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Original poster

Bethan - how is it pronounced?

28 replies

longestlurkerever · 13/01/2015 16:34

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.

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Christelle2207 · 16/01/2015 19:51

I'm (north) welsh. Beth-an. I love the name but most English would say Beth'n which IMO is not pretty. We live in England hence took it off the listHmm.

DownyEmerald · 16/01/2015 16:57

I grew up just over the border from North Wales and Bethan was a fairly common name.
We all said Beth'n, but I was aware there were some adults who pronounced it Beth-an, and some who pronounced it Beth-anne (with more emphasis on the anne bit). At the time I assumed it was to do with degrees of Welsh-ness, but now looking back I wonder if the Beth-an's were north welsh and the Beth-anne's south welsh?

Incidentally I gave my daughter a Welsh name - seemed natural as where I grew up was full of Joneses, Hugheses, etc etc, and the area had been in Wales/not in Wales many times. And we spend so much time on holiday in Wales. But people say "are you Welsh" and I have to say no! DD's name also has a different pronounciation in South Wales than we use.

PrimalLass · 16/01/2015 16:42

Beth-in. I only know one.

BestIsWest · 16/01/2015 16:40

Cats is right.

CatsAreLikeChocolates · 16/01/2015 16:37

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.

atticusclaw · 16/01/2015 16:35

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.

SouthernComforts · 16/01/2015 16:31

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

spiderlight · 16/01/2015 16:28

BETHan. South Welsh.

Original poster
longestlurkerever · 16/01/2015 09:29

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.

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FoxyMcFox · 15/01/2015 20:27

ARGGHHHH sorry about the "x" Blush

FoxyMcFox · 15/01/2015 20:27

Bethun round here.

What about Bethany? Nobody would say Bethuny surely? X

Allstoppedup · 15/01/2015 20:14

My best friend is a Welsh Bethan.

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

She generally goes by Beth though! ??

CleverPlansAndSecretTricks · 15/01/2015 20:04

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

Either way accent very much on the first syllable.

Belazu84 · 15/01/2015 20:02

I know a Bethun. Welsh heritage but English accent.

passmethevino · 14/01/2015 21:56

One of my best friends is Beth-un.

BestIsWest · 14/01/2015 10:43

Beth- un. I live in South Wales.

nagynolonger · 14/01/2015 10:35

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

manicinsomniac · 14/01/2015 10:31

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

Bue · 14/01/2015 10:25

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

VashtaNerada · 13/01/2015 17:24

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!

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 13/01/2015 17:22

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 Grin.

Original poster
longestlurkerever · 13/01/2015 16:51

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.

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EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 13/01/2015 16:43

Definitely BETH-an. (I grew up in South Wales from the age of 6, if it makes a difference) Grin (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

Walkingonsunshine00 · 13/01/2015 16:42

Beth-Ann with emphasis on Beth

Original poster
longestlurkerever · 13/01/2015 16:41

...or not! Crossed posts Smile.

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