Opinions on Ivan (pronounced Ee-vahn)

I realised the other day that only about 3 people pronounce my name correctly.

You can police this as a child but as an adult, forget it.

Like Ivan Lendl? People may have to be corrected the first time they but it’s not a difficult pronunciation once you know it.

I really think that any name that needs constant explanation is unfair on the child.

By the way, some people on here and the 'why would you change how it's pronounced' attitude, as if the way they're used to something is the ONLY way

Appologies for my ignorance I've actually taught plenty of children with this name from middle eastern families and all have used the eye-van pronunciation so it's not from lack of experience on my part.

Their parents probably did so because they worried about the possibility of misprounciation and I do still feel it's a valid concern. If this child lives in the UK for example then his name will be pronounced Eye-van frequently. It's certainly worth considering how this may impact his life as it can be infuriating explaining it to everyone he meets.

It’s fine. Can’t believe how many people are telling you that you have the pronunciation wrong. It’s also pronounced that way in Spanish speaking countries. No one will think twice once you’ve told them how you pronounce it. My 4 year old just started in a reception class in London and I could probably only guess how to say 1/4 names correctly, but you only have to hear it and you know!

I know a girl called Ava. It's pronounced Aar-va rather than the more 'usual' Aye-va. Her mum very firmly corrected people the first couple of times it was said, and now everyone just calls her how she wants it to be pronounced. So go for it, you'll be fine. My child has a non English name and people get used to it v quickly.

By the way, some people on here and the 'why would you change how it's pronounced' attitude, as if the way they're used to something is the ONLY way

..pronunciation.
Would that bother you?
Like parents wanting to ensure a certain nickname isn't used, once they are in school who knows what they'll end up being called by their friends!

Op - is it pronounced as in the title or as in the post?
You've written it two different ways, as I said upthread.

Depending on your son's attitude to it he may end up with just his family using that

I would pronounce it I - van until told otherwise, at which point I would assume you are Russian.

You had to spell it out to us on how to pronounce it. Your son will do that for most of his life to people who don’t know.
Really like the name though 🤗

Once you had been told the correct Russian pronunciation, would you persist with the anglicised version, though?

As you can see OP, many people are unaware of anything other than the anglicised version, so it probably will lead to a lifetime off explanations.

Crossed with your post, in that case fine, it’s culturally correct for you. It will probably still Ve pronounced the English way a lot though so I’d prepare yourself for that

Ivan can be pronounced EE-van (Eastern European) or EYE-van (UK)

Both perfectly valid but if you live in one place and what to use the ‘foreign’ version then you’ll be forever explaining yourself. Some people don’t mind, some really do.

Are you Eastern European? In the UK it will be pronounced Eye-van and he’ll have to correct people all the time, but if you’re choosing that pronunciation because it’s correct for you culturally then fine, people will learn! Or accept that it’ll be pronounced the British way here. If you’re British and just trying to be creative with it, probably best not.

Or name him Even if you want it pronounced that way!?

In Welsh Ifan is pronounced Ee-van, is that an option? I would say I-van if I say your spelling.

It is crazy to call him a known name and then ask people to pronounce it wrongly. And in any event it has terrible connotations.

Please do not saddle your child with all this.

Why not just call him Ethan and have done with it.

I think if you want people to pronounce it E-van, you're going to have to spell it Evan. Because spelt Ivan, people will pronounce it I-van.

You can't just decide to change the pronunciation

They're not, they're proposing the use of the utterly normal Eastern Europe and Russian version.

Both you and he will have to have the patience to explain over and over again that is the Eastern European pronunciation (helps if the surname will obviously hail from there) and of course it will be easier for as long as people have heard of Ivan Lendl (though of course even he gets anglicised by many commentators)

If you don't mind doing that, then yes it's a lovely name

If you have to spell out the pronunciation in your post. You know the answer. He will be called Ivan and not Evan

His nickname will be “Even-Steven“