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Baby names

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Original poster

Evelyn? EV-lin or ev-UH-lin?

36 replies

pinkgirlythoughts · 07/04/2011 10:47

Title says it all, really. Do you pronounce Evelyn with two syllables or three? DP claims he can't hear the difference, but to me they sound significantly different, and if we use it I want to choose which way to pronounce it, rather than just 'falling into' one pronunciation or the other.

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bronze · 08/04/2011 16:30

Yes. When I was younger I thought Evelyn Waugh was a woman because of the way it was pronounced. Then I found out who he was. Grin

I wonder if its a regional and generational thing. Fredfreds aunt was 98 my grandmother would have been about 100 now...

Or maybe it just is either anywhere and people pick which they like.
I still prefer Evelyn for a girl because Eve is a female name but it's may just be a matter of taste

Fredfred · 08/04/2011 15:52

My 98 year old great aunt pronounced her name Eve-lyn until the day she died!!

Personally, I prefer the pronunciation Ev-a-lin which I absolutely love and considered for dd2 and would've used until dh vetoed it :(

meadowlarks · 08/04/2011 15:45

bronze - I'm sure it must be a regional thing because four generations of my family have the male name pronounced Eve-lin. As far as I know that was always the accepted pronunciation for males - you must have heard of Evelyn Waugh?

Bue · 08/04/2011 13:49

It's sort of between the two... Ev-uh-lin, but the uh is quite slight.

pinksky · 08/04/2011 12:05

Have always pronounced it Eve - uh - lyn (as in Waugh). Lovely name

Tabliope · 08/04/2011 11:11

I have an aunty Ev-lin (Scottish). I always though Eve-lin was the male version and sounded a lot posher.

bronze · 08/04/2011 08:49

Merry
Pants. Means generations of women in my family have got it wrong then. Its dds middle name and was my grans too, and her mothers and...

I suspect it's a regional thing

Eve is a girls name, sounds female
Ev sounds hard

Bubbaluv · 08/04/2011 06:02

I would say it like Ever-lin

brightcopperkettles · 08/04/2011 05:40

I would pronounce it Ev-eh-lyn but think it's lovely however you want to say it.

blueberrymoon · 07/04/2011 23:11

I was only wondering about this today!!
Ev-A-lyn? Is that with emphasis on the A, and like 'ay'?

stepawayfromthebiscuits · 07/04/2011 22:50

Ev - Lin. AFAIK that's the Scottish pronunciation too if that matters to you. It probably is a little bit more old fashioned, but very lovely and definitely not the male way of saying it (isn't it eve-Lin Waugh the novelist?). I know a little Evelyn (her parents say ev-lin!) and she's gorgeous :)

meditrina · 07/04/2011 22:39

Eve-Lynn (for younger holders of the name) or Ev-Lynn (more old fashioned, and all males).

Hulababy · 07/04/2011 22:34

Eve-lin

Emelene · 07/04/2011 22:17

I would say it Ev-uh-lin.

SolarPanel · 07/04/2011 21:44

Ev-lin

MerryMarigold · 07/04/2011 21:02

ooh, looks like I'm right bronze! Wink

meadowlarks · 07/04/2011 20:24

Oh god, not this again. Eve-lin is the male pronunciation, Ev-lin or Ev-uh-lin is female. I personally pronounce the girl's version the latter way.

bronze · 07/04/2011 20:24

Merry Ive always known it the other way round Grin

bronze · 07/04/2011 20:23

Eve lin

MerryMarigold · 07/04/2011 20:22

(I think the Irish say Ev-lin, but if there's anyone out there, do correct me!)

I always think of Eve-lyn as the boys' version and Ev-lin as the girls' version!

MerryMarigold · 07/04/2011 20:21

Ev-lin

tabulahrasa · 07/04/2011 20:20

Ev-e-lin or Eve-lin, never Ev-lin

SpringHeeledJack · 07/04/2011 14:45

I know an Ev-lin and an Eve-lin, but no third syllable

(to confuse matters further)

laughinglil · 07/04/2011 14:44

love Ev-A-lin ..don't like the pronunciation of Ev-lin thats what put me off calling dd it.

BarbieLovesKen · 07/04/2011 12:36

Its pronounced ev-A-lin where I am. (which I think is really gorgeous btw). Dont like Ev-lin at all.

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