Mahlon for a girl

[betakaratene]

It's a family name, belonging to my husband's great uncle, a wonderful person! It's pronounced "MAY- luhn" and we both like the sound of it better for a girl than a boy. But I've seen it spelled differently for girls..... Malin, Maelyn, Maylin etc.

The first spelling (Malin) looks the most trim to me, but it gives more room for pronunciation issues.

WWYD re spelling? I can't get totally comfortable with any of them and need advice! I almost lean towards using the uncle's spelling but that may cause gender confusion issues at the start of school (which, actually, is quite common these days I guess -- we know sisters called Mason, Preslee and Finley (gorgeous girls!!) and my son has 4 Riley's in his grade -- 2 boys/two girls etc., so maybe its not a worry?)

Aside from spelling, what middle names would you pair with it? Here are the other names on our list- each one has family name as first or middle). The baby's gender is unknown and i have about 25 days to go!)

Catherine Lily
Ella Peach (Peach is Dh's grandmother's maiden name)
Benjamin Oliver
Jonah Ryan or James Ryan

sibs are

Reed Douglas &
Claire Annika

[southern.maple]

Mahlon doesn't fit with your other choices at all.

Catherine Lily or Jonah Ryan would be my picks for you. I love the idea of incorporating Peach for a girl though. Ella Peach is way too cutesy for me... what about Catherine Peach?

[mischa]

Mahlon and Malin are actually two different names with different origins. Mahlon is a MALE name from the Bible whereas Malin is a FEMALE name popular in Scandinavia and is a short form of Magdalene. If you want to use the Mahlon spelling, I would advise you to put it in the middle spot (eg. Rose Mahlon, Ruth Mahlon, Grace Mahlon etc...). For the first name, Malin would be the best choice although pronunciation may be an issue (some people pronounce it May-lin and others say MAH-lin). Maelyn and Maylin may be easier for pronunciation purposes but they "look" like trendy smooshes of two names instead of a complete name (May/Mae + Lynn/Lin). I like Jonah or James best with Reed and Claire. The other names look too long next to theirs.

[eddagirl1]

My cousin's name is pronounced the same way but spelled Maylan. It looks a little more feminine to me than Mahlon which has the Biblical male association. I think Maylan Peach or Maylan Lily would be cute (Maylan Lily may get a little -y and -l repetitive though now that I see it typed out). James or Jonah Ryan are both great names and fit so well with your other two! Ella Peach seems a little over the top cutesy IMO but either name is great with a different pairing.

[betakaratene]

I like that the Maylan spelling doesn't look like a name smoosh and also gives the natural option to use May as a NN. Thanks!

[nvettie]

I think Malin or Maelin is your best choice. It's a lovely name and a very good choice in my opinion

[alexia mae]

Mahlon is a gorgeous name, and it's one I wish would get used more. It's a beautiful, uncommon biblical name choice.

This name is on my own name list as an alternative to Mae. I ADORE the Maelyn spelling, I had originally spelled it Maylen, but I love Maelyn more. I love how you can use the nn Mae.

I would change the spelling of it, because it looks masculine, and because of pronunciation issues. I would pair it with:

Maelyn Olivia
Maelyn Peach (I love Peach
Maelyn Aurora
Maelyn Rosalie
Maelyn Juniper
Maelyn Genevieve

[betakaratene]

Great MN suggestions. (Actually, Olivia is my husband's grandmother's name.)

[misshoppy]

I would prefer May-Lynne as a double name.

But Ella Peach and Benjamin Oliver are my favorites!