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Original poster

Emmeline... pronunciation?

53 replies

crabette · 26/10/2020 12:44

I really like the name Emmeline... but in my head I always pronounce it Em-eh-lyn rather than Em-eh-LEEN, and I much prefer my (I assume incorrect!) pronunciation!

I'm not sure if this is partly accent - I'm west coast Scottish, and have a cousin Jacqueline who is sometimes referred to by various family members phonetically as Jacklyn, though I know Jack-eh-LEEN is correct.

How would you pronounce Emmeline? I don't really want to do a weird spelling variation - I know Emmelyn would be more obvious, but I think it is a bit of an invented spelling which puts me off!

I also thought of Evelyn and Emily - but don't love either quite as much.

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milienhaus · 26/10/2020 16:34

I would say “Lyn” like you OP! You are not alone. I have never known anyone called it though ... though I have know Jacqueline’s pronounced that way.

foxtiger · 26/10/2020 15:58

I pronounce it with "leen" but I have also heard it pronounced with "line" (like Caroline). I'd probably spell it with "lyn" if I wanted it pronounced with "lyn".

Spam88 · 26/10/2020 15:17

Definitely leen, like Emmeline Pankhurst ❤️ I've only come across one in baby classes and she pronounces it the same (she being the mother, not the baby).

Etihad · 26/10/2020 15:06

Babymoonpie I came in here to write exactly the same as you Grin

BabyMoonPie · 26/10/2020 14:54

It's my DD's middle name, named after Emmeline Pankhurst and pronounced Emma - lean

ZoeCM · 26/10/2020 14:53

Emma-leen. I've never heard it pronounced any other way.

Marmite27 · 26/10/2020 14:52

@happysunr1se

I thought it was pronounced emmer-line, with a ligh..nn sound. That is how Ben Folds pronounced it in his song called Emmeline
This is how the 3 I know pronounce it - I didn’t know there was another way!
fallfallfall · 26/10/2020 14:50

Emma line

RevolutionRadio · 26/10/2020 14:48

I would have said emma-lyn, though line would make sense with Caroline etc.

FelicityPike · 26/10/2020 14:41

Emma-line

merryhouse · 26/10/2020 14:38

Emmeline
has not been seen
for more than a week. She slipped between
the two tall trees at the end of the green.
We all went after her. Emmeline!
Emmeline! I didn't mean -
I only said that your hands weren't clean...

I think it's safe to say that A A Milne pronounced it leen Grin

(I've always pronounced Jacqueline with a -lyn, though)

ShrimpSymphony · 26/10/2020 14:34

Emma leen

JemimaTiggywinkle · 26/10/2020 14:15

I would assume Emma-Leen

MrsMoastyToasty · 26/10/2020 14:13
doctorhamster · 26/10/2020 13:42

Emma-leen

AlexaShutUp · 26/10/2020 13:38

Sorry, op, I would say emmeleen. Don't know the song!!

Diverseduvet · 26/10/2020 13:35

If you are not sure how to pronounce it maybe for your childs sake dont use it, because others will struggle as well, all her life.

MrsMoastyToasty · 26/10/2020 13:35

I always think of it being pronounced in the same way as the song by Hot Chocolate.

Peaseblossom22 · 26/10/2020 13:32

I know a couple of Emmelines both pronounce it Emma- leen, I think it’s a lovely name .

The problem with Emmalyn is that it’s, as a pp said, very like Emlyn

MissMarplesHandbag · 26/10/2020 13:29

Emma-leen

Your pronounciation sounds more like the male name Emlyn to me.

unmarkedbythat · 26/10/2020 13:28

Em- eh- leen, for me

I don't think I have ever met someone with the name, and the first thing I always think of when I hear it is Wilt (but I doubt many people make that association).

cushioncovers · 26/10/2020 13:26

Emma line

MimiDaisy11 · 26/10/2020 13:25

I hadn't come across anyone with this name in real life and only read it. I thought the "line" part was just like that is pronounced in English, like in the name "Caroline". I guess it's using French pronunciation. I remember now that -line pronounced -leen is the French way.

4amWitchingHour · 26/10/2020 13:18

@happysunr1se

I thought it was pronounced emmer-line, with a ligh..nn sound. That is how Ben Folds pronounced it in his song called Emmeline
Me too. First heard the name from the song, and any other pronunciation sounds very odd to me
happysunr1se · 26/10/2020 13:04

I thought it was pronounced emmer-line, with a ligh..nn sound. That is how Ben Folds pronounced it in his song called Emmeline