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Original poster

Esme pronunciation

136 replies

Buddhabowl · 17/01/2022 13:56

If you don't mind could you tell me how you would pronounce Esme and whereabouts you live? I like Ezmee but DH has only heard Ezmay.
I like both but just want to use a pronunciation that is least likely to be pronounced incorrectly.
I'm in the South East and until recently had only heard Ezmee but I'm getting the impression up north it is always Ezmay.
If it's too contentious I think we might go with Daphne instead!

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MinglingFlamingo · 17/01/2022 14:20

SW Esme. But have heard Esmay as well but not as common

Hugasauras · 17/01/2022 14:19

I'd always say Ez-may unless someone told me otherwise or I heard them pronounce it another way. If I was just seeing it written, then Ez-may. I know a few baby Esmés and they're all pronounced that way.

Sewing Bee Esme pronounces it Ez-mee doesn't she? But she has no accent on the second E I think.

WeeFae · 17/01/2022 14:19

Never heard of an Ez-me, always Ez-may. I've lived in both Scotland and east England.

Concestor · 17/01/2022 14:17

I'm in the South east, say it ezmay. I do know an ezmee but it sounds wrong to me as it's a French name.

inheritancetrack · 17/01/2022 14:17

Ezmay. Londoner living in Yorkshire. Never heard ezmee

Hohofortherobbers · 17/01/2022 14:17

I know one and she's always Esmee and I'm South East

Shmippy · 17/01/2022 14:17

It was my understanding that name wasn't French-French, but French via Scotland several centuries ago. Hence the pronunciation having diversified a bit.

SleepingStandingUp · 17/01/2022 14:16

Ez may here, Midlands.

Synchrony · 17/01/2022 14:15

SE Ez-mee. I knew two at uni (they'll be 40 now) and both were Ez-mee. I have only heard of the alternative on MN, and got the impression it was a recent thing caused by Twilight (unless spelling it the French way with an accent. I haven't seen Twilight by the way, so I could be wrong. It's just my thoughts).

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 17/01/2022 14:15

Midlands Ezmay, well that's how my dgds names pronounced

FelicityPike · 17/01/2022 14:15

Ez-May here too.
I haven’t heard Ez-Mee before.

Blubells · 17/01/2022 14:15

In French it's neither Esmee nor Esmay. Its Esmé. Pronounced Es mé. There's no -ay sound there.

So therefore in English you can use whatever pronunciation works best in English.

oncemoreunto · 17/01/2022 14:13

Ez-may Scottish background.

Snowiscold · 17/01/2022 14:13

I would say Ezmay, but I think Esmee is fine too- as you are using the anglicised spelling, so the anglicised pronunciation is also fine. Definitely do not write Esmé, which is incorrect for a girl.

Kitkat151 · 17/01/2022 14:12

Always Esmee ....I’m in the NW

52andblue · 17/01/2022 14:11

Ez-'may' - Scotland (via London)

TooManyPJs · 17/01/2022 14:11

Ezmay

LBear04 · 17/01/2022 14:10

Ez-may - I'm from the North. I've never heard it pronounced any other way.

mightbeyesmightbeno · 17/01/2022 14:09

Ez'may' - East Midlands

Shmippy · 17/01/2022 14:08

It's one of those names, like Evelyn or Helena, that will often be pronounced the 'wrong' way by people meeting her for the first time. Doesn't have to be a major issue though.

LadyDanburysHat · 17/01/2022 14:05

I'm Northern and say Ezmee. I prefer that pronunciation, but think Ezmay is more used.

Almostlegible · 17/01/2022 14:05

Ezmay, and Ezmy. South England.
I’d bear in mind that the young Esme is going to have to correct the pronunciation herself to others who get it wrong.

SecondTimeCharm · 17/01/2022 14:04

I have a close relative who says it Esmee. Gets both pronunciations all the time, I’d say an even split if I’m honest. We are South East. I would say Esmee unless the name was spelt specifically with an accent on the second e

WoodenReindeer · 17/01/2022 14:04

Only ever heard Es -me here in the south until very recently. I hadn't realised Ez-May wasn't an affectation and quite common pronounciation until mumsnet!

I love Es-me but would worry about the other pronounciation being the usual one.

NotAQueef · 17/01/2022 14:04

Ez-May here always too - grew up with a girl called Esmé. South East. French name, so pronounced accordingly.