Bethan - how is it pronounced?

[longestlurkerever]

I really love this name but am not Welsh. I grew up on the borders of North Wales with lots of Welsh-named school friends though and they generally pronounced it "Beth-An" with the emphasis on the "An" though they were not generally Welsh either - certainly not Welsh speaking though they probably had Welsh backgrounds. I've since heard "Bethun", with the emphasis on the "Beth" and I read a confusing thread with people from South Wales disagreeing about the correct pronunciation. Is it optional/variable depending on accent/dialect or is one of the pronunciations definitely wrong?

We would probably use Beth on a day to day basis anyway so I am not massively bothered if different people pronounce it differently but I am lobbying dh to make Bethan the official name and my cause is not helped by being unsure of how it's pronounced.

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

Beth-an rather than Beth-un. Emphasis on the Beth, usually.

[WishUponAStar88]

I only know one and she pronounces it Bethun. I wouldn't say emphasis on the un but definitely not an 'Ann' sound. She's not Welsh either though.

[longestlurkerever]

Yes, I suppose I don't mean Beth-Anne with the emphasis properly on the "An" but the emphasis being balanced-ish, rather than Beth'n. Good - it seems the way I naturally pronounce it is OK.

[longestlurkerever]

...or not! Crossed posts .

[Walkingonsunshine00]

Beth-Ann with emphasis on Beth

[EvansOvalPiesYumYum]

Definitely BETH-an. (I grew up in South Wales from the age of 6, if it makes a difference) (Listening to the pronunciation, though, there's not a lot of difference between Beth-an and Beth-un). But of course, the emphasis should always be on the 'Beth' bit

[longestlurkerever]

Thanks. The more I think about it the more I do emphasise the Beth, but the "An" bit is quite distinct too - more distinct than when some people say it.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

I know two - one is from a Welsh family and is pronounced Beth-Anne. One is not Welsh and pronounced Beth'n.

Sorry to be no help whatsoever .

[VashtaNerada]

I think it's an accent thing. BETH-an (and MEG-an) are correct with a Welsh accent but sound odd if your normal accent is different!

[Bue]

BETH-un. That's how the ones I know all pronounce it.

[manicinsomniac]

I know two that both say Beth-'n (South East England)

[nagynolonger]

Round here people say Beth-un, but Beth-an does sound nicer.

[BestIsWest]

Beth- un. I live in South Wales.

[passmethevino]

One of my best friends is Beth-un.

[Belazu84]

I know a Bethun. Welsh heritage but English accent.

[CleverPlansAndSecretTricks]

Welsh accent "Beth-an"
English accent "beth'n"

Either way accent very much on the first syllable.

[Allstoppedup]

My best friend is a Welsh Bethan.

We all say it Beth- AN (emphasis on the An)

She generally goes by Beth though! ??

[FoxyMcFox]

Bethun round here.

What about Bethany? Nobody would say Bethuny surely? X

[FoxyMcFox]

ARGGHHHH sorry about the "x"

[longestlurkerever]

Thanks. I think the consensus is that there is no consensus! Which is fine.

Foxy Sorry to say that even though it's only one letter different I really dislike Bethany - it sounds made up.

[spiderlight]

BETHan. South Welsh.

[SouthernComforts]

Beth'n - the one I know is always called Beth through.

[atticusclaw]

I think it entirely depends on whether you have welsh accent.

Similarly my best friend is called Angharad. Sounds completely different when she says it with a Welsh accent to the way everyone else around here says it with English accents.

[CatsAreLikeChocolates]

I'm in Cardiff so I know a few of them. The main difference in the pronunciation seems to be that first language Welsh speakers say Beth-Anne (with the emphasis on the Anne) and the first language English, but are still very much Welsh, amongst us say Beth-an (with the emphasis on the Beth). Either way very pretty and the Welsh version of Elizabeth.

[BestIsWest]

Cats is right.