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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Xavier

54 replies

Rosesaredead · 30/04/2019 11:36

How do you pronounce Xavier?

Everyone I have met with this name in the UK or USA pronounces it "Zay-vee-er" which I really like.

But on Mumsnet when people suggest saying it this way they often get ripped to shreds and told to pronounce it the Spanish way which sounds lovely said in a Spanish accent by a Spanish person but just makes me cringe when said in a British accent and which I KNOW would get me so many Hmm looks if I used for my child. In fact, I'd be giving myself Hmm looks.

So what do you think? Is it really necessary to pronounce it the Spanish way? If so, why is this the only name which people passionately feel can't be anglicanised? The poster who say it must be pronounced in the Spanish way are often so aggressive about it that it's made me anxious! Is it really so terrible to pronounce it the English way? Confused Other names don't get people saying this. For example, we love Genevieve for a girl and posted about it on here but nobody told me I should pronounce it 'Gene-vee-ev' because that's how it's said in France.

Advice please! Grin

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BiscuitDrama · 30/04/2019 11:55

Is the Spanish more Hav i ay?

I knew a french one that was Zav i ay.

WokenUp · 30/04/2019 11:54

What's the Spanish way?

PlatypusLeague · 30/04/2019 11:44

I think it's OK to Anglicise names. Often attempts to sound "authentic" sound worse.

Rosesaredead · 30/04/2019 11:37

*anglicise - sorry! Typo!

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