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Original poster

Ngaio - how would you pronounce it?

54 replies

JamesDavidsMum · 17/04/2009 17:30

Am expecting my second child Sept/Oct and would like this name for a girl - but worried as to whether it would ever be pronounced even remotely properly.

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GrendelsMum · 16/12/2009 19:20

Ny-oh, like Ngaio Marsh. Is cool.

LilyBolero · 16/12/2009 12:49

I knew it was Nyo, but only because I know a Ngaire.

Adair · 16/12/2009 12:47

Wow, never heard of NZ Ng/ny sound.

I would assume either African (so en-Gai-o, like Ngozi)
or Vietnamese (ng-Gai-o, like Nguyen)

interesting! Why not?

RnB · 16/12/2009 12:43

NY-O as in Ngaio Marsh

delphinedownunder · 15/12/2009 22:04

Ngaio is lovely as is Ngaire. And the spelling/pronunciation thing is no more challenging than Niamh. And Ngaio is quite a nice suburb of Wellington - I used to live there! It's a kind of tree I understand, whilst Ngaire means 'hold on' (referring to little ferns holding on to their mothers) or 'stubborn'. If you like NZ names, how about Rata or Tui or Roimata?

Jamieandhismagictorch · 15/12/2009 17:56

I have a name no-one can spell, and it is a pain. And it's not half as tricksy as Ngaio (though I do like the sound of it).

hocuspontas · 15/12/2009 17:24

It looks like an anagram just waiting to be unscrambled.

Clary · 15/12/2009 17:18

lol @ seeker's post.

I agree it's a pain to be forever spelling yr name (and mine is not even that unusual).

I would think it was nice if there was an NZ connection or parent was big fan of Ngaio Marsh, but otherwise it's a slightly curious choice.

wordsonascreen · 15/12/2009 17:13

Please please do not change the name to how you want it to be pronounced.

[horror]

Vivia · 15/12/2009 17:08

Ny-oh is the correct pronunciation and my cousin is called Ngaire (Ny-ree) which is also beautiful

MaggieAnFiaRua · 15/12/2009 15:59

that looks like a typo to me.

seeker · 15/12/2009 14:41

Naio. But I only know that because I am extremely old and grew up on Ngaio Marsh detective novels. NO ONE - and I mean NO ONE will be able to pronounce it. It will be a pain in the neck for her forever, honestly. I speak as someone whose name is always Cathleen-with-a-C-actually it's the irish spelling" She will be "Ngaio - that's Ng, yes the G is silent, yes it is unusual isn't it? It's a Maori name, no I'm not a Maori, my mother just likes it" for ever and a day.

edam · 15/12/2009 14:36

If I met a little girl called Ngaio, I'd be really pleased, as I'd hope her parents were fans of Dame Ngaio's books. Or, I guess, Maori, which would be interesting as I don't think I've ever met anyone who is.

mathanxiety · 15/12/2009 14:32

All the Vietnamese families I have ever known with the surname Ng pronounce it like the sound of the suffix '-ing', without the I. Like Bakasana says. I think 'En-jee' pronunciation might have been the result of a family giving up on people ever getting it right.

bakasana · 15/12/2009 05:19

It's pronounced Ngai-o, the ng sound is the same as 'ring' rather than 'finger'.

Hope this helps.

LtEveDallas · 22/04/2009 04:47

MrsMattie - I also have a friend who is called Ngozi - I wonder......

SpiceWeasel · 22/04/2009 04:32

Ngaire (Ny-ree) is nice too, and a not uncommon girl's name in NZ

And yes, Ngaio is Ny-oh and a suburb of Wellington to me as well.

Hulababy · 18/04/2009 11:27

I wouldn't have a clue, sorry.

But after being tod a couple of times would get there.

pranma · 18/04/2009 11:14

Nye-o
I love it-Ngaio Marsh author of great crime fiction

Quattrocento · 17/04/2009 19:45

Noooo - the G is silent

tiggerlovestobounce · 17/04/2009 18:54

I would have pronounced it Nyo,as I have heard of Ngaio Marsh.

Flamesparrow · 17/04/2009 18:23

"Guy-o" (the n sort of being hinted at but not actually said properly iyswim

Tortington · 17/04/2009 18:22

NNNN - gay - oh

MrsBoo · 17/04/2009 18:21

I know a lovley little girl called this - its pronounced nigh-oh -

seeker · 17/04/2009 18:11

5's a New Zealand name (I think). It's pronounced Nyo.