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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

I love a baby name but worried about mispronunciation

111 replies

MsSnow · 24/09/2022 08:43

I love the girls names Georgiana
pronounced George - ee - ar - nah
I know a lot of people say George - Jay - Nah due to the film with Keira Knightly. I know some people believe this the true pronunciation and others say it was an affection nickname used by very few and one being the Duchess.
I only like the first pronunciation (like in bbc pride & prejudice)
I know there is no other way I can spell it.
What do you think? Do you think it would get often mispronounced or not? Does it matter? Curious what thoughts are.
My other name i’m considering is Eliana.
thanks!

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LaLaLouella · 24/09/2022 09:10

I would pronounce it George - Jay - Nah - it's not silly, that's just how I've always heard it pronounced.

She will become a Georgie within about 5 minutes of starting school...

Montague22 · 24/09/2022 08:58

It might not get shortened. My name isn’t as I don’t like the short forms. No ever has as I’ve just said I prefer my full name. If you like it, use it.

PuttingDownRoots · 24/09/2022 08:57

Only ever known Georgiana as George-ee-ar-na, not that other way.

I have seen confusion over Georgia though... George-ah vs George- ee-aa

Cats23 · 24/09/2022 08:55

I pronounced it as you have.
It will get shortened though!

Cats23 · 24/09/2022 08:55

I pronounced it as you have.
It will get shortened though!

YellowTreeHouse · 24/09/2022 08:54

It will get mispronunced and she’ll spent her life explaining how to spell it and say it.

Not only that nobody is going to say such a long name - it’ll get shortened very quickly.

BuffaloCauliflower · 24/09/2022 08:53

I would say it the way you say it, a la OG P&P. Georg-ay-na is ridiculous. But as PP says it’ll be shortened to Georgie most of the time anyway

toastofthetown · 24/09/2022 08:53

I wouldn’t worry about it. Some people might pronounce it differently to you, so you just correct them. Many names have multiple pronunciations, such as Helena. Georgiana is such a long name, odds are she’ll end up with a nickname anyway.

For what it’s worth, I far prefer Georgiana to Eiliana (which has always felt a bit insipid to me).

ClocksGoingBackwards · 24/09/2022 08:52

I can only read the name Georgiana the way you want it pronounced, but then I haven’t seen the film you mentioned.

JadeTC · 24/09/2022 08:52

I like the name and would pronounce it in the way you'd like it to be pronounced but agree with pp that the name will end up being shortened to Georgie/George (lovely nicknames but may not be what you want). I like Eliana too but think people will shorten to Ellie so bear that in mind

Velvian · 24/09/2022 08:49

I think it is too long for everyday use. It will be shortened to Georgie and everyone will assume she is called Georgina.

I think both of your names are really open to constant mis-pronunciation and confusion.

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