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Baby names

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Original poster

Irene

56 replies

khhoo · 07/02/2018 13:09

Love this name but with pronunciation eye-ree-nee

Most ppl will automatically say it eye-reen though, won't they? 😖

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Buxbaum · 07/02/2018 21:25

Not in the US, no. I think there’s just better understanding now of how this Greek name should be pronounced.

There are multiple spellings because there are several ways of transliterating Ειρήνη to the Latin alphabet.

KatherinaMinola · 07/02/2018 18:55

I was going to say "Yes, as long as you pronounce it Iren-ee" Grin

Lovely name, lovely meaning.

SleepingStandingUp · 07/02/2018 18:53

Think we're largely making up spellings to aid ppronunciation

Meemzinha · 07/02/2018 18:31

Are you all in the US? Irene spelt like this is such a popular name in the UK (only for old people, we do have old fashioned names but not this)

Pronounced eye-reen. And I've never seen another spelling of it.

southboundagain · 07/02/2018 18:04

I know someone called Eirene - she had to tell us it was pronounced eye-ree-nee but we pronounced it correctly after that. It's not the end of the world if you have to correct people - I'll always have to spell my name for people though pronunciation is usually okay!

Namechangeuser · 07/02/2018 18:02

Why not go for Eirini, pronouced ee-ree-nee...it's a very common and popular Greek name.

FartnissEverbeans · 07/02/2018 17:57

Irini and Eirene are both gorgeous. I slightly prefer the latter.

Irena/Irina also beautiful

ronniebarkersauntie · 07/02/2018 17:53

I think it’s a lovely name. We’ve had Ruby, moved on to Edith and Margot, all of which would have been laughable 25 years ago. Irene’s turn now. But I do think it will get mispronounced more often than not.

Fairypantz · 07/02/2018 17:47

I have a friend that pronounces her name Eye-ree-nee but spells it Irene (Greek family). She corrects people when first introduced and people seem to be fine with remembering it and her.

Meemzinha · 07/02/2018 17:46

I didn't realise there was any other way to spell Irene.. But honestly I think it's an awful name.. And old fashioned for a reason!

ladystarkers · 07/02/2018 17:37

Irena after the nurse who saved loads of jewish children innthe war.

demirose87 · 07/02/2018 17:34

It's awful sorry with either pronounciation.Renee is much nicer as a similar option.

Buxbaum · 07/02/2018 17:30

I know an Ireni, pronounced eye-reen-ee.

Enidblyton1 · 07/02/2018 17:09

I love the name (pronounced the way you favour) - it's the name of my lovely Granny. But I couldn't give it to my DD, because I knew she'd always be correcting the pronunciation. Instead she has it as a middle name.

TheVanguardSix · 07/02/2018 17:07

And Irena won't be mispronounced because most people in the UK have European origins or have lived in Europe/lived amongst Europeans and understand the alternate pronunciation of names.

loveka · 07/02/2018 17:06

Come on...

IrenetheQuaint · 07/02/2018 17:06

Excellent name and delighted to hear that you favour the correct pronunciation Grin

TheVanguardSix · 07/02/2018 17:05

I prefer Irena (Ee-ray-nuh), which is the European spelling and pronunciation.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 07/02/2018 17:03

Irene is awful. In the same boat as Brenda, Diane and Carole.

wellhonestly · 07/02/2018 14:25

Well, strangers will pronounce it "Irene", and be prepared for you and DD to correct people when it matters.

But people who have more than a passing contact i.e.friends/ family/ teachers will use the right pronunciation.

Spelling it any other way will bring its own set of problems instead.

How about Iris?

IVflytrap · 07/02/2018 13:45

Actually, just looked it up: you can also spell it Eirene, which is pretty, and also the name of a goddess. Personally, to get the pronunciation you want, I think you'll have to avoid the Irene spelling, as most Brits will think Eye-reen.

IVflytrap · 07/02/2018 13:37

Irini?

SleepingStandingUp · 07/02/2018 13:28

Ireani?

Myddognearlyatethedeliveryman · 07/02/2018 13:19

Renee with a flick thingy on!!

gamerpigeon · 07/02/2018 13:16

Irina instead?

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