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Baby names

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Original poster

Xanthe or Ianthe?

106 replies

CalamityJess · 26/05/2019 21:59

What do you think of these names and which do you prefer?

(Pronounced ZAN-thee and eye-AN-thee)

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BuffaloCauliflower · 29/05/2019 23:20

I think I prefer Xanthe by a margin.

OwlBeThere · 29/05/2019 23:12

@semperldem, it’s how every myfanwy I know pronounces it. I’m in the swansea area, maybe it’s just us!

itssquidstella · 29/05/2019 22:04

Either is lovely

TitilatedOcelot · 29/05/2019 21:59

I prefer Xanthe

Or Iolanthe

SemperIdem · 29/05/2019 21:44

Owl

I’m from S.Wales and have never heard anybody pronounce Myfanwy “muh-VAN-oi”, only ever “muh-VAN-wee”.

There are definitely differences between how North/South Walians pronounce some names but that’s one we probably stand together on.

Original poster
CalamityJess · 29/05/2019 20:41

A doggy Xanthe! I love it Grin

OP posts:
CassianAndor · 29/05/2019 19:24

Owl thank you! One out of three syllables isn’t bad, I suppose Grin.

OwlBeThere · 29/05/2019 19:03

@cassianandor it’s Muh-VAN-wee (or Muh-VAN-oi if you’re in the south of wales)

CatkinToadflax · 29/05/2019 15:07

My very beautiful Labrador is a Xanthe. It always surprises me how many people have never heard of it as a name, and either see it written down and ask how to pronounce it, or hear it said and don't know how to spell it. We still love it though and it's a great name for doggy recall! Grin

FartnissEverbeans · 29/05/2019 14:34

@PBobs I’m saying they’re not just Greek any more. There are lots of words in English that originate in other languages, but they’re English words now.

I don’t think I misread what you’re saying at all

LaminateAnecdotes · 29/05/2019 14:32

how is Myfanwy pronouced,

"Eric" Grin

CassianAndor · 29/05/2019 13:45

Xanthe. There's one at DD's school (no idea if she's of Greek heritage or not).

MoreSliding how is Myfanwy pronouced, it's one I've never attempted as I know I'd get it wrong! Presumably not Mifanwee.

LaminateAnecdotes · 29/05/2019 13:42

Ianthe

I keep seeing this, and it triggers my inner G&S as I think Iolanthe Grin

DataColour · 29/05/2019 13:38

I much prefer Ianthe.

I'm biased because my 8yr old DD is called Ianthe:-) Pronounced I-AN-THEE. Never encountered anyone who had problems pronouncing her name. The school that she attends is quite multicultural and the name blends in easily.
Sometimes I have to spell it out (same for Xanthe I suspect) for people, and I say it's spelt Ian The!

Bobbybobbins · 29/05/2019 13:18

I prefer Xantia (sorry no help!)

PBobs · 29/05/2019 13:07

@Fart you're misreading my post or maybe it's that my English isn't good enough. I said claiming that they are not Greek names and that somehow they have been subsumed into English culture is appropriation. I've said several times that using these names if you're not Greek is fine and dandy and great - even mispronouncing them is fine by me - we're all trying to mix cultures etc and that's wonderful. It's the claim that somehow they're no longer Greek that I don't agree with. I'm going to step away now as you seem convinced that I'm claiming something I'm not.

FartnissEverbeans · 29/05/2019 12:51

@PBobs - So is Penelope cultural appropriation? Helen? Alexander? As a Scottish person should I be offended if you decide to call your child Rory?

puppylovebaby · 29/05/2019 01:05

I adore Xanthe. I also like Ianthe but would go with Xanthe.
I know one child called Xanthe and she is divine

TheRLodger · 28/05/2019 20:51

Love both but if push came to shove I think I prefer Ianthe

PBobs · 28/05/2019 20:44

@More is your question to me? Not sure I follow your thinking. I haven't said anywhere that English people shouldn't use Greek names. Nor have I been critical of English pronunciations of Greek names, except to say I prefer the way that most of them sound in Greek which I think it fair enough. I suspect most Welsh people feel the same. But I also suspect most Welsh people would argue Welsh names are Welsh. Doesn't mean others can't use them and pronounce them as they like really. My name is mispronounced every day in an Anglicised way but that's part of living internationally. If I'd been that fussed I'd have stayed in Greece.

MoreSlidingDoors · 28/05/2019 20:00

They're Greek names. In Greek stories. Some names have been used by non-Greek classicists but in a sensitive and culturally appropriate way. To argue they're not Greek is pretty out of order. The fact that students in England might read about them at school doesn't suddenly make them English names.

What proportion of non-Welsh speakers do you think pronounce Myfanwy correctly?

ZebraKid71 · 28/05/2019 19:25

I know two xanthes and they both pronounce it to begin with a "ks" sound, rather than a z.

I do really like it though.

GeorgeTheBleeder · 28/05/2019 19:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TatianaLarina · 28/05/2019 19:00

An acute accent on the e would signal Xanthay rather than Xanthee

PBobs · 28/05/2019 18:57

@Fart I agree with all comments regarding mixing of names and the use of names if you like them and sod what others think - as per my post. But I disagree with you strongly that they are not Greek names. They're Greek. They are used in different countries but they're Greek names that have been adopted and in some cases (poorly) adapted. Your suggestion of culture grown out of Greek culture etc is true to a certain extent but you do want to make sure you don't argue too hard for cultural appropriation. They're Greek names. In Greek stories. Some names have been used by non-Greek classicists but in a sensitive and culturally appropriate way. To argue they're not Greek is pretty out of order. The fact that students in England might read about them at school doesn't suddenly make them English names.