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Baby names

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Original poster

How do you pronounce Tamar?

84 replies

Ouchmytoe100 · 02/07/2022 08:58

I have pronounced it Ta (with a short 'a' sound, like the 'a' in 'cat') - Mar (to rhyme with car). With the emphasis on the second syllable, the 'mar'. This is how I've heard it used by the only Tamars I've known (but none of them are British).

I posted another thread asking between Tamar and another name what was preferred and people mentioned pronunciation issues with Tamar and also one person said they wouldn't like the nickname 'Tay'. I was confused as I didn't understand where that nickname would come from? Now I'm wondering if there's another pronunciation used in the UK (something like 'Tay-mar'), which is assume much have the emphasis on the first syllable?

I love Tamar (said the first way) and although I don't like in the UK, I'm British and still have family wnd friends back home so don't want to choose a name that sounds horrible with the typical British pronunciation!

So how would you pronounce this name? Like me? Or the second way?

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MRex · 02/07/2022 09:28

T'mahr, but the only person I've known with the name had Israeli parents.

People mispronounce and mis-spell all sorts of names, make up their own nicknames etc. Eventually you have to go for something and lump it.

UnadulteratedCat · 02/07/2022 09:25

I always said TayMar but i am from the West Country.

But, I follow an amazing woodworker called Tamar and she told her followers how to pronounce her name and the history and Jewish background. The name is certainly nicer with this pronunciation than the river one.

HipHopBanzai · 02/07/2022 09:22

persephone19 · 02/07/2022 09:08

I've one known one, and she pronounced is T'mahr. I understood that this is the Hebrew pronunciation (she is Jewish) but I may be wrong

You've explained it better than me! This is how we pronounce my friend's name too.

HipHopBanzai · 02/07/2022 09:20

My friend, who is English, is called Tamar. She pronounces it Ta-mar with the emphasis on the 'mar'. It sounds like Tamara but without the a on the end.
She definitely doesn't pronounce it in the same way as the river.

Skelligsfeathers · 02/07/2022 09:19

Tay-mar....it's the bridge!

AwkwardSquad · 02/07/2022 09:19

Tay-mar. That’s how the Tamar I know pronounces it. Lovely name - strong and graceful.

NiqueNique · 02/07/2022 09:19

I like the Hebrew pronunciation a lot, tbf, but I think a lot of people are going to pronounce it with the Tay sound.

AbsoluteYawns · 02/07/2022 09:18

It's a Hebrew name. Ta-mar (like in car). It's meaning is 'date' as in the fruit.

Original poster
Ouchmytoe100 · 02/07/2022 09:18

persephone19 · 02/07/2022 09:08

I've one known one, and she pronounced is T'mahr. I understood that this is the Hebrew pronunciation (she is Jewish) but I may be wrong

This is a much better way to explain the pronunciation I use! I couldn't think how to explain properly. Your way is clearer than mine. I know Israeli Tamars too who say like this

OP posts:
KezzabellaB · 02/07/2022 09:18

I'm English. Tay-mar

Original poster
Ouchmytoe100 · 02/07/2022 09:17

SuspiciousDuck · 02/07/2022 09:13

Tay mar.
great name, beautiful river.

Maybe read the bible stories before you use it though.

I have read the bible stories which are the thing putting me off the name (well, one of the things, now I've realised there's pronunciation issues too)

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchmytoe100 · 02/07/2022 09:15

PandaOrLion · 02/07/2022 09:05

same as everyone else- like the river and the biblical name.

The biblical name is pronounced with the first pronunciation - not like Tay-mar. The Hebrew pronunciation is the first pronunciation.

OP posts:
SuspiciousDuck · 02/07/2022 09:13

Tay mar.
great name, beautiful river.

Maybe read the bible stories before you use it though.

persephone19 · 02/07/2022 09:08

I've one known one, and she pronounced is T'mahr. I understood that this is the Hebrew pronunciation (she is Jewish) but I may be wrong

RannisLord · 02/07/2022 09:07

The only Tamar I know pronounces it Tay-mar

PandaOrLion · 02/07/2022 09:05

same as everyone else- like the river and the biblical name.

TabithaTittlemouse · 02/07/2022 09:05

Tay mar as in the Tamar bridge?

The bridge gives me the rage. You have to pay to get in to Plymouth but not Cornwall. That’s not right!

SmileyPiuPiu · 02/07/2022 09:04

Dressingdown1 · 02/07/2022 09:02

I would say Tay-mar like the river between Devon and Cornwall

Same

ClocksGoingBackwards · 02/07/2022 09:04

I would say it the way you described it, but that’s because I’ve met people in other countries with the name.

stuntbubbles · 02/07/2022 09:04

Tay-mar. Never heard it the other way.

BitOutOfPractice · 02/07/2022 09:04

Tay-Mar

As others have said, it’s a river in the SW of England.

NoSquirrels · 02/07/2022 09:03

I’m British. I’ve never heard this name before, so I’d pronounce it TAY-mar, stress on the first syllable.

Tamar pronounced your way makes sense - Lamar, Tamara etc. But if I didn’t know the name and hadn’t heard it before I’d say it Tay-mar.

Akite · 02/07/2022 09:02

Tay-mar. As pp said, the river Tamar is in the south-west of England and is pronounced like that so it's likely to be the pronunciation more people would be familiar with I'd guess.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 02/07/2022 09:02

Yep, river between Devon and Cornwall is the Tamar pronounced Tay mar

I know a tamar pronounced as you would say it and she does get called Tay mar quite a bit

For some reason Tamara is easier for brits

ShadowoftheFall · 02/07/2022 09:02

Tay-mar. Never come across it as a persons name, only associate it with the estuary and holidays!