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Baby names

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Original poster

Names you aren't sure how to pronounce

387 replies

whatausername · 10/04/2020 20:22

Since we're all inside for the foreseeable future...

What are some names you're not quite sure how to pronounce? We'll see if we can help each other. But do take answers with a pinch of salt given the wide variety of accents we all have!

For me: Hebe (hee-bee?) and João leave me feeling uncertain.

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LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 00:58

Or exactly what @Dilisk said. Sorry, half asleep here!
@PerditaProvokesEnmity If Bride was an Irish character (haven't read the books) it could be pronounced Breed-ah, which is also spelt Breda. Or the Irish name Bridie is pronounced Bride-ey. (Bride being pronounced as in bride and groom Smile.) They are both derived from Bridget/Brigid. Bríd is the Irish language form, pronounced Breed. Not entirely sure which was the intended pronunciation here though.

Verily1 · 11/04/2020 00:53

Alicia

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 00:38

Saoirse is Seer-sha, with the emphasis put more on the first syllable (although I agree with what @LightACandleHoney said above too). It's really an 'eh' sound at the end more than a strong 'a,' sound, if that makes any sense.
Similarly Aoife is Ee-feh.
The letter r in the middle of Saoirse is pronounced and no r is added at the end. I know that can be difficult for some UK accents though.

123Dancewithme · 11/04/2020 00:28

Ottilie
Vivienne
Juliet - JOO-lee-et or joo-lee-ET
Aurelia
Damaris
Thirza
Isolde
Keziah
Leonie
Madeline
Isaiah
Jolyon
Jubal
Lucian
Lachlan
Owain
Thaddeus
Zacchaeus
Zimri

Dilisk · 11/04/2020 00:04

Síle is Sheila, roughly, but with the second syllable a schwa.

isabellerossignol · 11/04/2020 00:04

Sile is pronounced Sheela

biscuitsanddiddums · 11/04/2020 00:01

Sile

AngelaScandal · 10/04/2020 23:58

Rid-ee-ann

KatherineJaneway · 10/04/2020 23:57

Nevaeh

Jossina · 10/04/2020 23:57

Rhydian
Is it Ry-dan?

AngelaScandal · 10/04/2020 23:55

Mairead rhymes with parade

AngelaScandal · 10/04/2020 23:52

Odhran is Oar-in .

Heygirlheyboy · 10/04/2020 23:18

Mairead is Ma-raid
Odhran is Odren

bridgetreilly · 10/04/2020 23:18

Leonie: is it LEE-oh-nee, or Lay-OH-nee?

sproutsandparsnips · 10/04/2020 23:06

Angharad - anggg- haar- ad

sproutsandparsnips · 10/04/2020 23:06

Jaime is Hime I thought with a sort of hawking 'h'.
Joachim - hwakeem
Aneurin An- eye- rin
I don't know mind I'm just guessing....

Bluewater1 · 10/04/2020 22:48

Joachim
Idya
Angharad

isabellerossignol · 10/04/2020 22:45

Cillian is Killian

Carrie7469 · 10/04/2020 22:44

Cillian

Mc2020 · 10/04/2020 22:44

Sian is shaan
Mairead is my-rad
Odhran is O-raan (as in how you would begin to say orange)

JesmondDene · 10/04/2020 22:42

And Anais - Anay or Ana-ees?

JesmondDene · 10/04/2020 22:40

Alicia - Alise-a or Alee-sha
Similar for Lucia - Lus-ee-a or Luch-ee-a

I've had both names in pupils and pronounced both ways

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 10/04/2020 22:39

Hwakeem ish!

Bagadverts · 10/04/2020 22:39

For Indian background. Lots of Indian names I know how they should be pronounced but can’t seem to produce that sound as doesn’t appear in English. It’s embarrassing knowing I’m getting it wrong

BrassyLocks · 10/04/2020 22:37

Joachim. Heard it pronounce 'Yo-A-kim' but also knew a guy called Joe whose full name is Joachim. So is it 'Jo-a-kim'?

Aaron. Priest at school would say 'A-ron' but I hear people saying 'Arun'.

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