioned it, maybe that’s not an issue in the USA.
It’s a sweet name, and I don’t think it would cause too many problems. But, if you’re looking for alternatives, maybe Zelie or Zelda?
Maz is a pretty common nickname for Marilyn where I live. My accent is different from yours, so it’s a bit of guesswork as to what would make the “Mah” sound for you, but:
I also know a Moira who goes by Moz. Imogen might work too. Or Morwenna? Molly? Mary? Mariah? Matilda? Marcia? Morgan? Marisa? Ramona?
Good luck!
I think having unusual names yourselves, you are in a pretty good position to decide if the spelling/pronunciation hassle is worth it. The story behind Mozelle is very sweet. I’d be tempted to use it.
Well the comments clearly show that the assumed pronunciation will be Moe-zelle (which I also assumed at first read!) but if you don’t mind correcting it with a quick “Mozelle, like Gazelle” then I think people will adapt pretty quickly. My first reaction to the name was that it was a bit too weird, but actually after reading through all these comments I am thinking it’s actually a pretty cool name. It has taken me about 10 minutes total to go from “WHOA WEIRD” to “PRETTY COOL” so I think people will get on board with it really quickly if you use it!! You have so many great nickname and cute baby pet name options. Moz, Zellie, Zella, Mozzie, Mozelly-belly, etc!
The initial words it brought to mind for me were Gazelle and Mozilla. Both are neutral associations for me. It reminded me of the name Giselle, if you’re looking for close alternatives. I also love the suggestion of using Maisie / Maizey (pick your own spelling!!)
I think this would definitely be a great middle name! If you use it as a first name, she will absolutely experience mispronunciations every single day of her life. Plus, I think you’re considering the name primarily because it was her in-utero nickname–which in turn is because of the birthday coincidence, and not so much your specific love for the honoree. I definitely find that more moving than the usual “We loved this very trendy name and it happened to appear in our family tree, too” explanation, since the name is so unusual, but it seems like you have absolutely no obligation, unless your great-grandmother is still living and has been informed she might have a namesake.
I would use it as a middle name if you want to spare her some daily hassle. My name was often mistaken for Sharon when I was a shy kid, and having to correct people was pretty excruciating for me until about college. If your daughter introduces herself to everyone as Moz, they MIGHT read Mah-zelle when they see her first name; if she doesn’t, I believe 99% of English speakers will think Moe-zelle first.
Any interest in doing a mashup name like your parents did? You could get a homonym of the word Truly, which I know has been used as a name from time to time.
*homophone!
Good middle name, I think. It makes me think of Mozilla (Firefox, the web browser). And mozzarella.
I’m all for family names. If you weren’t using Kay as the middle name, I’d suggest putting it in the middle of you weren’t sure of using it as a first name.
Another option to use either as a nickname for Mozelle or as the formal first name that would be a nod to Mozelle is Zella. I know a young Zella and have always found it to be charming. I’m sure you’d get a lot of Ella and Zelda initially but that can happen with most names. My Norah gets alot of Laura and Noah, for example.
I have a co-worker with a daughter named Mozelle (pronounced Mo-ZELLE, not Mah) and they call her Mo. It has always sounded very pretty and pleasant to my ear and not too complicated (though potentially the Mah pronunciation could add a little complexity to the situation).
I love the name and think you should use it! But full disclosure I love unique names. I will admit I would have pronounced it Mo-zelle at first glance too. I think at the end of the day so many names, even common ones, have pronunciation/spelling issues. For example, I have a two year old and in our groups we have known two Milas, one pronouncing it My-la and one pronouncing it Me-la, two Emmelines, one pronouncing it Emma-line and one pronouncing it Emma-leen, we’ve heard Eva three ways, Ay-va, Eee-va, and Eh-va. And so forth. And let’s not even get into different spellings (take the name Kaitlyn for example which has multiple common spellings). I guess my point is even popular or familiar names can have these issues. There are some names that don’t (like Elliot) so it just depends on where your priorities lay. I think a name is fine as long as it can be simply explained in a short sentence, “It’s actually pronounced Mah-zelle.” Easy peasy. I was Erika with a K and my whole life I’ve had to clarify but it hasn’t bothered me much. I liked that I had a more unique spelling of a common name, and that it was a nod to my Swedish heritage. My daughter has a unique name (albeit it’s pretty easy to spell and pronounce) and we get compliments all the time. People take delight in hearing a unique name, especially if you have a good story. I like that my daughter won’t go through life meeting tons of people with her same name.
I have some hesitations about Mozelle, pronounced Mah-zel but for context I’m Australian not American which might make my thoughts moot.
I have two associations with the word: the French (?) wine Moselle which is very common here (and a bit outdated) which puts me in mind of 70s names with a faux French air like ‘Charmaine’
The other is Mosul in Iraq where a lot of Australian troops have been based. I don’t know the authentic pronounciation but we tend to say ‘MOh-zel’ with a swallowed second syllable.
I do like elements of the name (big fan of M names and family names) but for me it would go in the middle. Since you mention smoosh names was about a Ma first and a Zelle second which you could smoosh into an honor/secret nickname?
Magnolia Giselle
Maybel Hazel
I looked up Mozelle and see it is a feminization of Moses which might tempt me to save that for a hypothetical boy if you plan more children (I love the name Moses). Or would using Moses for a girl be too wild? I think it gets you to Mahz or Mohz.
Magnolia Gisele is brilliant.
My first (and only) association was with the wine. To me, it’s similar to calling your daughter Chardonay or Champagne or Rioja. Or calling your son Prosecco or Merlot. Not a problem if that’s your style, but if it isn’t be aware that the association exists.
LOVE IT. Use it!!
I like Kay Mozelle nn Moz. :D
I think Kay and Elliot as well as Moz and Elliot sound perfect together. Other possible nicknames for Elliot besides Ellie are: L, Els, Lio, Lottie or none.
Mozelle is very very old lady to me. I’ve only heard it on ladies from my great-grandparents’ and great-great-grandparents’ generations. It’s always moe-zell. Can’t say I’m much of a fan, but it’d make an interesting middle name.
This. Exactly. Probably because the only Mozelle I’ve met was very, very old when I was a young child. And it was also pronounce Moe-zelle.
I know one Mozelle, and she’s in middle school. She pronounces her name Moh-ZELL.
I like the nickname of Zellie!
Swistle is right; is this the style in which you wish to name all your children? If so, EXCELLENT. If not, keep at the drawing board, and you two will hit on the course that works for you!
Congrats!
I’m not a fan (and would have pronounced it Moe-Zelle)- but I do know a girl named Zelle, and I think that is a very workable name! :)
All the heart eyes for Truly. This is inspired! Passing along a name tradition but everyone gets their own name, (unlike a junior). And Truly Mozelle is darling.
I know of girls named Zelie/Zellie/Zaylie (after St. Zelie), so I like Zellie or Zella either as a nickname or given name honoring Mozelle. I also think the nickname Mozy is adorable, pronounced Moe-zy instead of Mahh-zy. Moz pronounced Mahz feels like the brisk nicknames in my mom’s generation, a friend to Barb and Kath and Suze. Definitely would have guessed Moe-ZELLE before Mah-Zelle.
Mostly, I want to say 1) the more I read and think about Mozelle, the more I like it! and 2) Elliott is commonly spelled several ways, so if you go with that you will STILL have to explain if it’s Eliot, Eliott, Elliot or Elliott (or Elliette, which I’ve seen for girls but which I would pronounce differently), plus being a girl name people might mishear it as Ellie, Ella or Eleanor. You could nickname her Lettie or Lottie, or Elsie if you do a middle name that starts with an S. All things being equal, I would go with whichever one you love the most. Truly is a cute idea too!
Zaylie! A combination of mom’s name and the great grandmother’s name. And my mom’s favorite saint is Therese of Lisieux, so her mother, St. Zelie, was the first nn that came to mind.
I think mozelle is a beautiful and unique name with a great grandparent connection. We used great grand parents names for both of ours and have a Clara and Ozro. I just have lots of opportunities to explain he’s named after great grandpa and not the pasta orzo.
Also I was looked up mozelle on nameberry and it said it was a variation of Moselle which meant “drawn from water”. Not sure if that would be significant, but growing up my parents always made sure we knew the meaning of our names, as that was the main reason they were chosen.