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Baby names

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Pronunciation of Eleanor

164 replies

SherbertLemons · 07/11/2021 00:39

Just that really.

How does everyone pronounce this name and what do you think of it?

OP posts:
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IVflytrap · 07/11/2021 15:25

I know one young Charlotte whose mother emphasise the "lotte", but every other Charlotte I have known is more like "sharlet", rhyming with scarlet.

ChildOfFriday · 07/11/2021 15:13

[quote TuftyMarmoset]**@OhGingleBells* I would assume Ella-nuh. To rhyme with Helena*

But Helena can be Helen-uh or Hel-ay-nuh to rhyme with Elena 🤣[/quote]
Or Hel-ee-na, like the island St Helena. There have also been threads on here with several debated different pronunciations of Elena, so that's not clear cut either!

I am from the Midlands originally and would instinctively pronounce Eleanor to rhyme with melon-uh and Charlotte as Shar-lut (probably not communicated that well but I wouldn't emphasise the -lotte).

potoforchids · 07/11/2021 12:53

Never ever heard Char-lott either! They even say Char-luhtt on TV in all circumstances I've ever heard.

KirstenBlest · 07/11/2021 12:34

I say Charlotte as Sharlot and Scarlet as Scarlit

Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 07/11/2021 12:15

@SecretKeeper1

Charlotte rhymes with scarlet, surely? Never heard it with an -ott sound at the end.
This!
MurielSpriggs · 07/11/2021 12:15

huh? of course it's - lott.
Where do you think Lottie comes from?

The same place as Betty. And all those people who say Elizabett Grin

SecretKeeper1 · 07/11/2021 12:14

huh? of course it's - lott. Where do you think Lottie comes from?

Never heard it pronounced like that and I know a few Charlottes. The royals don’t pronounce it with -ott like shallot either so it’s not a regional thing.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 07/11/2021 12:10

@SecretKeeper1

Charlotte rhymes with scarlet, surely? Never heard it with an -ott sound at the end.
@SecretKeeper1

huh? of course it's - lott.
Where do you think Lottie comes from?

MajorCarolDanvers · 07/11/2021 12:08

And Charlotte is Shar-Lot

MajorCarolDanvers · 07/11/2021 12:07

Its a common name where I live and in my family. Everyone I know pronounces it

Ella-ner

TuftyMarmoset · 07/11/2021 12:02

@RaraRachael

Where do people come from who pronounce Charlotte as Shar-luht?
Are there people who pronounce it any other way? Confused
SecretKeeper1 · 07/11/2021 12:01

Charlotte rhymes with scarlet, surely? Never heard it with an -ott sound at the end.

mrsm43s · 07/11/2021 11:57

@RaraRachael

Where do people come from who pronounce Charlotte as Shar-luht?
I'm from the SE and I've only ever heard Charlotte pronouced as Shar-luht, including when they talk about Princess Charlotte on the tv. I've never heard anyone pronounce it Shar - LOTT with the emphasis on the end syllable.
Littlefish · 07/11/2021 11:51

My daughter is one (UK born). Spelled Eleanor

We pronounce it Ellen-uh.

The only people to pronounce it Ellen-or have been a New Zealand friend and an Australian teacher.

So it seems there are very definitely geographical differences.

If I wanted it to be pronounced Ellen-or, I would have spelled it with an E at the end eg. Eleanore.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 07/11/2021 11:50

My experience is that Eleanor is pronounced Ellie Grin… even if you’re adamant your dd will never be called that.

bordermidgebite · 07/11/2021 11:50

I have heard

Elle A n

Lulu1919 · 07/11/2021 11:48

I know two
One is
El an ah
Other is
El a nor

bordermidgebite · 07/11/2021 11:47

Like in the song Lady Eleanor

Elle a nor

TuftyMarmoset · 07/11/2021 11:44

@OhGingleBells I would assume Ella-nuh. To rhyme with Helena

But Helena can be Helen-uh or Hel-ay-nuh to rhyme with Elena 🤣

MurielSpriggs · 07/11/2021 11:39

@eveningbubble

I just googled and it seems Ellen-uh is the English version, Ellen-ore is American. Because the r is just thrown in for looks?
Since when did English pronunciation ever get hung up on what letters were in the word? Grin
SirenSays · 07/11/2021 11:36

When I read it I think Ella-nore but around here no one would pronounce it that way. Its definitely Ell-en-uh here.

cortex10 · 07/11/2021 11:34

Reminds me of my late DM who never managed to remember the spelling and insisted on addressing my cousin's birthday cards 'to Helen-or'.

OhGingleBells · 07/11/2021 11:33

Not what you asked for but what about Elaina as another option? Very pretty and a little bit more unusual than Eleanor and with less pronunciation issues!

ILoveShula · 07/11/2021 11:27

Ell-en-uh

OhGingleBells · 07/11/2021 11:27

The one I know is pronounced Ella-nore to rhyme with door. She goes by Ellie anyway though. If I was reading it in any other context I would assume Ella-nuh. To rhyme with Helena.

If you want the version to rhyme with door I would see about a different spelling. Maybe with an e on the end?

I think it’s a nice name but chances are she’ll end up Elle or Ellie or even Ella. It’s one of those names that people want to shorten for some reason.