How would you pronounce Zelo and what do you think?

[GoForBaroque]

For a boy. It's Italian for 'zeal' and is the name of a character in an early opera which I love.

[carrotsandcelery]

I would say "Zeal" "o" (as in "go").

I love the meaning.

I think the name itself would depend upon where you live, what your surname is like and that sort of thing.

[TidyDancer]

Zee-low.

It's not bad, would depend on the surname though.

[ItsGrimUpNorth]

Makes me think of a bike.

[carrotsandcelery]

Would you use it on a day to day basis or use a nn of any sort?

Do you have an interesting surname or a very ordinary one?

Is there an Italian connection in the family?

Zelo Smith sounds a bit odd.

Zelo De Mario (sorry can't think of an Italian surname) sounds fab.

[GoForBaroque]

Surname is a bit like Morris, so fairly dull really. No Italian connection. We live in fairly poncy Hampshire village

[GoForBaroque]

Would prefer not to shorten or use a nn.

[TidyDancer]

Trouble is, with that kind of name, it will be shortened. People will refer to little Zelo as Zee by the time of his first birthday. I have a DS with that exact issue. Luckily, the NN is one I don't mind and I was fully prepared for it, but it's difficult to enforce 'non-use' of a NN. Small children attract cutesy versions of their names like honey attracts bees, IYSWIM.

I think it's possibly too 'out there' with a normal English surname.

[GoForBaroque]

I'm afraid you're right about the 'out-there' aspect, Tidy. Dammit. Thanks for your post.

It's actually pronounced 'Zay-lo'. It's interesting that most people went for the long 'ee' sound, hadn't occurred to me but then when you know how YOU pronounce it you don't think of the obvious.

[ShowOfHands]

Introducing the Gillette Zelo. Precise, smooth lines and a close finish. Zelo from Gillette.

The Renault Zelo. Has um break horse power and shiny bits. Brum brum. Buy a Zelo today.

It's not too bad tbh but I think you need to be Italian or have a fabulous surname.

[ShowOfHands]

What about Keane?

[GoForBaroque]

We all have dark hair

[ShowOfHands]

I'd have said Zaylo btw to rhyme with the annoying way they say hello in American chipper sitcoms.

[EnjoyResponsibly]

I would pronounce it to rhyme with Cello or yellow which isn't what you're hoping for I think.

[Curtainmyself]

Sounds like a cleaning product. Why do people feel they have to find ridiculous names.

[carrotsandcelery]

If you are in a poncy Hampshire village then you might get away with it.

Both my dcs have names which end in an "ee" sound, although not spelt that way. Both names are 2 syllables and neither has been given a shortened form of the name. If you consistently use the full name others usually follow.

School friends can end up calling them anything at all, whatever you name them yourself.

I used to be a teacher and find that even if a name is a bit unusual, you get used to it very quickly.

[GoForBaroque]

The thing that puts me off most is the thought of constantly having to repeat/spell/explain. At least it's not hard to spell...

[noddyholder]

zell o

[pixiestix]

I would have rhymed with with jello or yellow. Not keen (arf)

[Sophiesmummie]

I'd say Zelo, nickname Zee. Love it!

[Sophiesmummie]

Lovely meaning too.

[Heatherhills]

When I say it it sounds like I'm saying "say hello"