Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

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.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
SeaLettuce · 11/04/2020 21:32

@Hey Grin

Which @LizzieAnt? The Ríonach was that spelling and yes, the Conchubhair was the full shebang. I met him when he was just out of prison for not paying his tv licence because he didn’t think RTE provided enough Irish language programming.

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 21:22

@SeaLettuce
Did you actually know someone with that spelling?Shock I wouldn't be able to cope Grin. I though it was Conchúr these days?

Heygirlheyboy · 11/04/2020 21:21

A Royal pain GrinGrin

Mine was an Irish language lecturer, definite psychopath potential Wink

SeaLettuce · 11/04/2020 21:19

Yes, Ríoghnach is REE-un-och. I was at school with one, and she was a royal pain.

Now you’re talking, @Heygirl. Grin The only Conchubhair I’ve actually known was a total psychopath, too.

Heygirlheyboy · 11/04/2020 21:13

What about the ancient Irish for Conor? Conchubhair?! Grin

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 21:06

@Poppyfields21
I've never seen the spelling Cliodhnadh before. It must be really old. It's usually Clíodhna or Clíona, and as was mentioned above is pronounced Clee-uh-na.

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 20:56

Sorry @heygirlheyboy, cross posted. You explained it better. I think it's Ree-un-ock as you said.

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 20:52

@Sheslikethewind007
I've never met anyone of that name, but I think Rioghnach is pronounced Rio-nach, with nach to rhyme with Bach (sorry, that's the only way I can think to explain it). There's a fada on the i, so it's Ríoghnach strictly speaking. The gh is silent so it's also spelt Ríonach. I think that's right but I'm open to correction smile].

Heygirlheyboy · 11/04/2020 20:51

Is it an old Irish Ríona? Pronounced Ree-un-a. If not it's Ree-un-ock (with a nice guttural sound at the end Grin)
Clee-un-a: Cliodhadhna
Cat-ron-a does not sound right as there is an í in there giving the ee sound.
Thanks LizzieAnt tbf I don't know many in Ireland anyway but can only imagine the one pronunciation.

userabcname · 11/04/2020 20:49

Mia/Mya/Maya. I thought I knew how to pronounce these names (Mee-a/My-a/May-a) but my job as a secondary teacher has taught me I do not. There are millions of teenage girls with these names that can be pronounced interchangeably, irrespective of spelling. There are also fun other spellings such as Maia and Mayah and Miia, which may or may not alter the way they are said. It's an absolute minefield.

Poppyfields21 · 11/04/2020 20:45

Cliodhnadh

MaryHill · 11/04/2020 20:44

Archewell

Johnnor1 · 11/04/2020 20:43

I know a Catriona who pronounces it ‘cuh-trO-na

Sheslikethewind007 · 11/04/2020 20:39

Rioghnach - Its an Irish name I believe. Anyone know how to pronounce it??

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 20:23

@Heygirlheyboy
Yes, the Mad-eh-lyne pronunciation is becoming widespread elsewhere though. Just wanted to let people know there's an alternative that has the advantage of being close to the original French. Although ultimately it's a borrowed name there too of course.

SeaLettuce · 11/04/2020 20:22

God, @Margo34, Nuala is very old lady chic, only I haven’t noticed a revival. For me it’s a great-aunt name, or an ancient nun.

My mother (mid-70s) is technically Brigid, known as Bridie to her siblings and childhood friends and Breda to my Dad — and my sister (40s) is Bríd after her, and loathes it.

Heygirlheyboy · 11/04/2020 19:52

Also in Ireland!

Heygirlheyboy · 11/04/2020 19:51

Never heard Made-line, thought that was an American thing (Big little lies!)

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 19:51

@Gwenhwyfar
That's how they pronounce Madeleine. Madeline is MAD-uh-LEEN. It's pronounced differently.

Gwenhwyfar · 11/04/2020 19:29

"'m in Ireland and all Madeline's I know are pronounced Mad-uh-leen. It's how the French pronounce that spelling of the name too,"

No. In French it would be 'lehn' at the end.

LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 19:17

I think we're pronouncing it more or less the same @whatsausername. All agreed it's not Nola anyway Smile.

Original poster
whatausername · 11/04/2020 18:49

What LizzeAnt said re. Nuala. I'm not the best at typing out sounds!

OP posts:
LizzieAnt · 11/04/2020 18:39

@jhm740
I agree with @Zantedeschia re pronunciation. The original spelling is Tadhg.

Zantedeschia · 11/04/2020 18:32

@jhm740 Tadhg/Tadgh is pronounced a bit like Tiger but without the R. Tige

But in an Irish accent.

Never Tad

jmh740 · 11/04/2020 18:27

A character in a book I was reading was tadgh could even attempt that one, would love to know how it's pronounced

Swipe left for the next trending thread