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Original poster

Who actually pronounced the last syllable in Eleanor like -nor?

166 replies

misslucy92 · 09/01/2023 14:15

This is mainly for people in the Uk and Ireland (or outside of the Us) as I know that in the Us -nor is used.

But I often read that in the Uk people say -na. I don’t know if I can explain it well but I mean -nor vs -na (sort of like Elena is said sometimes). But I only like -nor, personally.

So could I get away with naming her Eleanor and saying -nor in the Uk? Do some of you pronounce it -nor?

Does Elinor change anything?

sort of wondering if I could use -nor or whether I should look for a new name. I like both spellings Eleanor and Elinor.

Also name your region or where you are approximately (only if you feel comfortable).

Thanks.

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SquigglePigs · 09/01/2023 19:55

All four Eleanor's I know are pronounced El-en-uh or El-en-a (I'm not good with the phonetics). And they are from all over England.

Also in reference to abbreviations, one goes by Ellie or El, one is Ella and the other two (including a teenager) are Eleanor.

DashingWhiteSergeant · 09/01/2023 19:26

UsingChangeofName · 09/01/2023 19:25

.....and yet there are 3 pages of people who have explained it to you

Show quote history

I didn’t read all three pages - I just adding my tuppence worth.

UsingChangeofName · 09/01/2023 19:25

DashingWhiteSergeant · 09/01/2023 18:30

I cannot think of any way to pronounce it without -nor

.....and yet there are 3 pages of people who have explained it to you

Luana1 · 09/01/2023 18:44

In London and pronounce the 'nor' I know two Eleanor's and they both pronounce it like that.

Ladyofthelake53 · 09/01/2023 18:38

Different accents different pronunciations

Ladyofthelake53 · 09/01/2023 18:36

UsingChangeofName · 09/01/2023 17:42

Im Eleanor. Live in South, most people say nuh but i think its because they dont know how to pronounce it properly. Its not a common name, some have never heard of it.

"pronounce it properly" ???? Hmm

Get over yourself.
Having a different accent from you doesn't make anyone "improper".

Just saying its nor at the end so surely thats how it should be pronounced ?

I dont care how people pronounce it personally. Ive got an Essex estuary accent so El a nah is how most people pronounce it here and also how i say it if people ask.
Wind your neck in

Ontopofthesunset · 09/01/2023 18:34

Eleanor in my family is pronounced El-en-uh, as are the many other Eleanors we know. Regardless of whether the 'r' is sounded or not, there's still a difference in the vowel sound - 'uh/ur' versus 'awe/or'.

DashingWhiteSergeant · 09/01/2023 18:30

I cannot think of any way to pronounce it without -nor

Eleanorbeleanor · 09/01/2023 18:29

I’m another Eleanor- definitely “nuh” here (south Midlands), with the emphasis on the first syllable, though I cope if others pronounce the nor! Like a PP said, it’s like “doctor”, which I imagine is also pronounced differently if you have a rhotic accent.
To me if you want to emphasise the “nor” it’s a different, French name: ie Eleonore

greenspaces4peace · 09/01/2023 18:21

Canada: 3 syllables L-N-or

MadeForThis · 09/01/2023 18:20

Ella-nor. From N Ireland

usedtolovenaps · 09/01/2023 18:18

I'd say 'nor' at the end

Oldnproud · 09/01/2023 18:18

If you really really want the nor ending (soundwise), I would be tempted to add an 'e' at the end - 'eleanore^. The pronunciation is less ambiguous then!

WideDyedAndLegless · 09/01/2023 18:16

I know an Elinor and we've always pronounced it Ellinnuh, with emphasis on the first syllable.
Occasionally I've heard people say it as ElinOrr and it's sounded wrong without knowing why.
Close friends and family say Ellie though 😊

Athenen0ctua · 09/01/2023 18:12

I know someone born in England and the -er sound was the only one used by her family and anyone else. Moved overseas and everyone said the -or sound. Correcting people didn't help. So I think the dominant sound where you live is what you will get.

Teapleasebobb · 09/01/2023 18:07

I know 2 Elenors, one insists on being called Elen-or and the other is happy with Elen-er

APurpleSquirrel · 09/01/2023 18:06

My DN is an Eleanor - family all pronounce the -nor - we're from South & South West.
However she's mostly called Ellie.

maryofthevirginkind · 09/01/2023 18:01

For me (Derbyshire) Eleanor - ellener, Elinor - Ell in or.

electricmoccasins · 09/01/2023 17:44

Most people in the UK will pronounce ‘Eleanor’ with the Schwa sound (/ə/) at the end rather than ‘or’.

Whatever you choose, your child will ultimately decide when older how they wish their name pronounced - the one in our family has, and loathes the other pronunciation.

UsingChangeofName · 09/01/2023 17:42

Im Eleanor. Live in South, most people say nuh but i think its because they dont know how to pronounce it properly. Its not a common name, some have never heard of it.

"pronounce it properly" ???? Hmm

Get over yourself.
Having a different accent from you doesn't make anyone "improper".

TheBirdintheCave · 09/01/2023 17:37

I'm from Liverpool and the two I knew were both el-eh-nor. I was very confused when I first heard people pronounced it as Elena.

MoscowMules · 09/01/2023 17:26

Welsh speaker here and Welsh, I pronounce the "not" at the end.

MajesticElephant · 09/01/2023 17:24

Also anyone who harps on about the “correct” pronunciation makes me laugh. It’s clear there are multiple acceptable versions.

MajesticElephant · 09/01/2023 17:22

I’m an Eleanor and everyone (including me!), bar one person, ends my name with ‘nah’ or ‘nuh’. Im
in the South East but friends/family from all over. I also don’t like the -nor ending as I’m not used to it and don’t associate it with my name.

WitchDancer · 09/01/2023 17:21

Midlands, I would say El-an-nor

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