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Original poster

Girl name: Étaín

32 replies

kittyonthebeam · 27/08/2010 13:30

Off the cuff what comes to mind?

We'd probably spell it Etaine.

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chipmonkey · 28/08/2010 23:42

Stleger I am glad about that. I thought I had it wrong when I met the Etain I know as I secretly preferred the Etain-rhymes-with-Elaine version!

Original poster
kittyonthebeam · 28/08/2010 11:40

Oh thank you stleger, very kind of you. And thanks for the link must look it up now.

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stleger · 28/08/2010 10:20

Gotcha! It is pretty. Www.babynamesofireland.com has pronunciation, and a very posh gentleman telling you the history of the name, and related legends. He is saying it more or less to rhyme with Elaine.

Original poster
kittyonthebeam · 28/08/2010 09:26

My daughter's name is www.babyhold.com/option,com_fireboard/Itemid,70/func,view/id,144607/catid,2/limit,6/limitstart,0/

The post with the rose. It is a very unusual name and I'd out myself immediately if I just wrote it down. We are very ungreek btw, though my Dad is Persian and all his family have a greek middle name for whatever weird reason.

An Irish name is a bit 'out there' for us as no connection, just love the story behind it.

It would fit with our last name I guess. Will ask husband for opinion though ultimately it'll be me who decides. I push, I have the last say Grin

Thank you stleger, I will search online for a website to pronounce it for me.

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mathanxiety · 28/08/2010 01:34

Echo?

wisteria12 · 28/08/2010 01:07

maryz - The fact that people have to argue over the pronunciation is my point exactly. I mean, I'd pronounce Caoilfhionn "Kowillfeeon" for goodness' sake. Grin

maryz · 27/08/2010 23:41

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stleger · 27/08/2010 23:32

Ya reckon? I have a customer called Grainne, I pronounce it the way she pronounces it, my boss strangles it (he was educated through Irish). I must ask him how to pronounce EtainSmile. It is a nice name, looking at it written down, it should be user friendly!

maryz · 27/08/2010 23:17

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stleger · 27/08/2010 22:39

I wanna know the Greek name too! Pronunciation of Irish names always lead to chaos on here, I think you need to hear it aloud; plus different regional accents vary it.

wisteria12 · 27/08/2010 22:24

kittyonthebeam - What's your DC's name? I love love love Greek names (and Greek men people) but I'm just too un-Greek to pull one off.

RE: Etain or however you spell it, I think it sounds lovely but I honestly would have no clue how to pronounce it without someone telling me. It's the curse of gaelic names unfortunately; they're lovely once you hear them aloud, but written down they're a nightmare.

chipmonkey · 27/08/2010 20:21

All I know about her is that at some stage she sat by a well!Grin

maryz · 27/08/2010 20:15

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chipmonkey · 27/08/2010 20:01

Now, Etaoin would be pronounced like Elaine but with a "t"

But I usually find people outside Ireland get confused by too many vowels.

stleger · 27/08/2010 18:49

I'm sure there is a website which pronounces Irish names out loud? Does it go well with your surname? My dd1 has a name, 4 letters, very phonetic English pronunciation - nobody seems able to say it or spell it first time.

ValiumSingleton · 27/08/2010 18:28

I've heard of Etaoin.

Original poster
kittyonthebeam · 27/08/2010 17:21

Our first one has a very old greek name that really no one has but sounds french so not a problem. Like unusual names if they are not very out there Grin

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Bagpusstree · 27/08/2010 17:12

Reading the thread title, I pronounced it as its spelt, what with being un-cultured an all.... 'Eh-tayn"

Quite like it though, definitely unusual without being far out there.

Original poster
kittyonthebeam · 27/08/2010 17:10

I know prettybird. Hence the importance of fada and spelling. It will definitely not be pronounced french...I hope. Smile

I've trailed google but cannot come up with a comclusive spelling. I am v v confused now. I think this name might be too challenging for me. hmmm

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Mahraih · 27/08/2010 17:06

I like it, written, but would be confused as to how to pronounce it if someone didn't explain.

But yes, it has a lot of charm when writtenm it's cute.

prettybird · 27/08/2010 16:58

"étain" is pewter or tin in French.

Original poster
kittyonthebeam · 27/08/2010 16:43

I didn't know this math. Thanks for your input. Unforch I only know 1 Gaelic speaker. Have only seen the writing as in my OP, never knew there was a different one. I can't even do a fada on my old rusty laptop.

Off to google a different spelling. Many thanks! Cannot really find anyone alive with that name. Does it have a bad connotation?

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BabyBolat · 27/08/2010 15:40

It's gorgeous! No one can pronounce my sons name properly (even me sometimes) but it doesn't matter - if you love a name you love it xxx

mathanxiety · 27/08/2010 15:32

If you put the fada on the I you make the I sound EEE (long E). So you come up with Ay-teen if you spell it as in the OP.

If you want to end up with AY-tawn you need the fada on the E and then the A.

Original poster
kittyonthebeam · 27/08/2010 14:17

Thanks Morgan, hadn't considered that Hmm

True.

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