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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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VeryLongBeeeeep · 25/08/2021 12:18

@Wookydook

Ree-in. To rhyme with Ian as PP mentioned. Stress on the first syllable
This, but I'd also assume it was a girl.
RuthW · 25/08/2021 12:16

If you spelt it Rhian I would say Ree-ann and expect a girl.

LizzieAnt · 25/08/2021 12:14

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?

RuthW · 25/08/2021 12:14

I say Rye-un

Xenia · 25/08/2021 12:09

You might be better off with John or Edward.

It sounds like rain but you got the spelling wrong.

I would prounounce Rian as "Ree ann". It will saddle him with a name that sounds weird and like a girl's for life. He will not thank you.

Noshowwithoutpunch · 25/08/2021 12:06

3 as I was pretty sure it was a girls name. Rhian without the h.
A boy with that name I'd pronounce as Ryan and be a littleHmm

mafted · 25/08/2021 12:03

@Chunkymenrock

Rhian is the perfectly normal Welsh spelling of the female name, pronounced Ree-un to rhyme with Ian. Just use that if it's the pronunciation you want. Made up spellings are a bit OTT.
I don't know anyone that pronounces Rhian Ree-un.
TheBeautifulSouth44 · 25/08/2021 11:48
Mermaidpool · 25/08/2021 11:46

1 this is how the male Rian I know pronounces it

Cinnamon12345 · 25/08/2021 11:39

Rian is short for Adrian so pronounced like that.

BiBabbles · 25/08/2021 11:37

On first glance, Ree-ehn (though may sound like Ree-uhn or Ree-ane with my accent) like most -ian names I know, though I instantly rethought it could be Ryan.

SmallGreenStripes · 25/08/2021 11:25

4 and am reminded of the French word ‘nothing’

Doublethecuddles · 25/08/2021 11:24

@FlamingVictoria

When I lived in the uk, I would have said Ree-ann. I live in Canada now and there's a girl in my daughter's class called Rian and it's pronounced Ryan.
No.2
cariadlet · 25/08/2021 11:18

I haven't seen it before but would have assumed it was pronounced 4 and would have thought it was a girl's name because I'm familiar with the Welsh girls' names Rhian and Rhiannon.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/08/2021 11:16

@GemmaRuby

“Would this be more masculine ?”

No it wouldn’t, Rhian is a Welsh girl’s name

And Rian is an Irish boy's name Smile, although there is a fada on the i for the correct spelling (Rían).

I would pronounce it sort of like 1. The emphasis is on the first syllable.

Ryan is the English language version of the name.

SpringSparrow · 25/08/2021 11:08

I know two, both girls, both pronounced like number 4 Ree Ann

mrsmop21 · 25/08/2021 11:05

Ree Anne

Chunkymenrock · 25/08/2021 11:05

Rhian is the perfectly normal Welsh spelling of the female name, pronounced Ree-un to rhyme with Ian. Just use that if it's the pronunciation you want. Made up spellings are a bit OTT.

123ZYX · 25/08/2021 11:04

I initially thought it was intended as a girls' name, and thought it would be ree-ANN (like Rihanna without the last "a" sound).

When I realised it was a boy, I assumed the emphasis would move to the first syllable to rhyme with Kian.

Mamette · 25/08/2021 10:55

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

Chunkymenrock · 25/08/2021 10:55

Ree- un.

Enough4me · 25/08/2021 10:54

Ryan, but I'd say it quietly looking at the person waiting to see if that was correct as it would be my 1st guess.

CliffsofMohair · 25/08/2021 10:52

1, Irish in Ireland.
Discounted it for DS2 as was living in England. People thought it was a Welsh girl’s name, albeit a lovely one 😊

Original poster
Kolabioa · 25/08/2021 10:52

@WeatherwaxOn

Rihaan is an Indian boy's name that may be similar enough to what you're after, OP?
Yes thanks, that could be an option.
OP posts:
WeatherwaxOn · 25/08/2021 10:51

Rihaan is an Indian boy's name that may be similar enough to what you're after, OP?