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Original poster

Rian pronounciation

134 replies

Kolabioa · 25/08/2021 09:48

Hi all,

4 years ago we tested our daughters name for pronunciation here (on morning of registration!). It was really helpful & accurate so thought would try again now that we have a newborn boy. Preferred name is Rian, how would you pronounce:

  1. Ree-un
  2. Ryan
  3. Ree-ahn
  4. Ree-anne
Any others?

We may play around with spellings if there is ambiguity. Thanks again !

OP posts:
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Fizzysticks · 25/08/2021 19:05

It’s also a South African (Afrikaans) name, pronounced ‘Re un’

Chunkymenrock · 25/08/2021 14:28

@DacwMamYnDwad

It's a boy's name.

Rhian isn't pronounced Ree-un or Ree-anne, it's pronounced Rhian, Rh is one letter that sounds like R+H said at the same time, the i is ee, and the an sounds like the an in can..

It's pronounced exactly as ree-un (rhymes with Ian) here in South Wales where I live. It is not an to rhyme with can here.
OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/08/2021 14:19

[quote LizzieAnt]That's interesting Ochon. This is how I say Rian anyway (Munster/ Connacht version). Cian rhymes in my accent.

www.teanglann.ie/en/fuaim/rian[/quote]
I'm connacht so more emphasis on the i than the a. The Munster one seems to have a bit more emphasis on the a, which would be similar to how I say Cian.

I must say, I find is all interesting. For such a small island, we have massive variation in language.

Marmaladeagain · 25/08/2021 14:13

Rhian, although that doesn't seem to be an option? So I guess reean?

LizzieAnt · 25/08/2021 14:12

That's interesting Ochon. This is how I say Rian anyway (Munster/ Connacht version). Cian rhymes in my accent.

www.teanglann.ie/en/fuaim/rian

Lulu1919 · 25/08/2021 14:11

Ree Ann

I'd see it as a female name ...if I saw it written down

ofwarren · 25/08/2021 14:10

Ree ann and I would also assume girl

OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/08/2021 14:07

@LizzieAnt - Doesn't Cian have the elongated i sound too Ochon? It does in my accent at least.

It's a shorter i in my accent. Mind you, that's the problem with irish pronunciations and the different dialects.

LizzieAnt · 25/08/2021 14:05

The same as í I mean.

LizzieAnt · 25/08/2021 14:03

Doesn't Cian have the elongated i sound too Ochon? It does in my accent at least.

LizzieAnt · 25/08/2021 14:01

@Bbq1
Rian pronounced as Ryan is your friend's name and that's his/his parents choice (and a fairly popular one I'd say). But Rian is an Irish name and in the Irish language Rian isn't pronounced the same as Ryan - we learn it differently. So it's not at all 'obvious' that Rian should be said as Ryan as you said - that's what I was objecting to. I know some do say it like this and that's fine too, but Rian said as Ryan will cause an initial confusion for anyone who speaks Irish.

It wasn't the Irish name Rian the OP was talking about as it turns out, but it seems she doesn't say the Indian Rian like Ryan either.

DacwMamYnDwad · 25/08/2021 13:54

It's a boy's name.

Rhian isn't pronounced Ree-un or Ree-anne, it's pronounced Rhian, Rh is one letter that sounds like R+H said at the same time, the i is ee, and the an sounds like the an in can..

Megan2018 · 25/08/2021 13:42

Ree-anne and would think girl for sure.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/08/2021 13:40

@LizzieAnt - Rian doesn't need a fada. 'Ia' is pronounced ee-uh/ee-ah in Irish. Cian doesn't have a fada either, neither do words like dian, pian etc which rhyme with Rian. (The etymology of Rian isn't known with any certainly iirc, so it may not be derived from rí as many assume.)

Rian (or Rían) and Cian are not pronounced the same way though. I have only heard Rian pronounced as Rían with the elongated i that you would get from a fada.

Bbq1 · 25/08/2021 13:31

Why's that exactly Lizzie? Nobody ever calls the Rian I know anything other than Ryan. Surely we only pronounce Ryan as Ryan because we're told/learn that's how it's pronounced and the same for pretty much any name really?

Mamette · 25/08/2021 13:19

@LizzieAnt

1 but I know it as Rían. Not sure about Rian without any accent/ fada.

Rian doesn't need a fada. 'Ia' is pronounced ee-uh/ee-ah in Irish. Cian doesn't have a fada either, neither do words like dian, pian etc which rhyme with Rian. (The etymology of Rian isn't known with any certainly iirc, so it may not be derived from rí as many assume.)

I think you'll have trouble with Rian in the UK OP. Which option is your preferred pronunciation?

Good stuff. I only know one and he has a fada.
sorryforswearing · 25/08/2021 13:10
  1. I’d also think it was a girl.
LizzieAnt · 25/08/2021 12:58

Ah, I was wondering if it was Indian too. The pronunciations are the same anyway which is good Smile

WillaWeatherspoon · 25/08/2021 12:57
Original poster
Kolabioa · 25/08/2021 12:56

@LizzieAnt

1 but I know it as Rían. Not sure about Rian without any accent/ fada.

Rian doesn't need a fada. 'Ia' is pronounced ee-uh/ee-ah in Irish. Cian doesn't have a fada either, neither do words like dian, pian etc which rhyme with Rian. (The etymology of Rian isn't known with any certainly iirc, so it may not be derived from rí as many assume.)

I think you'll have trouble with Rian in the UK OP. Which option is your preferred pronunciation?

Option 1 - eg Ree-un. Rian is also a Hindu / Indian name (as well as Irish it seems)
OP posts:
LizzieAnt · 25/08/2021 12:55

But Rian isn't correctly pronounced as Ryan Bbq1.

Bbq1 · 25/08/2021 12:50

I know a male Rian
It's obvious it's pronounced as Ryan

Givemebackmylilo · 25/08/2021 12:34

Ree-un

Would assume girl

cirrusminor · 25/08/2021 12:28

@Esspee

4. Ree anne and I would assume child was a girl.
Same. It's very close to my name (I'm female) and "ree-anne" is closest to how mine is, though mine has very little ambiguity re pronunciation.
Piggy42 · 25/08/2021 12:21

@Esspee

4. Ree anne and I would assume child was a girl.
This